Shakespeare in Love: Scenes of Love from Shakespeare at Craigdarroch Castle, February 7-15, 2014 Valentine’s Day has a special meaning for my husband and me since our anniversary is February 12th. And what better way, as an arts-lover, to celebrate both than to partake in Shakespeare in Love: Scenes of Love from Shakespeare at CraigdarrochCastle. Staged by Giggling Iguana Productions and the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival (GVSF) … [Read more...]
Shakespeare in Love: Scenes of Love from Shakespeare at Craigdarroch Castle, February 7-15,2014
February 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre presents A Glass Menagerie February 11th-23rd, 2014.
February 5, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre founding artists Victor Dolhai and Sarah Jane Pelzer portrayed childhood sweethearts in The Fantasticks (2009). Five years later they return as brother and sister in A Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams Pulitzer-award-winning memory play (February 11th-23rd, 2014). I caught up with Victor and Sarah for a chat about the play, their careers since 2009 and the importance of Blue Bridge to the local Victoria … [Read more...]
The Timebenders at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. A review.
January 31, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The Timebenders have been entertaining fans for the past 21 years, and yet, I'm ashamed to admit I had never been to one of their shows. All this changed recently with a kind invitation from the Oak Bay Beach Hotel to attend opening night in the David Foster Foundation Theatre. Founder Tom Watson has been coaxed out of retirement to join the very professional ensemble of musicians and singers, to the great delight of the group's … [Read more...]
Winterlab 2014. Q and A with Dustin Harvey of Secret Theatre.
January 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Do you come from Victoria, or have your moved here from elsewhere? What does “home” mean to you? Dustin Harvey of Secret Theatre will be investigating the notion of place (and home) in two works during Intrepid Theatre’s Winterlab (January 25th – February 1st). We Are Here takes place during the opening Winterlab Fête January 25th and Farewell Victoria closes the festival (January 31st and February 1st). I had the opportunity to ask … [Read more...]
Cabaret at Langham Court Theatre. A review.
January 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Life is a cabaret—or is it? There is plenty to ponder amid the hummable songs and intricate dance numbers of Cabaret currently playing at Langham Court Theatre to sold-out houses (January 15-February 1, 2014). At heart, Cabaret is the classic tale of a young American (Griffin Lea as Cliff Bradshaw) bound for Europe and adventure. Set in Berlin during the heady and decadent between-wars time of the WeimarRepublic, this on-the-surface … [Read more...]
Home is a Beautiful Word at the Belfry Theatre. A review.
January 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Home is a Beautiful Word, currently at the Belfry Theatre (January 7-19th), is proof positive that contemporary theatre is relevant. By turns stark, hard-hitting, sad, brave, uncomfortable and funny, this well-researched verbatim-theatre play challenges assumptions about homelessness by reflecting the points of view of a wide range of Victorians. Playwright and journalist Joel Bernbaum was commissioned by the Belfry Theatre, and has spent … [Read more...]
Ignorance by the Old Trout Puppet Workshop. Victoria BC review.
January 10, 2014 By 1 Comment
It’s time to put on your silly hat, leave the judging adult behind and surrender to delight - the Old Trout Puppet Workshop has arrived in Victoria for the first time since 2007 (Famous Puppet Death Scenes) with Ignorance (playing January 7-18th at Blue Bridge at the Roxy as part of the Presenter’s Series). If you believe that puppets are limited to characters like Casey on Mr. Dressup, or the traditional Punch and Judy, prepare to have your … [Read more...]
Company C presents Zorba the Musical December 13-15, 2013
December 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Company C presents Zorba, the musical, December 13 – 15, 2013 in Victoria BC. I’ve got a very special spot in my heart * for the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA), and for Company C, their Year III students who produce three shows in four months (September to December) taking on all aspects of production (choreography, costumes, publicity, lighting, stage management, sound) other than directing. For their final production of 2013, … [Read more...]
An Improvised John Hughes by Paper Street Theatre – review
December 12, 2013 By 1 Comment
John Hughes may have dropped out of the spotlight in 1991, long before his untimely passing in 2009, but the teen films he crafted continue to resonate with a younger generation, if this week’s An Improvised John Hughes, by Paper Street Theatre Company, is any indication. The audience bopped to the beat of the 80s montage laid down by master musical improviser - and erstwhile DJ - Dan Godlovich and laughed out-loud to recognize the many … [Read more...]
My Gift is for the Trees, an Emily Carr Christmas. A review
December 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
As a native West Coaster, all my life I have longed for Christmas iconography and tradition that celebrates Christmas and the holiday season as I know it – surrounded by nature, and often with an absence of snow. In creating My Gift is for the Trees: an Emily Carr Christmas, Tim Gosley has tapped into the current fascination with storytelling and trans-media. The performance is an inventive multi-generational “play within a play within a … [Read more...]
