Manitoba Underground Opera
Sweat is a bold and socially charged a cappella opera by composer Juliet Palmer and librettist Anna Chatterton. At a moment when labour rights are rapidly deteriorating and union-busting remains widespread, Sweat offers a pointed and necessary artistic expression.
The opera unfolds in a garment factory where unsafe working conditions, long hours and fear of dismissal rule everyday life. A new worker arrives and dares to advocate for collective action. Instead of progress, the workers are locked inside the factory when a red carpet fashion moment sends consumer demand soaring.
Directed by Melissa Langdon & Shannon Hiebert.
Cast includes Queen Hezumuryango, Carmen Harris, Amanda Smith, Jayden Fraser, Kris Cahatol, Karen Santos, Sonia Campbell, Meghan Symon and Joanna Loepp Thiessen
Go see Sweat and let it enrage you! Devastating line deliveries, poignant messaging, and stunning opera… All acapella, too?!
Soo many goosebumps experienced in such a short amount of time. First live opera for me! 🙂
The vision for this production is just Stunning. The use of the fabric in this show having multiple purposes (my favourite type of theatre) is so extremely effective it hurts. I literally sit and wonder how the cast warms up for an opera like this within the confines of Fringe! Just beautiful and breathtaking in every aspect. 5/5 for sure
I have seen the Manitoba Underground Opera at many other venues, and they never disappoint! The vocal techniques are especially exquisite in this performance and the utilization of props is so creative and clever! You’ve got to see it!!
I am so glad they were at the Fringe this year! 4.5/5
An incredibly powerful work. This opera is accessible to anyone, whether you’ve seen opera before or not. A visually-stunning, deeply moving work. Some great moments of levity in the midst of a powerful commentary on consumerism and capitalism that make the viewer reflect on their own participation and culpability in situations of oppression. An impressive musical feat, in which the vocal ensemble is responsible for all of the music and body percussion in the show.
The opera Sweat tackles important and timely themes. Powerful voices are raised pointing out the unfairness and despair of sweatshop work; still alive and well on our planet. It also portrays the conflict, danger and risks associated with trying to establish a workplace union. This play has many messages about how people can be manipulated and taken advantage of by companies and sometimes by their peers. The voices are gorgeous, the acting is persuasive and the staging is simple yet evocative. A great performance by The Manitoba Underground Opera.
The voices of the ensemble truly filled the stage in a way that made me forget there was no instrumental to back them up. Just strong voices always feeling the stage until those moments where they stop and the quiet resonates with the audience louder then any monologue could. An important story to sing, and a wonderful thing to watch as my second fringe show of 2026!