Fear No Opera and Braden Young present Strauss: First and Last April 28 2018 in Victoria BC (media release) After the success of Fear No Opera’s first art song concert (An Interior Life: The Complete Songs of Henri DuParc), we combine forces once again with Braden Young to present an evening of works by Richard Strauss. Richard Strauss (1864-1949) composed songs and operas over the better part of an 85-year lifetime. His first known work … [Read more...]
The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl at Langham Court Theatre. A review.
April 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl at Langham Court Theatre. A review. Langham Court Theatre tackles the challenge of Sarah Ruhl’s comedy-fable The Clean House (April 18-May 5, 2018) with intelligent direction, sophisticated staging and design, and spirited acting. Ruhl’s witty deadpan style demands skilled actors with an appreciation of the pause, a talent the ensemble displays in abundance. This absurdist fable also requires a complete … [Read more...]
Salt Baby by Falen Johnson at the Belfry Theatre. A review.
April 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Salt Baby by Falen Johnson at the Belfry Theatre. A review. Girl meets boy, falls in love and lives happily ever after. Not if you’re Salt Baby (Dakota Ray Hebert) the titular character in Falen Johnson’s story of indigenous identity and belonging, Salt Baby (currently at the Belfry Theatre April 17-May 13, 2018); it’s brim-full of questions and the awkward sense of constantly checking one’s assumptions. Salt Baby is brash, bold and … [Read more...]
Swan Song and Other Farces at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. An interview.
April 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Swan Song and Other Farces at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. An interview. Noa Paster may only be seven going on eight, but she’s already an experienced musician and performer who is prepared to hold her own with the talented ensemble of Swan Song and Other Farces, the opening production of Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre’s tenth anniversary season (April 24-May 6, 2018). Director Jacob Richmond (The Caretaker, Animal Crackers, Waiting … [Read more...]
Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival April 24-28 2018. Preview.
April 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival April 24-28 2018. Preview. Paper Street Theatre has built a loyal following since their inception in 2011. The Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival (April 24-28), now in its third year, brings together the ensemble and guest improvisers from as far away as Sweden and Finland for five days of shows, workshops and mash-ups. The festival has been a great success, selling out in each of the previous two … [Read more...]
Meridiem Wind Orchestra presents Legacy: Song & Dance April 22 2018
April 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Meridiem Wind Orchestra presents Legacy: Song & Dance April 22 2018 I love wind instruments for their versatility. Audiences in Victoria are fortunate to have many highly experienced musicians with this specialty. The Meridiem Wind Orchestra brings together both professionals (who play with the Victoria Symphony, the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific and Victoria Operatic Society), talented amateurs and music educators (from the … [Read more...]
Pushing the Boundaries of Song & Games at A Place to Listen. April 18 2018. Preview.
April 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Pushing the Boundaries of Song & Games at A Place to Listen. April 18 2018. Preview. Since 2012 A Place to Listen, an experimental listening music series founded by Daniel and Laura Brandes, has been programming "small quiet music" with an ensemble of like-minded composers, musicians and artists. It's a highlight of my arts experiences in the capital region, a time to set myself apart from the hub-bub of modern life to focus on a few, … [Read more...]
Lessons by Wendy Graf. Bema Productions April 12-22, 2018. A review.
April 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Lessons by Wendy Graf. Bema Productions April 12-22, 2018. A review. Bema Productions does it again with the nuanced production of Lessons by Wendy Graf (performed in the most appropriate 153 year old heritage synagogue Temple Emanu-El April 12-22, 2018). Now in their fourth season, Bema has come to be known for insightful renderings of scripts that on the surface appear simple—it is director Zelda Dean’s single biggest gift—to find the … [Read more...]
Victorious Voices Festival April 9-11, 2018. Preview.
April 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Victorious Voices Festival April 9-11, 2018. Preview. One of my favourite arts activities occurs next week; Victorious Voices Festival is the high school poetry slam championships--the longest running youth poetry festival in Canada. Now in its 9th year it brings eight lower Vancouver Island teams together for competition, workshops and showcases. Founded by Jeremy Loveday, a slam poet who has represented Victoria at the national … [Read more...]
ThySelf by Broken Rhythms Dance March 2018. A review.
April 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
ThySelf by Broken Rhythms Dance March 2018. A review. Since 2011 when she founded Broken Rhythms Dance, choreographer Dyana Sonik-Henderson has consistently created new work and engaged unusual audiences by applying to Fringe theatre festivals, first in her home city of Victoria BC and then further afield in Port Alberni, Edmonton, Halifax and Toronto. As a marketing move, it was pure genius—patrons unaccustomed to dance had the opportunity … [Read more...]
