Four actors, nine lives, four infidelities, and several unsolved and mysterious situations form the backbone of Andrew Bovell’s Speaking in Tongues, currently playing at the Belfry Theatre. Bovell, an Australian, and screenwriter first known for Simply Ballroom, penned Speaking in Tongues in 1996. It won an AWGIE in 1997, played to critical international acclaim, and was adapted for film as Lantana in 2001. Yet, somehow, it missed Canada. … [Read more...]
Dr Andrew Weaver – acclaimed climate scientist and – actor?
January 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Dr Andrew Weaver, acclaimed climate scientist, Nobel Prize winner, Oak Bay Gordon Head Green Party candidate and – actor? It was a chance comment by “Corky Blanshard” (in real life, actor Kathryn Popham) that lead me to the story of Dr Weaver’s transformation. I knew he had been a guest of Derwin Blanshard (Wes Borg) for Episode Two of Derwin Blanshard’s Extremely Classy Sunday Evening Programme, but how had he come to have a recurring, if … [Read more...]
That Face at Langham Court Theatre – a review
January 22, 2013 By 4 Comments
Langham Court Theatre’s production of That Face packs a ferocious emotional wallop as actors plumb the depths of a family in free fall. Be warned, this is not a tale of sweetness and light where everything is tidied up neatly at the end. Advised as being for “mature audiences” I would add that some individuals may find the content disturbing, and likely to include triggers. Polly Stenham erupted on the theatrical scene at the young age … [Read more...]
An Interview with Kirsten Van Ritzen, multi-talented performer
January 15, 2013 By 2 Comments
It seems that everywhere you turn lately you’ll see or hear Kirsten Van Ritzen. This popular Victoria-based actor, comedienne, writer and television producer has an incredibly busy schedule for the months of January and February; playing the mother in Polly Stenham’s hard-hitting, award-winning drama, That Face, at Langham Court Theatre while simultaneously launching a third season of the live-improvised serial, Sin City: Bedlam-by-Sea, and … [Read more...]
A Winter of Theatre in Victoria BC – Jan/Feb 2013
January 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Theatre companies in Victoria are launching 2013 with a number of dark plays (some of them dark comedies) deemed “suitable for mature audiences”, as well as ground-breaking trans-media and immersive experiences at the new Winterlab Festival. Families will be happy to hear of a new Family Theatre Festival, and lovers of multi-cultural story telling will want to check out WorldPlay (re-scheduled to March 7-10th) Sin City returns for a third … [Read more...]
Theatre Recap for 2012
January 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Following on Lois Watson's lead, (Lois is a stage manager based in Vancouver who I originally met online), here is my theatre recap for 2012. I saw 105 productions (a far cry from Lois' 174): 67 during the regular season, and 38 at the Victoria Fringe Festival. I've listed them in chronological order. There were 72 theatre related posts on this blog, including 28 reviews, 3 interviews, 5 seasonal posts and over 20 previews. I'd like to … [Read more...]
Theatre for the holidays in Victoria BC, December 2012
December 21, 2012 By 2 Comments
There's nothing quite like the theatre to whisk you away, and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with tickets to an awesome show and time with family and friends. The theatrical offerings this year from December 21st to year end are varied, ranging from the traditional (A Christmas Carol and St Luke's Christmas pantomine), to variety/vaudeville (Derwin Blanshard and Atomic Vaudeville) , dance (Pandora's Box), and even more … [Read more...]
Kafka the Musical by Murray Gold at Theatre Inconnu. A review.
November 30, 2012 By 1 Comment
Kafka the Musical is a mad-cap, whirlwind, absurdist descent, into the delirious mind of one of the early 20th century’s most influential writers and thinkers, Franz Kafka. It was originally written in 2011 as a BBC radio play by Murray Gold, playwright, and compose for the BBC's Dr. Who series. David Tennant, as Kafka, was named Best Actor at the inaugural BBC Audio Drama Awards in January 2012. Composer Murray Gold By unique and happy … [Read more...]
Lady Windemere’s Fan at Langham Court Theatre. A review.
November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The volunteers at Langham Court Theatre have devoted countless hours preparing Lady Windemere’s Fan for the stage, and it shows in all aspects of the current production. Sets are beautiful, costumes exquisite and the acting a strong example of excellent ensemble work, with shining moments of drama, wit and comedy. The legendary Oscar Wilde, essayist and social critic, wrote Lady Windemere’s Fan in 1892; it was staged for the first time … [Read more...]
Ghosts of the Plaza – a review
November 22, 2012 By 3 Comments
I’m not sure the exact amount of the City of Victoria 150 grant received to help produce Ghosts of the Plaza (currently playing at the Oddfellows Lodge until November 24th) but, to my mind, it is money very well spent. This engaging interactive theatre production takes us behind the scenes of a once-much-loved local landmark (The Victoria Plaza Hotel) to tell the tales of local characters we don’t normally hear much about. Ghosts of the Plaza … [Read more...]
