Wednesday, 30 March 2016

TSO POPS - On Broadway

Playing some lesser known, but excellent compositions in the first half was a great prelude to the favourites performed in the second half. Very creative program, featuring amazing vocals and interesting casting in the choice of Darren Criss to sing Broadway songs, who absolutely excelled. It was a real treat to see Darren perform live (particularly as we are big Glee fans). The chemistry between him and the conductor was awesome, making this one of the most fun POPS concerts I have attended. Steven Heineke never lets us down!

Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Soulpepper - Blood Wedding

What started out as a love triangle amongst a long blood feud morphed into a surreal chase and then returned to the real world. Not quite sure it worked, but there were a number of stellar performances, particularly from the long suffering mother, and the music was lovely.

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Mirvish - The Judas Kiss

Oscar Wilde's blind devotion makes sense in this sensitive portrayal of love and deception and acceptance. The acting was amazing and the Italian paramour was definitely an enjoyable sight.

Sunday, 20 March 2016

Mirvish - GIG

Fun little romp about the music business,‎ featuring several very talented performers. Lots of great music. Enjoyable for the whole family.

Friday, 18 March 2016

Knightwood - Public Servant

Entertaining satire of the ‎public service, the changes under Harper and the seeming futility of dedicated public servants, doing their best to serve the government and the public good. You will undoubtedly experience some hilarious parallels to the administrative function in your office.


Thursday, 17 March 2016

Soulpepper - Jitters

A hilarious depiction of performance nerves and temperamental actors. Soulpepper did a brilliant job with this play - strongly recommended and will appeal to your teenagers as well.

Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Factory Theatre - A Line in the Sand

Extremely intense, this portrayal of two highly damaged people, coming from different sides of a war, ‎was not easy to absorb, but exceptionally presented. If you are interested in what drives human behavior in difficult circumstances, you will appreciate this play.

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Soulpepper - The Just

The concept of dying for a cause has always been a mystery to me. ‎In this play the eloquence of revolutionary fervor was nicely balanced with the reality of terrorist acts. The dialogue was expertly delivered in a steady and measured way.

Sunday, 6 March 2016

Acting Up Stage Company - Grey Gardens

Based on a true story of a reclusive mother and daughter, living in their dilapidated mansion after they fell into financial difficulty, this play felt a little voyeuristic. Particularly intriguing is the relationship with the Kennedy's. It is, in its own way, charming and Lisa Horner was awesome in both roles.

Friday, 4 March 2016

Theatre Paisse Muraille - Pyasa

An incredibly talented actor effortlessly segued back and forth between mother, daughter and her boss. While this one person play was not an uplifting portrayal of what life is like for the "untouchables" in India, ‎it was both touching and thought-provoking.

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Factory Theater - Salt Water Moon

Fabulous show, extremely well done on a "naked" stage, beautifully enhanced by the musical narrator. The romantic story flowed really well, drawing you into their emotions, deftly portraying the impact of war and the economic times on a small community.

Tuesday, 1 March 2016

National Geographic Live! - K2: Danger and Desire on the Savage Mountain

I cannot identify with someone who scales a mountain in -27 degree weather, just because it's there. One in four people have died trying to summit K2. While Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner clearly has a lot of respect for the danger, it is still amazing to reflect on her incredible patience and ability to maintain reason when things are not going well and the temptation to forge ahead is very strong. A really fascinating example of crazy people.