Titus Andronicus

I was very keen to see this production, as I have been fascinated since the first tme I saw it in 2000. At that production, I went in cold, knowing nothing about the play at all. I remember leaving the theatre stunned by the violence and amazed by the staging and effects needed to chop off hands and heads, never mind the killing.
The Julie Taymor film of the play (Titus) was brilliant and beautiful, but again I left the theatre feeling that I had been smacked. Since that time I have read and reread the play, seen a couple of other revenge tragedies and been to a lecture that suggested that Titus Anmdronicus is actually a comic play and not a revenge tragedy - comic in the sense that the violence is so over the top that it is like watching a comic book with all the little action boxes "pow" "bang" etc.

This production did not disappoint me. I was captured from the beginning, but remained sufficiently aware of my surroundings to hear the gasps from the audience as someo fht e more gruesome scenes occurred. I even noticed one man put his sweater over his head and refuse to watch any more. ( He did not return for the second act, although his wife did).

Enough preamble, to the production itself. It moved along quicly as it must if it is to have any hope of keeping the audience with it. The effects were good, the jokes were pointed (especially the one with the arrows - wathc for it!) and the cast was strong.

I liked Jon Vickery as Titus and I loved Sean Arbuckle as Saturninus. Dion Johnstone made Aaron a human, not just a monster, although perhaps in this production an over the top caricature might hve been more appropriate.

Both leading women were very strong, especially Claire Lautier as Tamora. Amanda Lisman was actually more agressive than my image of Lavinia at the beginning and at the end too for that matter. Brendan Murray and Bruce Godfree were over the top as the insane and evil Chiron and Demetrius.

The audience loved it and gave a semi standing ovation. But for most actors it was probably a pretty good day when you could go home and say you had a standing ovation from Christopher Plummer who was in the front row.

Twelfth Night

It is such a thrill to see a play that you have seen several times before and see something totally new!
Des McAnuff's production managed it. Shakespeare did not write musicals, but somehow McAnuff managed to find enough in the music to make the play a musical. Who knew that Ben Carlson was a great singer?
This production brought several of the secondary characters to the forefront. Feste, played by Ben Carlson, became a lead. Usually he is an enigmatic figure that wanders around in the background making cryptic comments. In this production he drives a lot of the action.
The last production of the play that we saw carried the persecution of Malvolio to a point that made it seem cruel. This version maintains a level of jest that keeps it reasonable. Tom Rooney as Malvolio was funny and sad. And absolutely great.
Brian Dennehey was a lovely Sir Toby Belch, but was completely overwhelmed by Steven Ouimette as Sir Andrew Aguecheek. Was it a wardrobe malfunction or was it deliberate? who cares, it was just another note of hilarious business that made Ouimette's performance just about perfect.
Th main characters were good, including in particular Suzy Jane Hunt who was the stand by for Andrea Runge. What is a standby and how does it differ from an understudy? No idea , but she was great and clearly enjoyed the audience recognition at the end.
Cara Ricketts was definitely worth noting as Maria, and Sara Topham and Mike Shara remain favorites of mine and turned in solid performances as Olivia and Orsino.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Spectacular! The audience could hardly contain themselves they were so eager to clap and cheer, and gave a resounding standing ovation at the end.
Some terrific performances , both fro the usual suspects and from some people I had never noticed before. Paul Nolan was terrific as Jesus - I cannot understand why I have never noticed him before. He was Al in Grapes of Wrath and Bobby in Cabaret and Orlando in As You Like It, so not just a singer. but he certainly has a powerful voice. Another unknown, Josh Young was equally fantastic as Judas. I do remember his performance as Che, although his name did not stick. I hope it will now!
Bruce Dow did a terrific number as Herod, all decadent in red sequins. Brent Carver was brooding as Pontius Pilate - terrifically louche in his purple velvet lounge suit.
Chilina Kennedy once again demonstrated her star quality as Mary Magdalene. Marcus Nance has a bass voice so low it sounded like the thunder that was going on outside - fantastic as Caiapahas demanding the death of Christ. Mike Nadajewski was great as Peter.
The staging and choreography were spectacular.
Even though I am not a big fan of classic opera, Des McAnuff can make me a fan of rock opera.