- MaxQ Productions
February 1942. In the darkest depths of the Second World War, a Winnipeg businessman hatches a brilliant scheme to sell Victory Loans and supercharge the flagging Canadian war effort. The plan? Stage a fake Nazi invasion of the city. What could possibly go wrong?
From the creator of the 2024 Fringe hit Nuclear Family, If Day is an absurd and timely comedy of errors inspired by true historical events.
To the creators of this show. Firstly I have to say that I didn’t see this show, but my dad who is just shy of 89 watched some news coverage about it and it brought back memories for him. He was 5 years old when his dad, a Ukrainian immigrant, walked down to Euclid and Main with my dad’s two older brothers to watch this event. My dad remembers vividly this event and being only 5 and hearing news and talk about the war at that time, he thought it was real. I wanted to take him to your show but his and my mom’s mobility are poor so it would have been too difficult. Anyway, I wanted you to know that just the fact that you brought up a piece of Winnipeg history through the Fringe, put a smile on my dad’s face as he reminisced. Thank you.
Great cast. They really know how to deliver the lines. Play could be workshopped a bit more, but has the makings of a great play, with a few tweaks. They said they were going to film the show. Tight editing might help with the transitions. Hate to be negative because it was a good performance
With Nazism seemingly on the rise in the western world, this show could be very triggering for those directly impacted by the holocaust. The (somewhat embellished) history the play presents is interesting – as has been the case for the inspiration behind all of Gilles’ plays that I have seen – but the lack of sympathetic characters and the odd attempts at cartoonish humour in the midst of an otherwise very serious and disturbing plot made for an uncomfortable watch at times.
In short, it’s an interesting, artistic take on a piece of Winnipeg’s own history, and very well performed, but viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Honestly one of my favorite Plays ! It was really amusing to watch, the actors clearly liked to play in it, and are very passionate by their characters. At the point where they learned some german lines ?? I think it shows lots of motivation and investment. Big shoutout for the secretary, Kenny, and his uncle Max. Both those actors were capable of making me laugh and smile during the all play, even for scenes I wasn’t able to fully understand (as a not Canadian native, my english was sometimes giving me hard time). But the comedy was good enough for me to appreciate every moments, as ridiculous as they were. And knowing that it comes from an actual historical event, it’s a Big bravo !
In conclusion, all the actors deserve my best applaused for their beautiful performance 🙂
IF Day was an amazing reenactment of the titular event! I was able to catch the Wednesday show and it was a full house! The actors delivered amazing performances with many instances of just using hand gestures to communicate their expressions. A huge shoutout to comic relief character Kenny Baker! This performance had the whole audience roaring with laughter! There was a great dynamic between all the actors and their parts flowed and synced well with each other.
I highly recommend checking out this show! I would give it all the stars!!!
What could’ve been an interesting exploration of an unknown aspect of Winnipeg history… isn’t. While the actors do their best (and give some good performances), the script and directing style are extremely dated and tacky, and the script needed one if not several more sensitivity readers and dramaturges (and consideration on whether this is an appropriate topic for the current political climate). Some big laughs, to be sure, but is it worth going for laughs when it could’ve been so much more?
Robbed of a rintoul nom.
Risky content with maximum reward.
Eccentric flow and lots of comedy.
Loved it. 🥰
I really enjoyed learning about a unique corner of Winnipeg’s history through this play. It brought to life what it would have been like to live through this brief snapshot of time. It had captivating character development, particularly in the unfolding of the two parent-child relationships. I appreciated the real footage of Winnipeg events through the onstage screen at both the onset and outset of the play. Well crafted!
I really enjoyed this show! It’s a (purposefully) ridiculous take on a real historical Winnipeg event that I thought played so well to a Winnipeg audience. The actor playing the Hollywood director was a stand out, with entertaining performances from the whole cast. Sometimes Fringe gets oh so serious, which has its place, but this one gives you permission to have fun 🙂
This is a great show that balances historical relevance and humour quite well. If you like Mel Brooks, you’ll definitely love this one.
It’s worth mentioning that this play balances a big cast of characters, both men and women, who are shown to be independently strong and still able to learn and get help from others. Characters that seemingly start off as comedic bits actually end up playing key roles in the story. In this sense the play is very efficient, all characters have their own goals and wants to accomplish and it is satisfying to see their arcs pay-off in the end.
And beyond the comedy and the outrageousness of the situation that characters find themselves in, there’s something underneath for the audience. No one really knows how they would act under situations of extreme tension, this play shows how war (or at least the illusion of it) will bring out the best and worst sides of humanity at the same time.
A zany look at a historical event revolving around an elaborate stunt having a German attack on Winnipeg in February 1942. At the afternoon show, about 70+ were in attendance and the large troupe of eleven actors and playwright got a standing ovation from a few people.. It was a very spirited performance with some real star turns, Johnny Canuck in the opening scene and the ditzy secretary and Johnny’s girlfriend and mother stood out. Great set and costumes/outfits as well as the use of period newsreels and music lent some authenticity. Sound was a bit indistinct when Mr. Perrun was moving about.
This show was fantastic, a farcical look based on a REAL EVENT I had no idea about in the city I was born and raised in! The actor playing Johnny was stand-out, he’s got a very bright future, reminded me of a golden-age hollywood leading man. Highly recommend this for history buffs and lovers of comedy!
As a proud “jewess” myself, I was thrilled with this show. Beautifully done and hilariously farcical, but still tender in the serious moments. I could swear I saw my mother and grandmother up there, and almost cried. Mazel tov!
Went to If Day not quite knowing what to expect from the play, which is a farcical twist on the actual historic events (which were interspersed in newsreels throughout). It was a tonne of fun, and there were some fantastic performances! Lots of laughs from there very appreciative audience we attended with…bravo! 🙌
Came out to see this show on Saturday the 19th. And despite the subject it was unexpectedly really funny! All of the characters/actors really shined no matter how small!
Knowing about the true story of If Day, this comedic and exaggerated reenactment really bought to light the spirit of winnipeg and the whimsy of fringe.
The actors were also all phenomenal and it really feels like they rehearsed for a long time. They all really have a connection on stage (and hopefully off).
My only critique would be the swastiki on displa for quite a long time during the show. I understood the point of it there but maybe a short moment would have sufficed!
Beautiful show and wonderful fringe experience through and through.
Go watch if you want an intentionally ridiculous take on the infamous events of “If Day!”
I was hoping for a satirical commentary on wartime nationalism but instead sat through a propagandistic piece that felt like it was written in 1942. Relying on slapstick comedy and rampant homophobia for cheap laughs, it was difficult to stay awake through the 90-minute production. There was no suspense, no character growth, and was an upsetting portrayal of Winnipeg. Very disappointing.
This show was amazing and loved everyone’s performance! Definitely could see everyone’s hard work and enthusiasm🤌🏻.
Made me laugh so hard😆!!
Considering the premise, I didn’t think I would be laughing as much as I was!
Somebody needs to talk to them about their gun safety.
Not only did the cast blatantly flag the audience multiple times. Blatantly pointing the gun towards the audience. But also they were physically choking their fellow actors to the point they were turning purple
I hope this comes from a place of ignorance. And not a callus disregard for the safety of their actors and audiences.
Beyond gun safety. The script takes a real historical event and makes an absolute mockery of it. Without any subtlety or grace that might’ve made for an interesting plot .
Instead we’re left with a abysmally bad script with no level of thoughts or concern for the delicate subject matter. A show that reduces their Jewish characters down to
Anti Semitic stereotypes. Projects a swastika onto the back of the stage for over half the show and overstays it’s welcome at a 75 min run time
Avoid this show for your physical and mental safety. I wouldn’t recommend you see it even for free.
“What the f**k was that?”
This was the sentiment leaving the theatre by many on opening night. The loosely based story of a real mock Nazi invasion plan of Winnipeg in 1942 to drum up support for the war effort and encourage citizens to buy victory bonds certainly took liberties with the event. Had it been completely historically accurate, it may have been a great theatrical educational piece. Instead, the over use of “Heil Hitler” (arm and all) the many references to the “lesser” people, and the stereotypical orthodox Jewish mother (pray she was cast appropriately) took it too far.
Not only did this script need many, many, revisions, but the performers clearly could have used a lot more time in the rehearsal room…or maybe just a director who could wrangle this cast together while also keeping the novice playwright in check.
Wednesday evening, my first show of the Fest. You guys looked like you were having so much fun on stage. All the best for the Fest.