Alien Creature: A Visitation from Gwendolyn MacEwen at Theatre Inconnu. A review. If the measure of a successful theatrical production is the number of questions it poses to an audience, who then rush immediately to the library or internet for more information and answers—can any director, actor or company hope for more? Every time I attend a Theatre Inconnu production I am confounded with my own cultural ignorance—the gaps in my … [Read more...]
Alien Creature A Visitation from Gwendolyn MacEwen at Theatre Inconnu. A review.
February 18, 2015 By 2 Comments
Langham Court Theatre announces 2015-2016 season.
February 17, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Langham Court Theatre announces 2015-2016 season. Victoria BC. Season Subscriptions will be on sale April 2015; they are a great idea since, in my experience, many of Langham Theatre's shows sell out quickly and the casual theatre-goer is often disappointed. Langham Court Theatre celebrates their 87th season in a historic Rockland residence--site to the original carriage house and barn of “The Laurels” – the home of the Robert Ward family, … [Read more...]
Lion in the Streets at UVic Phoenix Theatre February 12-21 2015. A review.
February 16, 2015 By 1 Comment
Lion in the Streets at UVic Phoenix Theatre February 12-21, 2015. A review. Twenty five years have not dimmed the provocative power and searing intensity of Judith Thompson’s Lion in the Streets (currently at the University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre February 10-21). Written in 1990 as a heart cry to current events in her Toronto neighbourhood, this dark tale prowls on the edges of human story and experience, digging into corners most would … [Read more...]
CCPA Alumni at the Stratford Festival 2014. Interview.
February 14, 2015 By Leave a Comment
In 2014, I realized a long-held dream and travelled to Ontario for the Stratford Festival where my son, Elliott Loran, was performing in his first season. Elliott is a graduate of the Canada College of Performing Arts (CCPA) and it hadn’t escaped my notice that three other graduates—Matt Alano, Matthew Armet and Galen Johnson—were also members of the company. It’s a distinct honour for CCPA, a relatively small college situated far from the … [Read more...]
Theatre Inconnu announces 2015 season
February 10, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Theatre Inconnu announces 2015 season. Victoria BC. I'm a big fan of Theatre Inconnu since first being introduced to the company in 2005 when they produced George Riga's Ecstasy of Rita Joe. Consistently, over the years, I have come to rely on their programming for some of the most challenging theatre in Victoria. Working with minimal budget and a combination of community and equity actors and crew, artistic director Clayton Jevne continues … [Read more...]
Black History Month 2015 in Victoria BC
February 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Black History Month 2015 in Victoria BC A Black History and Heritage Day (February 15th), an evening of performance and song (February 23 at the Belfry Theatre), a gala awards night (February 28th at the Copper Owl), a cemetery tour (February 22nd) and three presentations make up the very ambitious schedule in celebration of BC Black History Month February 2015 in Victoria. Many people are not even aware of the significant role black … [Read more...]
The Best Brothers and How To Disappear Completely at the Belfry Theatre. A review.
February 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
The Best Brothers and How to Disappear Completely at the Belfry Theatre. A review. January 27-March1, 2015. It’s a departure from the usual for the Belfry Theatre to schedule two one-act plays as a main stage production—indeed, it’s the first time in over 25 years they have done so. Artistic director Michael Shamata was so impressed with The Best Brothers by acclaimed Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor, originally staged at the Stratford … [Read more...]
Puente Theatre presents WorldPlay 2015 in Victoria Bc
February 2, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Puente Theatre presents WORLDPLAY 2015 in Victoria BC Victoria-based Puente Theatre presents a festival of staged readings of plays from around the world Sundays from February 8-March 1 at the Belfry Theatre in Studio A. It's a chance to experience the works of artists largely unknown to anglo-Canadian audiences. This summer look for Lieutenant Nun at the Victoria Fringe Festival as Puente Theatre participates in the SKAM Remixed project … [Read more...]
People by Alan Bennett at Langham Court Theatre January 14-31, 2015. A review.
January 18, 2015 By 4 Comments
People by Alan Bennett at Langham Court Theatre January 13-31, 2015. A review. Alan Bennett is, at 80, a national treasure in Britain, and the opening of any new play a hot ticket at the National Theatre. Written in 2012, his latest work, People is a scathing indictment of the National Trust (among other sacred cows destined for his acidic pen). The Langham Court Theatre 2014-2015 production chair and play-reading committee are to be … [Read more...]
Sin City Season Five: Space, the funniest frontier
January 16, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Sin City: Season Five: SPACE (the funniest frontier). Kirsten Van Ritzen and Ian Ferguson of Broad Theatrics arrived in Victoria in 2010 and immediately set about shaking up the local theatre, improv and comedy culture. One of their first projects was to re-create a version of the extremely successful weekly improvised serial they had originated in Edmonton (Die Nasty--now in its 24th year), then taken to Toronto and Los Angeles. Seasons … [Read more...]
