A Christmas Story at the Chemainus Theatre Festival November 18-December 31, 2016. A review. It’s the season—time to dust off favourite recipes, find the familiar tunes and grab a DVD of a holiday classic. In our family, it has always been A Christmas Story, based on stories by Jean Shepherd. The movie came out in 1983 just before my oldest son was born—at first we watched it on TV, then made sure to rent it from the local video store … [Read more...]
A Christmas Story at the Chemainus Theatre Festival November 18-December 31, 2016. A review.
November 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Crucible by Arthur Miller at Langha Court Theatre November 18-December 3, 2016. A review.
November 21, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Crucible by Arthur Miller at Langham Court Theatre November 18-December 3, 2016. A review. Langham Court Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, drives deep into the hearts and motivations of people—their petty jealousies, long-standing feuds, primordial urges and moral rectitude. Written in 1953 about the Salem witch trials and considered to be an allegory of McCarthyism, this seminal work in the canon of great American … [Read more...]
I Think I’m Fallin’–The Songs of Joni Mitchell at the Belfry Theatre November 8-December 4, 2016. A Review.
November 11, 2016 By Leave a Comment
I Think I’m Fallin’--The Songs of Joni Mitchell at the Belfry Theatre November 8-December 4, 2016. A Review. A dark and sombre mood hangs in the air—it’s November, season of grey skies and rain; south- of-the-border politics infiltrate every discussion, Remembrance Day is around the corner and, Leonard Cohen, troubadour to a nation, has just died. It falls to the artists of I Think I’m Fallin’ to lift the audience out of a collective … [Read more...]
Les Liaisons Dangeureuses at UVic Phoenix Theatre November 8-26, 2016. A Review.
November 10, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Les Liaisons Dangeureuses at UVic Phoenix Theatre November 8-26, 2016. A Review. In the seemingly limitless space of the Chief Dan George Theatre, majestic rivers of drapery—lighting playing enticingly upon surfaces (Eryn Griffith)—adorn the back wall, alluding to the sumptuous and excessive manner in which the rich, idle and bored French nobility live. By focusing on a small selection of furniture pieces—a chaise longue, a table, benches and … [Read more...]
Alice’s Gift by Elisabeth Wagner, November 3-12, 2016. A review.
November 4, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Alice’s Gift by Elisabeth Wagner, November 3-12, 2016. A review. Taking 110 years of a person’s life and distilling them into a fascinating solo show complete with musical interludes is a daunting task—one that Elisabeth Wagner has accomplished with quiet flair and brio. Alice Herz-Sommer, who passed away in 2014, was the world’s oldest Holocaust survivor—an accomplished concert pianist who survived Theresienstadt concentration camp with … [Read more...]
The Rocky Horror Show Live, produced by Atomic Vaudeville, October 19-29, 2016. A review.
October 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Rocky Horror Show Live, produced by Atomic Vaudeville, October 19-29, 2016. A review. It’s a triple hit wonder—for a third year running, The Rocky Horror Show (on until October 29th at the Metro Studio Theatre) teases and tantalizes with delicious debauchery and show-stopping song and dance numbers. Believe it or not, there are still people who have not seen The Rocky Horror Show—either live or film versions. What would Hallowe’en be … [Read more...]
The Slipknot by TJ Dawe at the UVic Phoenix Alumni Festival October 18-22, 2016. A review.
October 21, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Slipknot by TJ Dawe at the UVic Phoenix Alumni Festival October 18-22, 2016. A review. The years have not dulled the acuity or relevance of TJ Dawe’s narrative, The Slipknot, presented at the inaugural Phoenix “Spotlight on Alumni” in January 2003, and staged once again as part of the Alumni Festival to celebrate the Phoenix’s 50th anniversary. Dawe graduated from UVic in 1997 and quickly became a contender on the Canadian Fringe … [Read more...]
Hildas Yard by Norm Foster at the Chemainus Theatre Festival October 7-November 5, 2016. A review.
October 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Hilda’s Yard by Norm Foster at the Chemainus Theatre Festival October 7-November 5, 2016. A review. Hilda’s Yard, currently playing at the Chemainus Theatre Festival until November 5, 2016, is a light-hearted reminder of the importance of family when life becomes difficult. Norm Foster is considered to be one of Canada’s most prolific playwrights, popular with theatres—community, school, university and professional—from coast to coast. … [Read more...]
Shop Talk by Theatre SKAM October 13-23, 2016. A review.
October 15, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Shop Talk by Theatre SKAM, October 13-23, 2016. A review. Theatre SKAM (founded in 1994) built their reputation with off-the-wall, edgy site-specific theatre, at times even drawing attention from the police when the action became a little too “realistic”. Having hit the big Two-O, the company is definitely not settling down, as signalled with the latest production—Shop Talk, a troubling mind-and-gender bending look at life in a scene … [Read more...]
A Murder is Announced by St Luke’s Players October12-23, 2016. A review.
October 15, 2016 By 1 Comment
A Murder is Announced by St Luke’s Players October12-23, 2016. A review. Who doesn’t love a good mystery—particularly when it’s written by the undisputed queen—Agatha Christie, whose books have sold more copies than any other author and publication (except the Bible and the Bard). Originally penned in 1950, and adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon in 1977, A Murder is Announced (the first production in Saint Luke’s Players 68th season) is … [Read more...]
