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...]
Mom’s The Word – Remixed! at the Belfry Theatre
August 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Is there any wonder the moms involved in "Mom's the Word - Remixed" have been able to make their living as performers? photo: David Cooper courtesy Belfry Theatre The stories they tell are universal in their appeal - by turns funny, weird, heart breaking, gut-wrenching and side-splitting. We have all either been these moms or had a mom just like them. Did the original six moms have any idea in 1993 when they originally created "Mom's the … [Read more...]
Volunteering for the Victoria Fringe Festival
August 5, 2011 By 2 Comments
It's no secret - I love theatre, especially the Victoria Fringe Festival. Didi and Gogo, the Fringe mascots Every summer since 2007 I have made the last two weeks of summer my staycation, working half days, volunteering in the afternoons and fringing away like crazy into the wee hours of the morning. Why? I'm a failed thespian; star of high school drama, and student in the U of C theatre department before becoming "serious" about … [Read more...]
Fringe Fundraiser – Canterbury Cocktails
July 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This is the year for Fringe fundraisers and readings - several have come to my attention lately. Please let me know if you are aware of more and I'll happily promote them through this blog and my various social media streams. Thanks to Yule Heibel for the link to Julian Cervello of Scrumpy Productions. Photo: David Lowes Julian presents Canterbury Cocktails as a fundraiser Wednesday July 27th at Merlin's Sun Theatre in Fairfield. This intimate … [Read more...]
Shakespeare in the Summer – Victoria BC
July 13, 2011 By 4 Comments
The crowd settles in, having gathered blankets, chairs and cushions along the way. Regulars carry extra layers of clothing, including hats, and even mitts, for evenings outdoors can be brisk in Victoria in July and August. We gather in a field close to a rocky outcropping and Garry Oak meadow remnant at Camosun College, Landsdowne Campus, for Shakespeare in the Summer by the Victoria Shakespeare Society. Families take advantage of free … [Read more...]
Ride the Cyclone by Atomic Vaudeville
July 12, 2011 By 2 Comments
Image by Barbara Pedrick on Flickr (used with permission) There really isn't much I can say about Atomic Vaudeville's smash hit, Ride the Cyclone, that hasn't been said before. And since my son is one of the performers, any review I post would most assuredly appear to be biased. Other people have told you why you should go. So - do! Quick, before all the seats are sold and the show heads out of town (Victoria BC) on a cross Canada tour that … [Read more...]
Theatre SKAM’s Bike Ride
July 12, 2011 By 2 Comments
What a way to combine the love of bicycles and theatre! Have you heard of Bike Ride by Theatre SKAM, held along 3 kilometres of the Galloping Goose in Victoria BC? You still have a weekend to get involved - this Saturday and Sunday July 16th and 17th. Just what happens at Bike Ride, and how did it come about? Theatre SKAM is an alternative Victoria theatre company that was founded in 1995 by 4 UVic grads (Sarah Donald, Karen Turner , … [Read more...]
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Blue Bridge Theatre
July 6, 2011 By 3 Comments
First the disclaimers: I am NOT a theatre reviewer, nor do I have any background as an English major. I do however have an abiding passion for theatre and volunteer for the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Intrepid Theatre, Theatre SKAM, and the Victoria Shakespeare Society; I was on the board of Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre for a year. In addition my younger son, Elliott Loran is a performing artist (actor, musician, dancer, … [Read more...]
A Summer of Theatre in Victoria BC
June 13, 2011 By 2 Comments
There is an incredible amount of theatre in the summer in Victoria BC. So much so, it will require masterful planning and attention to detail to avoid missing shows. Currently playing in June: At Theatre Inconnu until June 18th - Bear Me Stiffly Up and One Man Hamlet by Ellen Arcand and Clayton Jevne. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this Victoria based alternative theatre, they are remounting Clayton's pièce de resistance, One Man Hamlet, … [Read more...]
Chelsea Tucker “M” Award Winner – Favourite Performer 2011
May 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Chelsea Tucker first caught my eye on Twitter talking about her rehearsals. I then found out she was rehearsing not one, but two shows - the first " Broadway: Decades in Revue" for the Victoria Operatic Society (VOS) running til May 15th at the McPherson Playhouse, and the other "Little Women - the musical" by BlackBox Productions set for The Ridge Playhouse (at Claremont Highschool) June 9-12th. In addition Chelsea holds down a full time … [Read more...]
