Michael Healey’s play Proud, currently at the Belfry Theatre (February 11-March 9, 2014) is an outrageous, provocative, sexy and very funny tale of the behind-the-scenes political machinations of Canada’s prime minister. Proud has been surrounded by controversy since it’s inception. Healey (author of The Drawer Boy—seen at the Belfry in 2000) was the playwright-in-residence at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre; he resigned when Proud was pulled from … [Read more...]
Proud at the Belfry Theatre February 11-March 9, 2014. A review.
February 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The Timebenders at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. A review.
January 31, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The Timebenders have been entertaining fans for the past 21 years, and yet, I'm ashamed to admit I had never been to one of their shows. All this changed recently with a kind invitation from the Oak Bay Beach Hotel to attend opening night in the David Foster Foundation Theatre. Founder Tom Watson has been coaxed out of retirement to join the very professional ensemble of musicians and singers, to the great delight of the group's … [Read more...]
Chor Leoni presents Cadillac Cathedral Feb 1 in Victoria, Feb 2 in Nanaimo
January 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Chor Leoni presents Cadillac Cathedral. No writer better embodies what it is to live on Vancouver Island, for me, than the venerable Jack Hodgins, author and professor emeritus at the University of Victoria. I came late to his work, in the 2000s, and still remember reading passages of The Invention of the World (his first novel, written in 1977) and veritably smelling the tang of the beach at high tide, and hearing the crunch of sand under … [Read more...]
University of Victoria School of Music presents tribute to Mahler Jan 6 – 11 2014
December 13, 2013 By 1 Comment
A tribute to Mahler, presented by the University of Victoria School of Music, January 6 - 11, 2014, includes Song of the Earth (Das Lied von der Erde). My knowledge of Mahler - sadly - is limited to the 1974 biographical film by Ken Russell, so when Kristy Farkas, the Concert Manager for the UVic School of Music, contacted me with news of a week-long Mahler tribute, I knew that I had to add some of the events to my arts calendar. I've also … [Read more...]
My Gift is for the Trees, an Emily Carr Christmas. A review
December 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
As a native West Coaster, all my life I have longed for Christmas iconography and tradition that celebrates Christmas and the holiday season as I know it – surrounded by nature, and often with an absence of snow. In creating My Gift is for the Trees: an Emily Carr Christmas, Tim Gosley has tapped into the current fascination with storytelling and trans-media. The performance is an inventive multi-generational “play within a play within a … [Read more...]
Arts Adventures for the Holidays in Victoria BC December 2013
December 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Arts Adventures for the Holidays in Victoria BC, December 2013 There is truly something for everyone in Victoria this up-coming holiday season. Whether you enjoy theatre, music or dance, local arts organizations have prepared wonderful holiday-themed events for your consideration. It's Christmas: a sparkling, musical, holiday revue continues Fridays and Saturdays throughout December at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. A talented cast of singers … [Read more...]
“It’s Christmas” holiday revue at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel
November 27, 2013 By 2 Comments
The new Oak Bay Beach Hotel celebrates its first anniversary (December 1st) in style with many Christmas-themed events throughout the month. Whether you are of the Christian faith or not, Christmas for most people is tied up in remembrances and nostalgia, dreams of childhood and past celebrations. Since everyone has their own interpretation of the “perfect” holiday, it is extremely challenging to design a program that will appeal to the … [Read more...]
Canary Club Speakeasy a Fundraiser for Atomic Vaudeville November 28, 2013
November 25, 2013 By 1 Comment
It's hard to imagine - Atomic Vaudeville, co-founded by Jacob Richmond and Britt Small in 2004, is now in its tenth season. The collective of new and emerging local actors, writers, musicians, artists and performers has staged over 60 cabarets and new works, winning multiple awards in the process. With hits like Ride The Cyclone, Legoland, The Qualities of Zero, and The History of Everything to their credit, they are about to embark on another … [Read more...]
South Pacific musical co-presented by Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria Nov 23/24, 2013
November 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Two of Victoria's largest performing arts organizations, the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria, collaborate on a production of the beloved musical South Pacific (Rodgers and Hammerstein) with performances November 23rd and 24th 2013 at the Royal Theatre. “This is a first”, declared POV Artistic Director Timothy Vernon. “It’s the first time that Victoria audiences will experience this Broadway musical with a full orchestra and … [Read more...]
The Passionate Muse: The Life and Music of Pauline Viardot-Garcia Nov 8-10 2013
November 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Wagner presents The Passionate Muse: The Life and Music of Pauline Viardot-Garcia. Wagner first learned of Viardot-Garcia when she sang her compositions. When she did research, she learned that this accomplished vocalist was also a composer of more than 200 pieces, and yet, she remains largely unknown to contemporary North American audiences. Photo: Ergsap on Flickr The Passionate Muse: The Life and Music of Pauline … [Read more...]
