Wild Honey at the UVic Phoenix Theatre February 11 – 20, 2016. A review.

Wild Honey at the UVic Phoenix Theatre February 11 - 20, 2016. A review. Wild Honey, by Michael Frayn, currently at the UVic Phoenix Theatre (February 11-20, 2016) is equal parts Greek tragedy, Shakespearean comedy of errors, and modern day soap opera, liberally salted with Frayn’s signature farcical stylings. Frayn, well-known for the hilarious comedy Noises Off, and the award-winning drama Copenhagen, was also a Russian translator in his … [Read more...]

Atomic Vaudeville Presents: Action Revue Feel the Fight. Interview with Britt Small.

Atomic Vaudeville Presents: Action Revue Feel the Fight. Interview with Britt Small. I missed the Action Revue workshop in 2015 so when the media release for Action Revue: Feel the Fight landed in my email in-box, I knew that I would be making time to attend this year's version.  Atomic Vaudeville co-founder, and member of the Action Revue creative team, Britt Small agreed to answer a few questions about the show and the process. The … [Read more...]

The Valley by Joan MacLeod at the Belfry Theatre February 5-28, 2016. A review.

The Valley by Joan MacLeod at the Belfry Theatre February 5- 28, 2016. A review. The Valley by Joan MacLeod (currently at the Belfry Theatre February 5-28, 2016) is tight, taut, topical theatre, unrestrained in its deep and compassionate examination of a very contemporary and universal issue. In the years since Rober Dziekanski’s death prompted Joan MacLeod to begin writing The Valley, devastating encounters between police officers and … [Read more...]

The Handmade Tale by Paper Street Theatre Co. Interview with Missie Peters.

The Handmade Tale by Paper Street Theatre Co. Interview with Missie Peters.  February 17-20, 2016. Paper Street Theatre Co, for the last show of their 2015-2016 season, focuses on the dystopian fiction of renowned Canadian writer Margaret Atwood.  What a challenge! Regular improv player Missie Peters kindly answered questions about this up-coming show. Photo: Derek Ford Atwood’s dystopian fiction started with The Handmaid’s Tale, continued … [Read more...]

Enigmatic Events presents Murder by Midnight. January 30-February 13, 2016. A review.

Enigmatic Events presents Murder by Midnight. January 30-February 13, 2016. A review. Murder by Midnight, a live interactive murder mystery dinner theatre (at the Ambrosia Centre) hosted by Enigmatic Events (February 5/6 and 12/13, 2016) is part live game of Clue, part closed room dinner theatre mystery à la Agatha Christie and part puzzle enthusiasts meet-up, and the most fun I’ve had with a group of strangers in a long time. What an absolute … [Read more...]

Into the Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A review.

Into the Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A review. The large performance hall (formerly the church hall of St Mary’s Oak Bay) at the Canadian College of Performing Arts has been transformed, once again, into a magical world for the final performance of the 2015-2016 Company C year—Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. There’s something warm and inviting about the space with its vaulted roof, reminiscent of an … [Read more...]

Double Diamond at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, January 22-February 20, 2016. A review.

Double Diamond at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, January 22-February 20, 2016. A review. Bill Zaalberg (Double Diamond) is close in age to Neil Diamond, and like Diamond, has been performing since he was young, having formed Victoria’s first rock band in 1961 before making music his full-time profession in 1975 when he resigned from the telephone company. Although an admitted “shy person” (as is Diamond himself) he is an experienced and smooth … [Read more...]

Dance Victoria presents Dance Days 2016 January 22-31.

Dance Victoria presents Dance Days 2016 January 22-31.  (media release) Dance Victoria’s popular city-wide Dance Days event is back for its seventh year featuring free classes in all kinds of styles in studios all over town. This year the free classes include a larger dance fitness component for adult beginner, intermediate and professional levels that’ll move you. You can try your hand (or foot) at salsa, swing, flamenco, yoga, nia, zumba … [Read more...]

A Winter of Theatre 2016 in Victoria BC. January and February.

A Winter of Theatre in Victoria BC 2016. January and February. Over the past few years, the normally staid months of January and February have been a hive of activity as local theatre groups launch new projects and regular seasons and series. This year is no exception with 23 productions in January and February (and I'm sure more will be added as I  become aware of them).  I most apologize for the late posting of this article. The beginning of … [Read more...]

Into The Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A preview.

Into The Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A preview. It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies. It’s been 10 years since my son Elliott Loran first became a student at the Canadian College of Performing Arts and I still remember, fondly, the productions of the inaugural season of Company C, the year III program that sees students forming their own repertory company and taking on roles from production to performance. To cap … [Read more...]