Tuesday, 26 July 2016

Soulpepper - A Doll's House

Clever masquerade of marital bliss and transition to independence, set in a time period where this would have been a great struggle. The feeling of being held back is palpable.

Friday, 15 July 2016

TIFF - VR Pop Up #2

A little disappointing, as I spent way more time waiting in lines than experiencing the VR stories. Could not possibly get to everything that interested me. However, although I only did less than half in my 2 hour time slot, what I saw was pretty cool. I can see the potential to enhance the learning experience, based on the conversation generated by the experiences of isolation in prison, animated story, passenger on a car trip, etc. Overall pretty impressive.

Sunday, 10 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - Kneel! Diamond Dogs

Awesome end to our Fringe marathon. Upbeat and hilarious one man schizophrenic show channeling Neil Diamond and David Bowie. Absolutely loved it and a clear audience favourite - what a versatile performer.

Toronto Outdoor Art Show

A little smaller than in the past - looks like the show has dropped the new artists' section. However, still lots of high quality ceramics, sculpture, jewellery to choose from. And in a fabulous outdoor venue. One of my favourite art shows.

Toronto Fringe - Cam Baby

All of the too familiar social media hazards - stalking, privacy, relationships, access, too much sharing - are explored in this play. How far is too far and what is forgiveable. Extremely well done and an outstanding cast.

Saturday, 9 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - Waking

Horrific experience, tenderly expressd - trapped in an endless loop, I can't imagine the toll this would take on a family. Very impactful, the emotions evoked continue for some time after the play ends.

Toronto Fringe - Denmarked

Interesting interpretation of Prince Hamlet's encounter with his father's ghost and his decision to seek redress. We are curious to see what comes next from this young theatre company, in particular whether the clown will be a recurring feature.

Toronto Fringe - Out

Outstanding one man show about growing up. An extremely versatile performer, playing several characters, sometimes in rapid succession. One of our favourites.

Toronto Fringe - Persephone

A familiar story, creatively retold with the use of bodies as props. A very well cast Persephone, believably selfish and righteous.

Friday, 8 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - The Harvester

Definitely one of our top picks, with outstanding acting and a story that held you throughout. Providing food for thought, we continued to speculate after the show how we might behave in similar circumstances.

Wednesday, 6 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - Absolute Magic

If you like magic you absolutely have to go see this fantastic show. A very talented and personable guy, with lots of audience participation and amazement.

Toronto Fringe - Curious Contagious

Curious is definitely a good word to use to describe this performance. A lovely little story, beautifully told through shadow puppets and overhead projector, the latter with sticking drawings and colours. A very visual experience.

Toronto Fringe - Pirate Queen of the Stars

Its difficult to comment on this play. The props, story and dialogue reminded me of a high school drama production. But the music, singing and acting talent were great.

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - For The Record

A site specific show, it was pretty cool to follow the actors around Kops Record Store as they played out various memories from Mom. The mother/daughter interactions were easily relatable. A nice nostalgic show.

Toronto Fringe - Wierd: Witches of MacBeth

Incredible interpretation of the Witches scene from MacBeth. Very talented ladies, so believable as Witches and delivering complex dialogue while performing aerial acrobatics. Sort of Cirque meets Shakespeare. Highly recommended.

Toronto Fringe - Inch of Your Life: Episode 1

Great ensemble. Interesting characters and I loved the way the story unfolded in vignettes, crashing together in the end. Can't wait for episode 2.

Monday, 4 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - Instagraham

OK, so now I want to get an Instagram account so I can also start sharing the wierd and wonderful things we see every day, but sadly I won't have Graham's witty commentary.

Toronto Fringe - Life After

Excellent coming of age musical featuring a father/daughter relationship. Wonderful show, awesome score, perfectly cast with strong performances all around. Another show you should book now because the buzz will sell it out.

Toronto Fringe - Scenes From Plays I Never Wrote

Imagine a writer, blocked and despondent, given one last chance to finish a script. Great foil for the dexterity of the actors, jumping from plot to plot. The actors playing the conscience and the female lead of the play within the play were outstanding.

Toronto Fringe - How Do I Mate You

Not being a big fan of game shows, I am probably not a good judge of this play - a deliberately confrontational couples game show, with all the usual twists and turns, bad behaviour, etc that you would expect couples with low EQ to exhibit. While there are some good gags, it doesn't quite hit the mark.

Sunday, 3 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - Peter vs Chris

What more can we say about Peter and Chris. With a loyal following, this symbiotic duo are all-in for their performance, and they are not above abusing their audience in a way that makes us love them even more! Another show we expect to be sold out early.

Toronto Fringe - Into

Imagine you get stuck in a month's long traffic jam. Four unrelated and seemingly incompatible people, freed from the anonymous cocoon of their cars, develop an interesting bond and unusual relationships ensue. Charming and somehow surreally real, this was an audience favourite.

Toronto Fringe - Bright Lights

Featuring some of our favourite Fringe artists (Morro and Jasp, Peter 'N Chris), this alien abduction tale was loaded with laughs, both subtle and in-your-face. Word has clearly gotten around on this talented cast - the show was sold out. Book your tickets now!

Toronto Fringe - Like a Fly in Amber

If you are one of the sandwich generation you will identify with this old style musical about the relationship between a boomer daughter and her mother, whose health is failing. Made me re-assess how I might spend more time with my mother.

Toronto Fringe - VIP Brunch at Insomnia

Donate generously to the Fringe and they will invite you to their VIP brunch at one of the hottest brunch locations in Toronto, with no line-up!

Saturday, 2 July 2016

Toronto Fringe - Falling Awake

Incredible physical comedy takes us deftly from one dream sequence to another. This duo, making their Toronto Fringe debut, charmed the audience.

Toronto Fringe - The Fence

Lovely series of pop song and dance numbers about the transition from teen to young adult, with a large talented cast. We hope the song writers will turn their attention to writing full length musicals with a story. Get your tickets now as this one will sell out fast.

Toronto Fringe - The End

Highly recommended apocalyptic view of a future metro city, with an old fashioned love twist and an idealistic budding actress. Lots of laughs and Grandma in particular was awesome.