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One of the great things that happens in the summer here and in other places across Canada and North America in general is the Fringe Festivals and it's really marvelous, some of the acts that come out of it and it also provides a sort of sociological release for some of the more dangerous elements in society because the arts tend to be a magnet for lunatics. Well enough about me. Let's hear from The Leathers Brothers.   Lorne Elliot - Host of CBC Radio's Madly Off In All Directions

Enough About Me. Let's Hear From The Leathers Brothers

When I was in journalism school I wrote a radio comedy script as my major project. A couple of years later I went to my very first Winnipeg Fringe Festival and saw a show called Alexander Graham Bell I Want To Have Your Love Child, a comedy revue of the communications industry. I really enjoyed the show. As I left the theatre I thought of that script and thought it would be a good idea if it went to work and earned its keep rather than sitting around all day gathering dust. I suggested to my brother Graham that we should try the Fringe next year. Have Degree Will Work For Food opened the next summer and was a surprise hit. We've been featured in nine more Winnipeg Fringes since then. We also spent four summers on the Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Edmonton circuit. One of the high points was telling David Cheros, then director of the Edmonton Fringe and the same fellow who directed Alexander Graham Bell that I started doing Fringe after seeing that play. David's delight was very flattering

Graham and I took our last bow together as Fringe performers during the summer of 2005. I won't rule out returning to the Fringe but it will be with something different. The Fringe was good to us and it led us to some bigger things, not the least of which was an appearance on CBC Radio's Madly Off In All Directions with Lorne Elliot featuring such luminaries as Al Rae, Bowser and Blue and Brent Butt.

One thing to watch is the upcoming Gas Station Theatre Repertory Theatre Company featuring Winnipeg talent. Graham and I are in on the ground floor and we're looking forward to new things.