I love the Victoria Fringe Festival! When my kids were growing up, I only attended the odd show here and there, but that all changed in 2006 when my second son moved away to take a job as a historical interpreter at the MacLean Mill in Port Alberni. Without two teenage boys to feed and house, there was suddenly disposable income. 2006 was the 20th anniversary of the Victoria Fringe, and I managed to see more shows that year than in all the … [Read more...]
Victoria Fringe Festival 2012 – my “away” picks
August 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Disclaimers first: In 2006 I was bitten HARD by the Fringe bug and have gradually increased the number of shows I see from 20 then to 38 shows at last year’s Victoria Fringe Festival. (There are people who see more than me - and they are my Fellow Fringe Fanatics). During the year I volunteer regularly with Atomic Vaudeville, Intrepid Theatre, The Canadian College of Performing Arts and Theatre SKAM. I attend the Belfry, Theatre Inconnu, … [Read more...]
The 2nd Annual Fringetastic Theatre Festival in Nanaimo BC
August 15, 2012 By 4 Comments
The Fringetastic Theatre Festival in Nanaimo is back for a second year, and artistic producer Jer Banks has expanded not only the number of shows, but days too. In addition, their newest partner and sponsor, The Port Theatre, will serve as a Fringe Hub every evening from 7 until late, starting August 15 with THE PREVIEW SHOW (sampler performances that allow you to get the inside scoop before the festival starts on August 16th). There is music at … [Read more...]
Henry IV (Part One) by Keep it Simple Productions – a review
August 15, 2012 By 3 Comments
We've been very fortunate this summer (2012) to have three Shakespeare companies mount shows for Victoria audiences. For me, it’s been a case of too much theatre, too little time. I missed the opening weekend of Keep It Simple Productions Henry IV Part One at the Metro Studio due to holiday plans, so when KIS Artistic Director David Christopher contacted me with a request to come and see the show and write a review I was happy to oblige. Let … [Read more...]
Victoria Represents at the Edmonton Fringe
August 14, 2012 By 3 Comments
It was a chance comment by Morgan Cranny about taking his show ReRentless (co-produced with Wes Borg) to the Edmonton Fringe that got me thinking. I knew that Ingrid Hansen (Little Orange Man), Mike Delamont (God is a Scottish Drag Queen) and Peter ‘n Chris (The Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel) had arranged a bring-your-own-venue at La Cité Francophone, but were there other Victoria-based or Victoria-connected performers appearing at this … [Read more...]
Little Shop of Horrors – Blue Bridge Theatre – a review
August 2, 2012 By 2 Comments
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre has definitely knocked it out of the park with the final production of their 2012 season - Little Shop of Horrors. From the moment the curtain opens to reveal the incredible printed backdrop (featuring an iconic 1950s New York alley streetscape) to the closing number, the show is replete with an incredible array of stylistic and vocal elements that taken together, make it a banquet for musical theatre … [Read more...]
Big Mama! The Willie Mae Thornton Story at the Belfry Theatre. A review.
July 30, 2012 By 4 Comments
I sit, mesmerized, eyes closing, as “Big Mama” (Jackie Richardson) sings the slowest, most heart-felt rendition of Summertime I have ever heard, seeming to tease my very soul from its body. Big Mama! The Willie Mae Thornton Story, a Belfry Theatre/National Arts Centre co-production, is a blues musical feast, exposing Victoria audiences to an often under-appreciated stalwart of the 1950s-1980s blues scene. I am a blues fan, but, … [Read more...]
CCPA Performing Arts Party at Uptown
July 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
As I’ve shared before, there is a special place in my heart for the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA). The Canadian College of Performing Arts is one of Canada’s top training centres for a career in the arts. Over the past 14 years, the Victoria-based College has made a difference in the lives of gifted young artists who have taken major steps towards their goals of becoming performers, teachers and arts leaders in communities across … [Read more...]
Announcing the first Singe Festival, Victoria BC, August 24th – September 2nd
July 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Announcing Victoria’s very first “off-Fringe” Festival - The Singe Festival (August 24th – September 2nd) featuring three of Victoria’s hottest and best known performers: Mike Delamont (Pick of the Fringe comedian 2011), Dave Morris (Pick of the Fringe improviser 2011) and Missie Peters (M-Award winning spoken word artist). Disappointed at not being selected in the Fringe lottery, and well aware that this year the Victoria Fringe Festival … [Read more...]
The Path by Impulse Theatre – a review
July 5, 2012 By 2 Comments
As the warm July day reaches a soft close and the sun heads slowly west, imbuing the air with golden light, we're gathered in the reception area of The English Inn, a period 1906 McClure mansion, prior to embarking on The Path, the newest site-specific interactive theatre experience from emerging Victoria company, Impulse Theatre. With drinks in hand, we follow our guide down the back stairs and into the magnificent gardens. She briefly … [Read more...]
