As darkness falls earlier and earlier, comes a hankering for terrifying tales to entertain us during long evenings. At times, we stumble from the comfort of warm homes, enticed by the prospects of time spent wandering the hallways of a stately mansion in the company of accomplished thespians. Giggling Iguana Productions and Launch Pad Productions propose a creative re-telling and re-working of the Dracula legend for your pleasure. poster by … [Read more...]
84, Charing Cross Road by Langham Court Theatre – a review
October 9, 2012 By 2 Comments
In a world obsessed with real-time, instantaneous connection, it might seem quaint that two people could maintain a long distance business relationship over decades, and deepen their friendship as a result. 84, Charing Cross Road, the opening play of Langham Court’s 84th season, shows a modern audience just how this is possible. With erudite wit, and intellectual thrust-and-parry, writer Helene Hanff (Jennifer Hoener) and bookstore employee … [Read more...]
Blackbird by Theatre Inconnu – a review
October 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
David Harrower’s play Blackbird, currently at Theatre Inconnu, brings to light the morally complicated lives of two individuals, linked previously in a power-imbalanced relationship when the female protagonist was 12. Now 27, Una (Jess Amy Shead) tracks down Ray (Graham McDonald), and confronts her abuser. What follows is a tense, staccato exchange where sympathies ebb and flow. Harrower’s dialogue has been compared to Mamet’s, and … [Read more...]
A Fall of Theatre in Victoria BC 2012
September 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Summer (replete with plays and festivals) is over, school and university are back in session, and the Victoria theatre community is pulling out all the stops for a fantastic fall that will see close to 30 shows and events. Belfry Theatre starts the season with the Tony-award-winning play Red, direction by Artistic Director Michael Shamata in a co-production with Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and is followed shortly after by the Canadian College … [Read more...]
Gametes and Gonads – A Fundraiser for Story Theatre, September 17th
September 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Jeff Leard last appeared locally in Gametes and Gonads at the 2011 Victoria Fringe Festival. This summer he toured across the country to great reviews. The apple did not fall far from the tree as far as Jeff is concerned – his father Jim is the founder of Story Theatre Company. Jeff shares his quirky and ribald sense of humour and performs multiple characters in rapid succession. He's bringing Gametes and Gonads back to Victoria as a … [Read more...]
Vancouver Fringe Festival 2012 – Suggestions from the Victoria Fringe
September 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I am not primarily a reviewer, but I do see a lot of theatre – 38 shows at this year’s Victoria Fringe Festival (and somehow I managed NOT to see all the shows from Victoria going on to Vancouver). Here are my recommendations for shows that were in Victoria this year (or last). The productions are uniformly excellent. However, my taste in theatre may not be yours. Caveat emptor! I’ve listed the shows alphabetically, as they are indexed … [Read more...]
Victoria Fringe Festival 2012 – my “local” picks
August 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
