A lovely Christmas play to get you in the mood. Hungarian Miklos Laszlo wrote this in 1937, and it became the basis for two movies - The Shop Around the Corner, and You've Got Mail.
Oliver Dennis and Patricia Fagan play the unknowing lovers, ably supported by Michael Simpson, Joseph Zeigler and Jeff Lillico as fellow employees.
Lillico is hilarious as the apprentice - he must be older than he looks, as we've seen him in these young roles for years, but he gets funnier all the time.
Morris Panych directed and Ken Macdonald designed a lovely confection of a set.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
7 Stories
I am not a big Morris Panych fan, but I thought this was fascinating. The premise is odd - a man standing on a wall planning to jump to his death is interrupted by the inhabitants of the building, all of whom have strange lives to share.
The play is described as a comedy and there is no doubt that it is funny. But it is also an observation on the absurdity of life and the strange ways people try to cope. The use of the Magritte painting of the man in the bowler hat, with the apple in front of his face reinforces the absurdity of it all.
Good cast - especially Peter Anderson as The Man.
The play is described as a comedy and there is no doubt that it is funny. But it is also an observation on the absurdity of life and the strange ways people try to cope. The use of the Magritte painting of the man in the bowler hat, with the apple in front of his face reinforces the absurdity of it all.
Good cast - especially Peter Anderson as The Man.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Hamlet
Two hours and no intermission - how can you do it? The only other version of Hamlet that has ever made sense is the Kenneth Branagh movie and it ran four hours!
This production has been stripped down to the Revenge Tragedy components, eliminating the philosphical ruminations and the comic buts thrown in for the groundlings that exist in the full play.
What remains is fast paced and gripping. The staging with audience on two sides of a centre stage was effective - it suggested watching a sporting event, of a particularly violent and bloody nature.
The cast was fabulous, with one exception - Steven McCarthy - who played Horatio. He seemed too tentative and weak and never did figure out what to do with his cane.
Gordon Rand was brilliant as Hamlet, never mad and always angry. Benedict Campbell as Claudius was real and fully present and Eric Petersen was a nasty bully as Polonius, not the usual bumbling fool.
I loved this production and gave it a standing ovation!
This production has been stripped down to the Revenge Tragedy components, eliminating the philosphical ruminations and the comic buts thrown in for the groundlings that exist in the full play.
What remains is fast paced and gripping. The staging with audience on two sides of a centre stage was effective - it suggested watching a sporting event, of a particularly violent and bloody nature.
The cast was fabulous, with one exception - Steven McCarthy - who played Horatio. He seemed too tentative and weak and never did figure out what to do with his cane.
Gordon Rand was brilliant as Hamlet, never mad and always angry. Benedict Campbell as Claudius was real and fully present and Eric Petersen was a nasty bully as Polonius, not the usual bumbling fool.
I loved this production and gave it a standing ovation!
Stuff Happens
A group of talking heads, but my oh my, what they had to say! Combining actual quotes with speculation about what was said behind closed doors, this is a fascinating review of the George W Bush era.
Michael Healey looks nothing like Dubya, but captures him brilliantly . Great performances by Hardee Lineham as DIck CHeney, Karen Robinson as Condoleeza Rice and David Fox as Donald Rumsfeld, Richard Binsley as Paul Wolfowitz and Nigel Shawn Willams as Colin Powell, with a strong supporting cast of journalists, bureaucrats, politicians etc, kept you glued to your seat, even though you know what happens. It's not the plot, but the process that is important.
It is a very time specific play, but may survive as a general portrait of political greed and hubris.
Michael Healey looks nothing like Dubya, but captures him brilliantly . Great performances by Hardee Lineham as DIck CHeney, Karen Robinson as Condoleeza Rice and David Fox as Donald Rumsfeld, Richard Binsley as Paul Wolfowitz and Nigel Shawn Willams as Colin Powell, with a strong supporting cast of journalists, bureaucrats, politicians etc, kept you glued to your seat, even though you know what happens. It's not the plot, but the process that is important.
It is a very time specific play, but may survive as a general portrait of political greed and hubris.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Rocking the Cradle
Continuing in our theme of disfunctional fmaililes, Des Walsh wrote this play about a Newfoundland family that is disfunctional becuase it is not a family - there are no children. Vince and Joan appear never to have discussed whether they want children before they married. She does - desperately; he does not, definitively. What he wants is a house with a wife in it - literally. She should stay home and be waiting for him. The results of this lack of communication are fatal.
The cast was unknown to us as they are generally from the east coast, largely from Newfoundland. But very experienced and very talented.
The staging used a scrim in front very effectively to present weather, windows and to reflect the Newfoundland mummer tradition. I thought it would be irritiating, but it was not.
So, no drugs, no incest, some alcohol and a lot less shouting - more quiet desperation. But still a disfunctional family.
The cast was unknown to us as they are generally from the east coast, largely from Newfoundland. But very experienced and very talented.
The staging used a scrim in front very effectively to present weather, windows and to reflect the Newfoundland mummer tradition. I thought it would be irritiating, but it was not.
So, no drugs, no incest, some alcohol and a lot less shouting - more quiet desperation. But still a disfunctional family.
Monday, November 9, 2009
That Face
The night after August: Osage County, we saw That Face - a British drama about a disfunctional family with drugs, alcohol and incest and a lot of shouting.
Polly Stenham wrote this play at age 19, so she is definitely someone to watch for in future.
Sonia Smitts staggers and flounces around the stage as the Mother, who has descended into drug and alcohol fuelled madness. It is not clear if this is the result of her husband's departure or if he left because of it. But, when he left, he abandoned his children to her care and avoided thinking about the consequences. The son has tried too hard to look after his mother; the daughter who is perhaps the one character who sees clearly, has cped by developing a skin of cynicism.
A couple of underlying themes here - bullying and the offical response to it; the ability of the rich to buy their way out of problems; and the responsibility for the first family, including the ex wife.
Seeing this the night after Osage County highlights the difference between the Amercian and British view of disfunctional families - the Americans hate each other; the British love each other but are desperate to get away.
Polly Stenham wrote this play at age 19, so she is definitely someone to watch for in future.
Sonia Smitts staggers and flounces around the stage as the Mother, who has descended into drug and alcohol fuelled madness. It is not clear if this is the result of her husband's departure or if he left because of it. But, when he left, he abandoned his children to her care and avoided thinking about the consequences. The son has tried too hard to look after his mother; the daughter who is perhaps the one character who sees clearly, has cped by developing a skin of cynicism.
A couple of underlying themes here - bullying and the offical response to it; the ability of the rich to buy their way out of problems; and the responsibility for the first family, including the ex wife.
Seeing this the night after Osage County highlights the difference between the Amercian and British view of disfunctional families - the Americans hate each other; the British love each other but are desperate to get away.
August, Osage County
Tracy Letts has written an American disfunctional family drama that has it all - alcohol, drugs, suicide, incest and a lot of screaming and shouting. It is a very vivid portrait of a family, with each character well defined. the weakest character in many ways is the father, who disappears early on. The Mother is truly awful - wandering about in a drug fuelled stupor, but not so out of it that she doesn't know exactly what is going on. Estelle Parsons is excellent in this role. You can really learn to hate her.
Shannon Cochran as Barbara Fordham does an astonishing job, particularly at the end, when you can see her becoming her mother. When she sees it, she leaves.
The heat of August in Oklahoma is almost a character in itself and gives the play a southern drama feel.
Some great lines, and some very funny scenes, but overall an American tragedy. Exhausting to watch and when it's over, you want to move away and leave your children on their own to be sure you do not control them!
Shannon Cochran as Barbara Fordham does an astonishing job, particularly at the end, when you can see her becoming her mother. When she sees it, she leaves.
The heat of August in Oklahoma is almost a character in itself and gives the play a southern drama feel.
Some great lines, and some very funny scenes, but overall an American tragedy. Exhausting to watch and when it's over, you want to move away and leave your children on their own to be sure you do not control them!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Drowning Girls
Fascinating play about a serial murderer,told from the veiwpoint of three of the victims. All three were his wives, whom he drowned after marrying them to steal their money and get the insurance.
Based on a true story and set in the eraly 20th century, this play reveals the limited choices available to women of marriageable age. Is it any wonder that a handsome man who declares love is welcomed over the objections of family and friends?
This is a very challenging play for the three actresses, who spend the whole play soaking wet and leaping in and out of bath tubs. The audience is challenged too, as they have to keep the theatre warm to prevent the cast from getting pneumonia.
All three actresses were excellent - Natascha Girgis, Beth Graham and Daniela Vlaskalic. The lattter two wrote the play with Charlie Tomlinson.
Based on a true story and set in the eraly 20th century, this play reveals the limited choices available to women of marriageable age. Is it any wonder that a handsome man who declares love is welcomed over the objections of family and friends?
This is a very challenging play for the three actresses, who spend the whole play soaking wet and leaping in and out of bath tubs. The audience is challenged too, as they have to keep the theatre warm to prevent the cast from getting pneumonia.
All three actresses were excellent - Natascha Girgis, Beth Graham and Daniela Vlaskalic. The lattter two wrote the play with Charlie Tomlinson.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Cyrano de Bergerac
Finally a good role for Colm Feore. Cyrano allows him to use all his talents - comedy to tragedy, but still permits him to talk about love and passion without having to demonstrate it.
Mike Sharra was excellent as the lover Christian de Neuvillette.
Amanda Lisman was a new face for us and was excellent as Roxanne.
This is a strange play, as it covers a wide range of time and space. The last act is dramatic, but could easily be cut out and the play could end with the battle, leaving the results ambiguous.
The cators at Stratford again demonstrated their level of professionalism, restarting the play after it had to be stopped for a medical emergency. They came back on stage and picked up where they left off perfectly.
Mike Sharra was excellent as the lover Christian de Neuvillette.
Amanda Lisman was a new face for us and was excellent as Roxanne.
This is a strange play, as it covers a wide range of time and space. The last act is dramatic, but could easily be cut out and the play could end with the battle, leaving the results ambiguous.
The cators at Stratford again demonstrated their level of professionalism, restarting the play after it had to be stopped for a medical emergency. They came back on stage and picked up where they left off perfectly.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Jersey Boys
Lots of fun and a lot better than I expected. But Des MacAnuff does this kind of show really well.
Great music of my youth. I went with my mother and sister, and realised that my mother was only in her early 30's when this music was first around. So she not only knew it but it was part of her youth, too! My sister was too young to have heard it when it came out.
Great music of my youth. I went with my mother and sister, and realised that my mother was only in her early 30's when this music was first around. So she not only knew it but it was part of her youth, too! My sister was too young to have heard it when it came out.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Rock'n'Roll
This was so bad we left at the intermission.
Stoppard could not seem to decide what play he was trying to write so he just mashed them all together - the revolution in Prague, the fight with cancer, the relationship between the cancer victim and her husband; his role as a communist coming to grips with failure etc.
The music added nothing but did serve to slow the whole thing down, as set changes were delayed so you could hear more music.
The sets were boring and flat. They moved slowly from side to side, but added nothing to the play.
Really a waste of a very good cast which included Fiona Reid and Kenneth Welsh.
Stoppard could not seem to decide what play he was trying to write so he just mashed them all together - the revolution in Prague, the fight with cancer, the relationship between the cancer victim and her husband; his role as a communist coming to grips with failure etc.
The music added nothing but did serve to slow the whole thing down, as set changes were delayed so you could hear more music.
The sets were boring and flat. They moved slowly from side to side, but added nothing to the play.
Really a waste of a very good cast which included Fiona Reid and Kenneth Welsh.
The Walworth Farce
Very interesting - takes a traditional Irish family tragedy and presents in a farce form. It takes a while to figure out what is going on, but once you catch on, it is fascinating. funny and sad all at once.
This was part of the worldstage at Harbourfront, and was produced by Druid Theatre from Ireland. Good cast of very solid performers.
This was part of the worldstage at Harbourfront, and was produced by Druid Theatre from Ireland. Good cast of very solid performers.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Albertine in Five Times
Michel Tremblay writes great parts for women and this play is no exception.
As usual a very strong cast - Patrica Hamilton, Mary Haney, Wendy Thatcher, Jenny L. Wright and Marla Mclean play Albertine; Nicole Correia-Damude plays her sister.
This play may be stepping outside the Mandate, but it seems a good step to me. And you can argue that at least part of the play deals with things that happened in Shaw's lifetime.
The structure of the play brings to mind Magic Fire, one of the best things done at Shaw in recent years, but the subject matter is much more subdued. You have to believe that this is a difference between the political cultures of Canada and Argentina, but it does make the Magic Fire a much more dramatic play.
As usual a very strong cast - Patrica Hamilton, Mary Haney, Wendy Thatcher, Jenny L. Wright and Marla Mclean play Albertine; Nicole Correia-Damude plays her sister.
This play may be stepping outside the Mandate, but it seems a good step to me. And you can argue that at least part of the play deals with things that happened in Shaw's lifetime.
The structure of the play brings to mind Magic Fire, one of the best things done at Shaw in recent years, but the subject matter is much more subdued. You have to believe that this is a difference between the political cultures of Canada and Argentina, but it does make the Magic Fire a much more dramatic play.
Ways of the Heart
The third of the Coward trilogies and the best.
The Astonished Heart was depressing, so quite unlike the usual Coward fluff. David Jansen and Claire Julien were believable lovers, Laurie Paton the forgiving wife.
Family Portrait was great fun. The costumes - Victorian with a hint of bondage were great. Again the strong cast and when Laurie Paton finally breaks out with the truth - such a sense of relief and fun. Michael Ball clearly enjoyed himself as the family retainer, staggering on and off stage.
Ways and Means was more typical Coward - amusing and larcenous.
The Astonished Heart was depressing, so quite unlike the usual Coward fluff. David Jansen and Claire Julien were believable lovers, Laurie Paton the forgiving wife.
Family Portrait was great fun. The costumes - Victorian with a hint of bondage were great. Again the strong cast and when Laurie Paton finally breaks out with the truth - such a sense of relief and fun. Michael Ball clearly enjoyed himself as the family retainer, staggering on and off stage.
Ways and Means was more typical Coward - amusing and larcenous.
Star Chamber
More Coward. This one the lunch time version - on it's own.
We've all been to this meeting, so it was very funny to watch. Neil Barclay, Fiona Byrne, and the rest all ready to leap out of the discussion and take the meeting off on a wild tangent at any moment.
We've all been to this meeting, so it was very funny to watch. Neil Barclay, Fiona Byrne, and the rest all ready to leap out of the discussion and take the meeting off on a wild tangent at any moment.
A Moon for the Misbegotten
O'Neill clearly had a miserable life and this play gives us more in the form of James Tyrone.
The play is interesting, but depressing and the cast was fantastic - Jenny Young as Josie Hogan was amazing. We have never seen her before, but will definitely be looking for her again. Jim Mezon as Phil Hogan and David Jansen as James Tyrone both gave brilliant performances. But there really should be a rule against having two drunk scenes in one play. Even two great drunk scenes!
The play is interesting, but depressing and the cast was fantastic - Jenny Young as Josie Hogan was amazing. We have never seen her before, but will definitely be looking for her again. Jim Mezon as Phil Hogan and David Jansen as James Tyrone both gave brilliant performances. But there really should be a rule against having two drunk scenes in one play. Even two great drunk scenes!
In Good King Charles's Golden Days
A very talky Shaw play - in fact it is almost three plays in one, since the three acts have almost no connection beyond the fact that the characters are occasionally the same.
Ben Campbell was excellent as usual as the King. Claire Julien was a suitably selfish Duchess of Cleveland; and Laurie Paton gave her usual excellent performance as Queen Catherine.
In these political times, the issues of the need to maintain power even by sacrificing principles, resonate with a Canadian audience accustomed to the the daily struggle among Ignatief, Harper and Layton.
No need to see this one again for many years, though.
Ben Campbell was excellent as usual as the King. Claire Julien was a suitably selfish Duchess of Cleveland; and Laurie Paton gave her usual excellent performance as Queen Catherine.
In these political times, the issues of the need to maintain power even by sacrificing principles, resonate with a Canadian audience accustomed to the the daily struggle among Ignatief, Harper and Layton.
No need to see this one again for many years, though.
All's Well That Ends Well
Another broadcast of a play form the National Theatre in London. This time they were using the big Olivier theatre where we saw the Revengers Tragedy and they have clearly learned a few things about camera placement.
This is a very strange play - part stalker story, part commentary on the risks of arranged marriage (relevant in Elizabethan times, since the court was anxious for her to marry.)
It is hard to imagine a better production than this one. The director took a view that is rather like a fairy story (Grimm brother's style) and made it quite fantastic. Horror was the underlying theme - creepy things can happen and often do.
The cast was excellent and largely unknown to us, with the exception of the King, who plays lots of mystery theatre type roles.
Casting a very young man as Bertrand made it possible to hope he would eventually grow up and turn inot a decent human being instead of the selfish and foolish young man he starts as.
This is a very strange play - part stalker story, part commentary on the risks of arranged marriage (relevant in Elizabethan times, since the court was anxious for her to marry.)
It is hard to imagine a better production than this one. The director took a view that is rather like a fairy story (Grimm brother's style) and made it quite fantastic. Horror was the underlying theme - creepy things can happen and often do.
The cast was excellent and largely unknown to us, with the exception of the King, who plays lots of mystery theatre type roles.
Casting a very young man as Bertrand made it possible to hope he would eventually grow up and turn inot a decent human being instead of the selfish and foolish young man he starts as.
Mimi or A Poisoners Comedy
It was interesting and amusing, but I doubt it will take off. The essential question about this play is why? Sweeny Todd has already dealt with the basic theme, with better music.
Why a costume drama? The period is not really relevant to the theme so just makes the whole thing look dated, instead of like a new musical.
We went to the pre show lecture on the history of musical theatre in America. The lecturer finished by wondering if this musical would be the next break through and we would all be able to claim to have been in at the beginning, or whether it would die a quick death and we could all be among the very small group who ever see it. My money is on the latter!
Why a costume drama? The period is not really relevant to the theme so just makes the whole thing look dated, instead of like a new musical.
We went to the pre show lecture on the history of musical theatre in America. The lecturer finished by wondering if this musical would be the next break through and we would all be able to claim to have been in at the beginning, or whether it would die a quick death and we could all be among the very small group who ever see it. My money is on the latter!
The Guardsman
A very slight, but potentially amusing play, but a dreadful production. We left at half time.
Albert Schultz is a fine actor, but totally wrong for the part of the Guardsman. He is too old and he is not charming. Nor does he have the required comic timing. In my opinion, to play this part you need someone like Mike Sharra, who has both the timing and the charm. He can connect with the audience in a way that Schultz cannot. One watches Schultz; one joins the conspiracy with Sharra. It would have made all the difference in the world.
Loved Diego Matamoros, though!
Albert Schultz is a fine actor, but totally wrong for the part of the Guardsman. He is too old and he is not charming. Nor does he have the required comic timing. In my opinion, to play this part you need someone like Mike Sharra, who has both the timing and the charm. He can connect with the audience in a way that Schultz cannot. One watches Schultz; one joins the conspiracy with Sharra. It would have made all the difference in the world.
Loved Diego Matamoros, though!
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Devil's Disciple
I would not have described this as one of my favourite Shaw plays, but this was a terrific production. Pacing was great and the cast was superb.
Evan Buliung was terrific as Dick Dudgeon - he carried the show, although he had a lot of help from Donna Belleville, Fiona Byrne and Peter Krantz. Jim Mezon nearly stole it form him with his performance as General Burgoyne - the world weary, cynical, realist.
I think this is the first time we have seen Buliung in the lead role, although we have been watching him develop with interest for some time now.
Evan Buliung was terrific as Dick Dudgeon - he carried the show, although he had a lot of help from Donna Belleville, Fiona Byrne and Peter Krantz. Jim Mezon nearly stole it form him with his performance as General Burgoyne - the world weary, cynical, realist.
I think this is the first time we have seen Buliung in the lead role, although we have been watching him develop with interest for some time now.
Brief Encounters
Another three of the Coward Ten. Different cast, but still a set of virtuoso performances. Deborah Hay was so quiet and intense in Still Life- hard to believe she was Louise Charteris later that afternoon and Billie Dawn later in the weekend!
Still Life took tooo long to get anywhere.
We have all had those strange moments of attraction that fade suddenly - brilliantly captured in We were Dancing. And Hands Across the Sea describes a seniors moment writ large - who were those people? Of course we knew them, but who were they? Again , wonderful performances by Deborah Hay as Piggie and Corrine Koslo as Mrs Wadhurst. Patrick Galligan is still one of my favourites and seems well matched with Thom Marriott - they contrast so well.
Still Life took tooo long to get anywhere.
We have all had those strange moments of attraction that fade suddenly - brilliantly captured in We were Dancing. And Hands Across the Sea describes a seniors moment writ large - who were those people? Of course we knew them, but who were they? Again , wonderful performances by Deborah Hay as Piggie and Corrine Koslo as Mrs Wadhurst. Patrick Galligan is still one of my favourites and seems well matched with Thom Marriott - they contrast so well.
The Entertainer
A star vehicle, and Benedict Campbell certainly stood up to the role, delivering a fabulous performance as Archie Rice.
Corrine Koslo also gave an outstanding performance as Phoebe. The others had supporting parts, but as usual the whole cast was excellent. (One almost hopes for a terrible performance, jsut to ba able to complain about it.)
This was the first time we had been in the new studio theatre, which worked extremely well for this play. Very intimate space with stages at both ends, and the family home in the middle. It will be interesting to see how it is configured for other shows, if in fact it changes.
The play is definitely dated and I don't think it will wear well for many more years, but it was interesting as a piece reflecting a time and place.
Corrine Koslo also gave an outstanding performance as Phoebe. The others had supporting parts, but as usual the whole cast was excellent. (One almost hopes for a terrible performance, jsut to ba able to complain about it.)
This was the first time we had been in the new studio theatre, which worked extremely well for this play. Very intimate space with stages at both ends, and the family home in the middle. It will be interesting to see how it is configured for other shows, if in fact it changes.
The play is definitely dated and I don't think it will wear well for many more years, but it was interesting as a piece reflecting a time and place.
Play, Orchestra, Play
Doing all of Noel Coward's short plays must have seemed like a great idea. Everyone loves Coward and in the current economic climate, putting on something like this was a smart move.
In her introductory notes, Jackie Maxwell comments that these plays provide an oppportunity to show case the huge range of talents in the company. Very true. Comedy, tragedy, dancing and singing by the same cast all in three hours.
That said, the plays are slight. Red Peppers portrays a couple of antque vaudevillians. Fumed Oak - a family where Dad has finally had enough and talks back! (The kind of talk back that we have all secretly thought of at some point in our lives, but most of us have not actually spoken!)
Shadow Play is interesting but does not seem to have much point.
In her introductory notes, Jackie Maxwell comments that these plays provide an oppportunity to show case the huge range of talents in the company. Very true. Comedy, tragedy, dancing and singing by the same cast all in three hours.
That said, the plays are slight. Red Peppers portrays a couple of antque vaudevillians. Fumed Oak - a family where Dad has finally had enough and talks back! (The kind of talk back that we have all secretly thought of at some point in our lives, but most of us have not actually spoken!)
Shadow Play is interesting but does not seem to have much point.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Born Yesterday
Wow, what a great production. Thom Marriott literally dominated the stage as Harry Brock, but Deborah hay stole the show with her performance as Billie Dawn.
The show is fast paced and fun, although a bit dated. The sexism and violence throughout are offset by the great ending.
Great set.
Now if we could just get the aduience to stop talking!
The show is fast paced and fun, although a bit dated. The sexism and violence throughout are offset by the great ending.
Great set.
Now if we could just get the aduience to stop talking!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Rice Boy
Sunil Kuruvilla has apparently rewritten and tightened up this play, but it still seems a bit fragmented. I wish I had notes from the last time we saw it at Canstage, because I think I liked it better the first time. It did not seem sufficiently edgy to be at the Studio.
Excellent cast, especially Sanjay Talwar as Uncle, Raoul Baneja as Father and Araya Mengesha as Tommy. (We've seen the first two before, Talwar at Stratford and Baneja in Bashir Lazar at Tarragon and they both are very strong actors.)
Excellent cast, especially Sanjay Talwar as Uncle, Raoul Baneja as Father and Araya Mengesha as Tommy. (We've seen the first two before, Talwar at Stratford and Baneja in Bashir Lazar at Tarragon and they both are very strong actors.)
Zastrozzi
Odd play for a Canadian author (George F. Walker) to write, but very interesting all the same. It is a modern revenge tragedy, with everyone appropriately dead at the end.
Rick Roberts was excellent in the title role, as was Andrew Shaver as the protagonist, Verezzi.
It was nice to see Sarah Orenstein again as Matilda - she had just the right style and attitude! Even if her dress was a bit sluttish (joke).
John Vickery was great as Victor and I look forward to seeing him again.
Rick Roberts was excellent in the title role, as was Andrew Shaver as the protagonist, Verezzi.
It was nice to see Sarah Orenstein again as Matilda - she had just the right style and attitude! Even if her dress was a bit sluttish (joke).
John Vickery was great as Victor and I look forward to seeing him again.
Billy Bishop Goes to War
Eric Petersen succeeds brilliantly in bringing to life the heroic WW1 pilot. Now the age Bishop was when he died, Petersen and John Gray have had to make a number of changes. Insted of playing the young hero, he plays the older hero thinking back. Wearing pyjamas and a bathrobe throughout is very effective.
One front row spectator committed the cardinal sin, and did not turn off his cell phone. The look he got from Petersen when it ran was truly chilling. If looks could kill...
One front row spectator committed the cardinal sin, and did not turn off his cell phone. The look he got from Petersen when it ran was truly chilling. If looks could kill...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Three Sisters
We hate Chekov - there, I've said it! We only went to this production because the cast was so strong that we thought if anyone could make us like it, they could.
The cast was fantastic - Lucy Peacock as Masha, Irene Poole as Olga, and Dalal Badr as Irina - you could not have asked for three better sisters. Add Kelli Fox to the mix as Natasha, the sister in law and it just gets better.
But I still want to scream at them to just "buy a ticket and go to Moscow for god's sake. Stop whining and go! "
Chekov's plays, unlike Shakespeare or the Greeks, are too firmly rooted in his time and place. The world has changed and his characters no longer fit it, nor do they deal with timeless issues. Watching Chekov is like watching a boring history piece, even when it is as well done as this production.
No more Chekov!
The cast was fantastic - Lucy Peacock as Masha, Irene Poole as Olga, and Dalal Badr as Irina - you could not have asked for three better sisters. Add Kelli Fox to the mix as Natasha, the sister in law and it just gets better.
But I still want to scream at them to just "buy a ticket and go to Moscow for god's sake. Stop whining and go! "
Chekov's plays, unlike Shakespeare or the Greeks, are too firmly rooted in his time and place. The world has changed and his characters no longer fit it, nor do they deal with timeless issues. Watching Chekov is like watching a boring history piece, even when it is as well done as this production.
No more Chekov!
Bartholomew Fair
We went to two lectures about his play to try to get a feel for it. Both lecturers (one of whom was Sandy Leggatt) described it as impossible to read, so we did not even try. Leggatt described it as being like watching a Breughel painting - no centre, but many things going on all over. This was a very apt description.
There was a plot of sorts (more than we expected), but mostly it was just continuous action. The sight of Lucy Peacock as Ursula the pig woman was totally amazing, as was her performance. Kelli Fox slid around on a litttle platform and still managed to dominate the stage. Jonathan Goad was excellent as usual. Trent Pardy as Bartholomew Cokes was just like a puppy - totally captivating and another young actor to watch.
It is wonderful that Stratford is taking the risks of putting on a play like Bartholomew Fair. Seeing plays by Shakespeare's contemporaries really helps put him in a context and increases your understanding and appreciation for what the Elizabethan theatre must have been like.
There was a plot of sorts (more than we expected), but mostly it was just continuous action. The sight of Lucy Peacock as Ursula the pig woman was totally amazing, as was her performance. Kelli Fox slid around on a litttle platform and still managed to dominate the stage. Jonathan Goad was excellent as usual. Trent Pardy as Bartholomew Cokes was just like a puppy - totally captivating and another young actor to watch.
It is wonderful that Stratford is taking the risks of putting on a play like Bartholomew Fair. Seeing plays by Shakespeare's contemporaries really helps put him in a context and increases your understanding and appreciation for what the Elizabethan theatre must have been like.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
This production seems to have divided audiences along age lines. The younger you were, the more you liked it. The very young loved the energy and the action. The not quite so young loved the rock references and the energy. And the old folks were upset by the idea of punk fairies and a broken stage. I loved it - this is the best Dream I have seen.
Tom Rooney was fantastic as Puck (channelling Mick Jagger) and Geraint Wynn Davies was simply brilliant as Bottom. In most productions I find the character of Bottom painful to watch and always wish they would just cut the scenes with the mechanicals. In this production, I was totally captivated. Bottom was hilarious, but entirely sympathetic. Wynn Davies managed to play him straight, and the result was brilliant. The final version of the mechnical's play was hysterical.
The rest of the cast was strong, but not quite up to these two. Yanna Macinitosh was good as Titania, but still too cool, especially when trying to channel Tina Turner. She needs to loosen her hips and strut more. Dion Johnstone was very good as Oberon, and continues to be an actor I want to see more from. Othello should be in his future.
Tom Rooney was fantastic as Puck (channelling Mick Jagger) and Geraint Wynn Davies was simply brilliant as Bottom. In most productions I find the character of Bottom painful to watch and always wish they would just cut the scenes with the mechanicals. In this production, I was totally captivated. Bottom was hilarious, but entirely sympathetic. Wynn Davies managed to play him straight, and the result was brilliant. The final version of the mechnical's play was hysterical.
The rest of the cast was strong, but not quite up to these two. Yanna Macinitosh was good as Titania, but still too cool, especially when trying to channel Tina Turner. She needs to loosen her hips and strut more. Dion Johnstone was very good as Oberon, and continues to be an actor I want to see more from. Othello should be in his future.
Ever Yours, Oscar
Brain Bedford reading the letters of Oscar Wilde. He reads well and Wilde writes well, so the combination was very effective and surprisingly moving.
Julius Caesar
This is undoubtedly the best Julius Caesar that I have ever seen. (even counting the Stratford production with RH Thomson as Mark Anthony, where he had all the teenagers in the audience swooning over his good looks and great physique).
Ben Carlson as Brutus, Tom Rooney as Cassius, Jonathan Goad as Mark Anthony, Geraint Wynn Davies as Caesar - does it get any better than this?
Goad's rendition of the " Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech was superb. The staging with the mob in the aisles and around the theatre was hugely effective. You could believe that you were in the middle of the mob.
I loved the costumes - very futuristic and elegant, they communicated the message that wars and politics have not changed and won't in the future.
I rarely notice the music in a play, but this was superb. subtle, but totally capturing the feeling. Alfred Schnittke wrote the music the sound was based on.
Ben Carlson as Brutus, Tom Rooney as Cassius, Jonathan Goad as Mark Anthony, Geraint Wynn Davies as Caesar - does it get any better than this?
Goad's rendition of the " Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech was superb. The staging with the mob in the aisles and around the theatre was hugely effective. You could believe that you were in the middle of the mob.
I loved the costumes - very futuristic and elegant, they communicated the message that wars and politics have not changed and won't in the future.
I rarely notice the music in a play, but this was superb. subtle, but totally capturing the feeling. Alfred Schnittke wrote the music the sound was based on.
Phedre
A two hour production with no intermission and the audience was totally captured throughout!
Seana McKenna turned in a fantastic performance - the look on her face when she found out that Hipploytus was in love with Aricie was worth the price of admission. The look on Jonathan Goad's face when she confesses her love was a close second!
Tom McCamus was an excellent Theseus - and such a contrast to the actor who played the role in London. Roberta Maxwell was also great as Oenone.
It was interesting to contrast this with the National Theatre production starring Helen Mirren which I thought was great. But it does point out that live theatre is different, even when the film is recording a live performance, it just does not have the same immediacy.
The translation used by Stratford was different - they used a new one by Timberlake Wertenbaker, where the national used the Ted Hughes version. Unfortunately, I don't know the play well enough to know whether it made any difference. I just liked them both!
As we saw the first preview and Seanna said that they are still making changes, we are going to make an effort to see it again.
Seana McKenna turned in a fantastic performance - the look on her face when she found out that Hipploytus was in love with Aricie was worth the price of admission. The look on Jonathan Goad's face when she confesses her love was a close second!
Tom McCamus was an excellent Theseus - and such a contrast to the actor who played the role in London. Roberta Maxwell was also great as Oenone.
It was interesting to contrast this with the National Theatre production starring Helen Mirren which I thought was great. But it does point out that live theatre is different, even when the film is recording a live performance, it just does not have the same immediacy.
The translation used by Stratford was different - they used a new one by Timberlake Wertenbaker, where the national used the Ted Hughes version. Unfortunately, I don't know the play well enough to know whether it made any difference. I just liked them both!
As we saw the first preview and Seanna said that they are still making changes, we are going to make an effort to see it again.
Macbeth
We had high hopes for this production with Colm Feore in the starring role. But somehow it did not come together. the chemistry between Feore and Yanna MacIntosh as Lady Macbeth just did not make it out to the audience, although listening to Yanna at the seminar, it was clearly intended to be there. She is a very cool actress, and passion does not seem to be her forte. Feore is also a fairly cool and controlled actor - brilliant in many parts, (Don Juan for example) but not this one.
Many people had trouble with the fact that the play was set in modern Africa, but I actually liked that decision. Violence and tribal warfare is still with us and nowhere more obviously than Africa.
Tom Rooney was great as the Porter - the first of three great performances in the week.
Many people had trouble with the fact that the play was set in modern Africa, but I actually liked that decision. Violence and tribal warfare is still with us and nowhere more obviously than Africa.
Tom Rooney was great as the Porter - the first of three great performances in the week.
The Importance of Being Earnest
It doesn't matter how often I see this play, I always enjoy it. But this production definitely ranks as the best one ever!
Brian Bedford was at his arch best as Lady Bracknell - totally in control of every nod and every look. Mike Sharra is one of the best physical comedians around and his Algernon gave him every opportunity to demonstrate his talent. He was a perfect foil for Ben Carlson, who manages to be funny in a serious kind of way. Sara Topham and Andrea Runge were perfectly matched as Gwendolyn and Cecily.
The sets by Desmond Healey were fabulous, especially when you took a close look a realized what they were made from. Amazing use of found stuff ( plastic glasses and duct tape for example) to create beautiful looks.
Brian Bedford was at his arch best as Lady Bracknell - totally in control of every nod and every look. Mike Sharra is one of the best physical comedians around and his Algernon gave him every opportunity to demonstrate his talent. He was a perfect foil for Ben Carlson, who manages to be funny in a serious kind of way. Sara Topham and Andrea Runge were perfectly matched as Gwendolyn and Cecily.
The sets by Desmond Healey were fabulous, especially when you took a close look a realized what they were made from. Amazing use of found stuff ( plastic glasses and duct tape for example) to create beautiful looks.
A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A great way to start the annual week at Stratford. We were looking foward to seeing Bruce Dow as Pseudolus - he was so great as the Emcee in Cabaret last year. Unfortunately, he is injured and the understudy filled in - fortunately the understudy was great. Randy Ganne is definitely someone to watch!
The whole production was a lot of fun - silly songs, fun dances, and more dumb jokes than you can count. Stephen Ouimette was hilarious as Hysterium, as was Chilina Kennedy as Philia. (she's lovely) Another actor to watch for in future is Mike Nadajewski, who played Hero.
And the sight of Dan Chameroy as Miles Gloriosus will not soon be forgotten. The muscles were fantastic (he's lovely,too).
We may not be Sondheim fans, but we did like this one!
The whole production was a lot of fun - silly songs, fun dances, and more dumb jokes than you can count. Stephen Ouimette was hilarious as Hysterium, as was Chilina Kennedy as Philia. (she's lovely) Another actor to watch for in future is Mike Nadajewski, who played Hero.
And the sight of Dan Chameroy as Miles Gloriosus will not soon be forgotten. The muscles were fantastic (he's lovely,too).
We may not be Sondheim fans, but we did like this one!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Of the Fields , Lately
David French makes his characters sound so much like Newfoundlanders that you have to keep reminding yourself that they are actually living in Toronto and have been for many years.
It is very disconcerting to hear the characters referring to themselves as being 52, but getting old and in fact dying. Is this a reflection of a time or a class? I certainly thought my parents were older than I feel now at the same age, but I wonder how old they felt?
Great cast - Diane d'Aquila, Jeff Lillico, Eric Peterson, and Kenneth Welsh - all fantastic actors.
It is very disconcerting to hear the characters referring to themselves as being 52, but getting old and in fact dying. Is this a reflection of a time or a class? I certainly thought my parents were older than I feel now at the same age, but I wonder how old they felt?
Great cast - Diane d'Aquila, Jeff Lillico, Eric Peterson, and Kenneth Welsh - all fantastic actors.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Loot
A funny, absurd play that seems superficially silly, but actually pokes fun at a lot of conventinal behaviour and beliefs.
Tow jarring notes with regard to the language - the repition of the word "baby" which Mathew Edison was clearly uncomfrotable using, although his was a strong performance in all other respects. the second was the sudden interjection of "fucking" in a speech by the otherwise linguistically proper Truscott (Michael Hanrahan). It stuck and did not add anything.
Nicole Underhay gave her ususal excellent performance, as did Oliver Dennis.
Tow jarring notes with regard to the language - the repition of the word "baby" which Mathew Edison was clearly uncomfrotable using, although his was a strong performance in all other respects. the second was the sudden interjection of "fucking" in a speech by the otherwise linguistically proper Truscott (Michael Hanrahan). It stuck and did not add anything.
Nicole Underhay gave her ususal excellent performance, as did Oliver Dennis.
Phedre
A new venture - the first live broadcast of a play form the National Theatre in London. The calling card was Helen Mirren in the title role, with Margaret Tyzack as Oenone.
The movie theatre venue was not a plus, but the experience was definitely worth repeating. It was a very strong production and one that we would have preferred to see live, but given that is not an option, this is a good alternative.
They used five cameras, so it was not totally static. I would like to see a version with one camera, showing the full f=rame of the set. We had seats in the third row, which was a problem since from some camera angles, people had very large bodies and small heads.
But the production was so strong, it was worth seeing.
It will be interesting to compare with the Stratford productoin in August. Both are using the Ted Hughes translation.
The movie theatre venue was not a plus, but the experience was definitely worth repeating. It was a very strong production and one that we would have preferred to see live, but given that is not an option, this is a good alternative.
They used five cameras, so it was not totally static. I would like to see a version with one camera, showing the full f=rame of the set. We had seats in the third row, which was a problem since from some camera angles, people had very large bodies and small heads.
But the production was so strong, it was worth seeing.
It will be interesting to compare with the Stratford productoin in August. Both are using the Ted Hughes translation.
Eternal Hydra
A long discussion of genius and fame. Who really wrote the mansucript? does it matter?
One of the group was definitely of the opinion that it did not and was very disappoointed to find the play was not over at the intermission. He stuck it ouot, but his instincts were good. the second act, while interesting in and of intself, did not link well with the first and a major rewrite is needed to make this play a unified whole.
This was produced as part of the Magnetic North Festival , which showcases Canadian plays.
Liisa Repo-martell and Karen Robinson were both familiar figures. David Ferry and Sam Malkin were not, but both were very good.
One of the group was definitely of the opinion that it did not and was very disappoointed to find the play was not over at the intermission. He stuck it ouot, but his instincts were good. the second act, while interesting in and of intself, did not link well with the first and a major rewrite is needed to make this play a unified whole.
This was produced as part of the Magnetic North Festival , which showcases Canadian plays.
Liisa Repo-martell and Karen Robinson were both familiar figures. David Ferry and Sam Malkin were not, but both were very good.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Beautiful View
Daniel McIvor is a good observer of relations between people and the miscommunication that happens when you make assumptions and don't ask questions.
Caroline Gillis and Tracy Wright were both believable in their respective roles - the kind of people you might actually know.
Caroline Gillis and Tracy Wright were both believable in their respective roles - the kind of people you might actually know.
House of Many Tongues
A fascinating and funny discussion of relationships, family, politics and life, where even the house has a voice.
Some members of the audience appeared unhappy by the discussion of cunnilingus, judging by the number of empty seats after the intermission. But it all came together in a most interesting conversation.
Great cast. I liked Raoul Bhaneja again but there were no weak spots.
Some members of the audience appeared unhappy by the discussion of cunnilingus, judging by the number of empty seats after the intermission. But it all came together in a most interesting conversation.
Great cast. I liked Raoul Bhaneja again but there were no weak spots.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Doubt
Fantastic cast , excellent production and in the end - no doubt!
Seana McKenna was as usual superb as Sister Aloysius. David Storch gave great sermons - almost enough to make you want to go to church. Daniela Vlaskalic and Raven Dauda are both worth watching for.
The audience was spell bound throughout - a major accomplishment on a Friday evening.
Seana McKenna was as usual superb as Sister Aloysius. David Storch gave great sermons - almost enough to make you want to go to church. Daniela Vlaskalic and Raven Dauda are both worth watching for.
The audience was spell bound throughout - a major accomplishment on a Friday evening.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
I, Claudia
This is an excellent play, with a very strong performance by the author in all parts. The masks are odd at first, but after a while, they fade as the characters come forward. Kristen Thomson has the ability to develop gestrues and motions unique to each of the four characters, so there is never any doubt who is speaking. She changes masks and costumes, but I think she could do it without any of these devices and you would still know who is who.
It is a funny play, but also a very sad play about the difficulties of growing up, relationships, and all the messy business of life. The audience at the performance we attended seemed to have no problem finding the humour, but occasionally you did get the impressin that maybe they were missing the underlying sad themes.
It is a funny play, but also a very sad play about the difficulties of growing up, relationships, and all the messy business of life. The audience at the performance we attended seemed to have no problem finding the humour, but occasionally you did get the impressin that maybe they were missing the underlying sad themes.
Blythe Spirit
Angela Lansbury and Rupert Everett are both great in this production. She has more energy than most people half her age. Not great theatre, but a great afternoon of theatre.
Wicked
A big splashy musical based on the Gregory Maguire novel. Great voices, good production values, but no songs that you remember.
The Thirty Nine Steps
Hard to believe the John Buchan novel could become a comedy, but here it is. Funny and silly.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Glengarry Glen Ross
The play is a bit dated, but remains powerful. The struggle between the old warriors and the new young fighters is a constant. Leaving the theatre I overheard a young woman ask "couldn't they have made at least one of the characters a woman?" My first reaction was no - this was a man's world. My second reaction is still no, but if they had changed one character to a woman, they would also have had to change the industry, the time and essentially rewrite the play. I t could work with investment bakners today!
Grear cast all around. Albert Schulz was born to play the part of Richard Roma and he matched Eric Peterson as Shelley Levene perfectly. Peter Donaldson was superbly slimey as Dave Moss. Kevin Bundy was apologetically terrified and Jordan Pettle was superb as John Williamson - only at the end did you see how nasty he really was.
The last time we saw this play it was a Steppenwolf production and the lead part was played by a substitute who literally read his part, but acted it all the same. Both excellent versions, but I think I give Soul Pepper the edge.
Grear cast all around. Albert Schulz was born to play the part of Richard Roma and he matched Eric Peterson as Shelley Levene perfectly. Peter Donaldson was superbly slimey as Dave Moss. Kevin Bundy was apologetically terrified and Jordan Pettle was superb as John Williamson - only at the end did you see how nasty he really was.
The last time we saw this play it was a Steppenwolf production and the lead part was played by a substitute who literally read his part, but acted it all the same. Both excellent versions, but I think I give Soul Pepper the edge.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Another Home Invasion
I have only positive things to say about this play. Well written, well acted. The story moved along as though you were listening to your mother, who has a tendency to wander,but generally gets to the point.
I don't remember seeing Nicola Lipman before, but she was excellent in this role. A one character monologue for 90 minutes can't be easy!
The subject matter was clearly of interest to the audience, as everyone was totally focused onthe stage, with no talking or whispering. Mindf you looking at the age of the audience, this is not really surprising. REtirment centres, Alzheimers - these are all subjects we worry about now.
I don't remember seeing Nicola Lipman before, but she was excellent in this role. A one character monologue for 90 minutes can't be easy!
The subject matter was clearly of interest to the audience, as everyone was totally focused onthe stage, with no talking or whispering. Mindf you looking at the age of the audience, this is not really surprising. REtirment centres, Alzheimers - these are all subjects we worry about now.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Mavis Staples & James Hunter- 21 March 09
Keith again: our second show of the weekend was Mavis Staples at Massey Hall, with James Hunter and his band as the opening act.
James Hunter has been performing a series of gigs around the periphery of the city in smaller venues and, based on this set I think he would play better in this setting. He has an engaging personality and a tight group, with his saxophonists as the stand-outs. Everybody looked like they might play for pints in an east-end London pub, but were clearly very professional musicians. Imagine what the Commitments would have looked and sounded like if they stayed together for another ten years. Actually, Hunter could have used the girl singers from the Commitments to add a little edge to the vocals. His singing is not that strong and, with one exception, the tunes had a sameness to them that made the set seem longer than its 45 minute runtime. The exception was Don't Do It, apparently a hit by a group called the Five Royals in the middle of the last century. It had more bite and was the standout.
After a long intermission to rest the stage, Mavis Staples came on with three back-up singers, including one of her sisters, and a two guitar and drums group. Mavis' voice ain't what it used to be, but she can still really put over a song and knows how to work both it and the audience. She seemed tired, and perhaps not well (although better than her sister who looked drugged or really sick) and took a long time-out while the guitarists took over. Wow, let's talk about the guitarists! But first - the sound was great. James Hunter and his group had had a rather flat sound but the set up for Mavis Staples was superb. Mind you, the hall didn't hurt. Mavis didn't bother with the microphone from time to time and, although her voice has lost some power, she was still clearly audible. Now, back tot he instrumentalist. All three were excellent but the stand-out was the leader, Rick Holstrom. Now, for the three of you who bought any of his albums before they became unavailable, he, or at least his sound, is much better live. The sound from his guitar was astounding whether he was trading phrases with Mavis or on his extended solos. Wow! (I bought he one album of his still available and it is quite pleasant, but nothing to lead you to expect how good he was at Massey.)
Another great show - makes you realize why live music is worthwhile.
PS: The show we missed was Quartetto Gelato - another group who have a whole other dimension when performing live versus their (still excellent) CDs.
Silk Road Ensemble -20 March 09
This is an unusual first posting from Keith, rather than commenting on Cathy's primary post.
Cathy has decided not to post on musical performances, except "Musicals", and we do not se many of them. We do not go to many straight musical acts either - its just easier to listen to recorded music and sometimes the "live" performance adds little - e.g. Tallis Scholars, most orchestral performances.
However, this weekend there were three shows we (or at least I) wanted to see. Two of them clashed but Cathy agreed to come with me to the two we could get to.
On Friday night we saw the second of two shows by the Silk Road Ensemble at Roy Thomson Hall. (The first show was on Thursday night and had different pieces and performers.) This was a great show and a show worth seeing because the instruments were so alien to us in many cases and the performers interacted visually, as well as aurally, with improvisation between scored pieces.
The first half consisted of Silk Road Suite and Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain. Silk Road Suite has five "movements" - really separate pieces demonstrating the wide range of music along the Silk Road route. All quite fascinating, with the percussion especially interesting, and amazing in its variety, particularly in Saidi Swing. The last movement was Arabian Waltz - a rousing jazzy number we have on their recording with the Chicago Symphony. Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain was a smaller scale more personal and "angular" modern piece which I enjoyed less, although I thought it okay - but Cathy seemed to like.
The second half started with Paths of Parables based on five Sufi tales. Kojiro Umezaki acted as narrator and has a great voice (Cathy: now you know what I want for my birthday - his voice); however the parables are rather trite and I found it like reading a book in slow motion, with musical accompaniment. Not my favorite. Ascending Bird, a Persian piece finished the regular show in a much more satisfactory manner for me - again with a fascinating variety of percussion. It is amazing the number of ways people have found to produce sound by banging on things.
Then, came the encores, when everyone was on stage and the players really loosened up - it was the last night of the this three-week tour. Most spectacular was a "duel" between the tabla player Sandeep Das, playing something which looked like a wooden box with holes, and Wu Tong on Sheng. The Sheng is an amazing instrument, at least in Wo Tong's hands. It is a sort of Chinese harmonica - but that doesn't do justice to the range of music he got out of the thing - you kept looking for the rest of the orchestra - and the two of them really rocked! It would have been fascinating to be able to sit around and watch this group of superb musicians improvise around one another for a few hours. Oh well, still a great show.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Patient Hour
The audience is the patient. Visitors are the son, daughter, nurse and fellow patient. EAch is gradually revealed; no one, including the patient is what they first seem to be.
Excellent cast (In toronto, this is largely a redundant statement, there are so many great actors working here.)
We had never seen Todd Thomson before, but will definitely watch for him. Patricia Fagan is very other worldly, while Liisa Repo-Martell and Waneta Storms are both very earthy, very present.
I liked this play and will look for an opportunity to see I Claudia, by the same playwrite.
Excellent cast (In toronto, this is largely a redundant statement, there are so many great actors working here.)
We had never seen Todd Thomson before, but will definitely watch for him. Patricia Fagan is very other worldly, while Liisa Repo-Martell and Waneta Storms are both very earthy, very present.
I liked this play and will look for an opportunity to see I Claudia, by the same playwrite.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Travesties
Normally, I like Tom Stoppard's plays, but the phrase intellectual conceit kept running through my head during the first act, and was so annoying, I could not stay for the second.
Soulpepper had assembled an excellent cast, the set was good, the pace seemed good, but somehow "intellectual conceit" was all I got out of it.
Thank God Keith had the same reaction so we could go home.
Soulpepper had assembled an excellent cast, the set was good, the pace seemed good, but somehow "intellectual conceit" was all I got out of it.
Thank God Keith had the same reaction so we could go home.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Miss Julie
Another subtitled play - this one is "Freedom Summer" to refer to the change of the setting from Sweden to Mississippi in 1968 at the height of the Civil Rights movement.
Caroline Cave is excellent as Miss Julie, but Miss Julie is another drunken southern woman, dealing with her own repression by taking advantage of the black chaufffeur. She wants freedom and so does he. Neither can get it from the other.
Having not seen the original, it is hard to assess how the new version stacks up. Was class as shocking as race? and could this version have been done in 1968? It is not very shocking in 2009 Toronto, but would it have been?
Without the shock value, it is almost just another southern gothic.
Caroline Cave is excellent as Miss Julie, but Miss Julie is another drunken southern woman, dealing with her own repression by taking advantage of the black chaufffeur. She wants freedom and so does he. Neither can get it from the other.
Having not seen the original, it is hard to assess how the new version stacks up. Was class as shocking as race? and could this version have been done in 1968? It is not very shocking in 2009 Toronto, but would it have been?
Without the shock value, it is almost just another southern gothic.
Ubuntu
Subtitled The Capetown Project: a young man's search for his father and his identity. Ubuntu means "I am becuase you are".
Interesting story, good cast. Some amusing Canadian jokes - every time they step outside it snowed, represented by waving fingers. and as they moved through the crowd in the airport, everyone said excuse me.
Good cast and good performances.
Interesting story, good cast. Some amusing Canadian jokes - every time they step outside it snowed, represented by waving fingers. and as they moved through the crowd in the airport, everyone said excuse me.
Good cast and good performances.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Bear with Me
It may be a one joke play, but it is a very funny joke! Diane Flack's experience as a new Mother, spiced up by the fact that she is a lesbian, is the same experience we all have. Not so funny at the time, but absolutely hilarious after the fact. At times I laughed so hard, tears were running down my face. Other times, it was just a ho hum, been there done that reaction.
But I have to admit that while the play is really just a long stand up comedy routine, and while there is only one joke, the women can really put it over. The structure held up and the laughs kept coming.
But I have to admit that while the play is really just a long stand up comedy routine, and while there is only one joke, the women can really put it over. The structure held up and the laughs kept coming.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Moliere
A battle of wits between Moliere and Racine for supremacy in French theatre. Comedy against tragedy. RichardMacMillan versus Rick Roberts. No winner!
Great cast, great performances - Nancy Palk does wonderful old ladies and her performance as the Queen Mother was excellent. Cara Pifko as Armande was friendly, flirty and entirely believable.
Great cast, great performances - Nancy Palk does wonderful old ladies and her performance as the Queen Mother was excellent. Cara Pifko as Armande was friendly, flirty and entirely believable.
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