Escape from Happiness at Langham Court Theatre April 21-May 7, 2016. A review. After the well-received Better Living in 2013, Langham Court Theatre returns to the zany, dysfunctional world—where nothing is at it seems--of the working class Quinn family with Escape From Happiness by George F Walker, one of Canada’s most prolific playwrights. Reprising roles from the 2013 production, Lorene Cammiade (mother Nora), Wayne Yercha (father Tom) … [Read more...]
Escape from Happiness at Langham Court Theatre April 21-May 7, 2016. A review.
April 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Vasily Djokavich: Russia’s #1 State Approved Comedian. Interview with Morgan Cranny.
April 19, 2016 By 2 Comments
Vasily Djokavich: Russia's #1 State Approved Comedian. Interview with Morgan Cranny. Morgan Cranny is one of the hardest working local comedians and actors in Victoria—a member of the legendary local troupe Atomic Vaudeville, an improviser with the hit serial Sin City since its Victoria début, a regular at comedy open mics, warm up comedian on CVV TV, side-kick to Derwin Blanshard’s on the Extremely Classy Sunday Evening Programme, performing … [Read more...]
Puttin’ on the Ritz at the Belfry Theatre April 12-May 8, 2016. A review.
April 15, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Puttin’ on the Ritz at the Belfry Theatre April 12-May 8, 2016. A review. The Belfry Theatre closes the 40th season in high-style with a return to its roots, reprising the very first show Puttin’ on the Ritz. The current production, directed by Glynis Leyshon (who also directed the 20th anniversary production) is snappy and swanky, elegant and silly, with tunes audiences will be humming for hours afterwards. Conceived by Don Shipley, … [Read more...]
Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival April 12-16, 2016. Celebrating 5 years as a company.
April 8, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival April 12-16, 2016. Celebrating 5 years as a company. I was first introduced to the improvisation techniques of Dave Morris in 2009 with his hit Victoria Fringe show—Dave Morris is an Asshole (definitely a catchy and fringy title). In 2011 he founded Paper Street Theatre with the express desire to develop a literary-based long-form style, and attracted some of the city’s finest improvisers to his … [Read more...]
The Charming of the Shrew by Launch Pad Theatre Co March 31-April 9 2016 at Craigdarroch Castle
April 4, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Charming of the Shrew by Launch Pad Theatre Co March 31-April 9 2016 at Craigdarroch Castle. In the elegant surroundings of a beautiful mansion, a group of cultured ladies and gentlemen bid you welcome as they proceed to desport themselves for your enjoyment. David Radford and Christina Patterson of Launch Pad Theatre Co. present a vigorous modern version of Shakespeare’s classic, now re-named, The Charming of the Shrew. As a conceit, … [Read more...]
Catalyst by Island Circus Space April 2 & 3 2016 in Victoria BC
April 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Catalyst by Island Circus Space April 2 & 3 2016 in Victoria BC. Jake West of Island Circus Space is a man with a mission and a vision—to bring a professional-level circus school and performing community to Victoria BC. Since arriving in Victoria, he’s gathered a group of high-level circus performers, among them graduates of l’École Nationale de Cirque and former Cirque de Soleil members, with the express goal of creating this … [Read more...]
Ten Theatre Festivals for 2016 in Victoria BC.
March 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Ten Theatre Festivals for 2016 in Victoria BC Victoria is a city of theatre with over 50 companies (both large and small, new and established, traditional and emerging) regularly producing work. This is the year the Belfry Theatre celebrates its 40th season, Paper Street Theatre celebrates its fifth and the Victoria Fringe Festival turns 30! As I began to catalogue the many events audiences can look forward to in 2016, I came to the … [Read more...]
21 Ways to Make the World Last Longer. Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2016. A review.
March 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
21 Ways to Make the World Last Longer. Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2016. A review. Exquisite enchantment and home-spun wisdom couple in 21 Ways to Make the World Last Longer—currently celebrating its world premiere at the Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival (March 22-26, 2016). In a series of short vignettes, the personages in Cathy Stubington (Runaway Moon Theatre) and James Tait’s original work come to life with alacrity. Craftsmanship is … [Read more...]
The Gay Heritage Project at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2016. A review.
March 23, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Gay Heritage Project at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2016. A review. Begin with what you know—or, in the case of Damian Atkins, Paul Dunn and Andrew Kushnir, the uber-creative team responsible for The Gay Heritage Project (currently at the Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival March 22-26, 2016)—what you do not know. In an entertaining, challenging, and at-times-breezy compendium that simultaneously dives deep into intimate details and sweeps the … [Read more...]
Promotions 101 for Fringe Artists
March 21, 2016 By Leave a Comment
This article was originally written for the online Charlebois Post in April 2013. Since this publication ceased operations in January 2015, I asked for permission to re-publish it here. Promotions 101 for Fringe Artists In an ever-evolving media landscape, the prospect of promoting a show on the Fringe circuit, whether in a single city, or across the country, may seem daunting. It needn’t be. From my perspective, as theatre-goer, active … [Read more...]
