17 Stories by Bema Productions November 29/20 in Victoria BC at Congregation Emanu-El Synagoge. Life is full of small happenstances. I would not have known about Victoria's newest theatre company, Bema Productions, if I hadn't stopped to chat after RKO Productions' Rocky Horror Show. Little did I know that Jessica Van der Veen, who I knew more for her political forays, was an actor. Following the great success of the arts festival celebrating … [Read more...]
The Small Room at the Top of the Stairs at Langham Court Theatre. A review.
November 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Small Room at the Top of the Stairs at Langham Court Theatre. A review. The Small Room at the Top of the Stairs, currently at Langham Court Theatre, November 18-December 6, 2014 is rich, replete with interpretations and claustrophobic in its psychological intensity. Grace (Julie Forrest) has everything a young woman can desire—a rich husband, Henry (Justin Carter) who loves her and showers her with gifts, a beautiful mansion (28 rooms of … [Read more...]
Alice vs Wonderland at Blue Bridge Theatre. Interview with director Sara-Jeanne Hosie.
November 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Alice vs Wonderland at Blue Bridge Theatre. Interview with Director Sara-Jean Hosie. November 23-December 14, 2014 in Victoria BC. The second show in Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre’s “Gold Standards” seventh season features a re-mixing of Alice in Wonderland by Brendan Shea, Alice vs Wonderland billed as “Lady Gaga meets Lewis Carroll”. Sara-Jean Hosie last directed My Fair Lady for Blue Bridge in 2013, and was approached by Artistic … [Read more...]
Art Walks, Studio Tours and Sales for the Holiday Season 2014. Victoria BC.
November 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Art Walks, Studio Tours and Sales for the Holiday Season 2014. Victoria BC. I make a regular practice of visiting art galleries, shows and studios during the year, but some of my most cherished memories relate to art viewing during the holiday season. The Victoria Gallery Walk celebrates its 17th year in 2014 and is one of my holiday traditions. More recently, small works shows have come into vogue and will be of interest to people who … [Read more...]
Venus in Fur at the Belfry Theatre. A review.
November 14, 2014 By 2 Comments
Venus in Fur at the Belfry Theatre. A review. To portray Venus in Fur, currently at the Belfry Theatre November 11-December 14, as a play uniquely about S&M is akin to calling the Pacific Ocean a pond. Venus in Fur opens with a bang—to the rumblings and claps of a thunderstorm—and the sparks fly continually for the next 100 minutes without let-up. Vince Gale (Thomas) and Celine Stubel (Vanda Jordan) last appeared together at the … [Read more...]
Camelot in Concert presented by Pacific Opera Victoria and the Victoria Symphony
November 13, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Camelot in Concert presented by Pacific Opera Victoria and the Victoria Symphony. November 22nd and 23rd, 2014 in Victoria BC. Media release. I had the opportunity to attend the very first co-production by Pacific Opera Victoria and the Victoria Symphony last year when they presented a beautiful version of South Pacific. It proved so popular with audiences that these two venerable Victoria arts institutions decided to repeat this happy … [Read more...]
The Secret Garden presented by Four Seasons Musical Theatre. November 14-22, 2014.
November 13, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The Secret Garden presented by Four Seasons Musical Theatre. November 14-22,2014 in Victoria BC (Langford and Sidney). Media release. Four Seasons Musical Theatre invites the public to enter The Secret Garden this November. Based on the enchanting classic of children's literature, the musical follows Mary Lennox, a young girl raised in the British Raj who is orphaned by a cholera outbreak and sent to a darkened Yorkshire manor house to live … [Read more...]
A Place to Listen season three. A conversation with Daniel and Laura Brandes.
November 13, 2014 By Leave a Comment
A Place to Listen season three. A conversation with Daniel and Laura Brandes. I had the opportunity recently to sit down with Daniel Brandes, co-founder with his wife Laura, of A Place to Listen, the listening series— now in its third season—that takes place every third Wednesday of the month at James Bay United Church (corner of Michigan and Menzies). I spoke with Daniel over coffee and then Laura added her thoughts via e-mail. Since … [Read more...]
James and Jamesy in High Tea. November 13-16, 2014 Victoria BC.
November 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
James and Jamesy in High Tea. November 13-16, 2014 Victoria BC. One of my favourite duos, the acclaimed, multi-award-winning James and Jamesy return to Victoria BC with their summer 2014 Fringe hit High Tea. Unknown to Fringe audiences before 2013, their high energy physical performance attracted attention and garnered sell-outs from coast to coast. In particular, I was struck with their ability to incorporate four audience members into the … [Read more...]
Fête Française avec Charlotte Diamond November 15 2014
November 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Fête Française avec Charlotte Diamond November 15 2014. Presented by Canadian Parents for French in Victoria BC. My children who grew up in the francophone education system (Conseil Scolaire Francophone) rather than in the immersion stream, were nonetheless big fans of Charlotte Diamond. I still remember hits like "Four Hugs a Day" and "May There Always Be Sunshine" and look forward to introducing this longstanding and prolific artist to my … [Read more...]
