2 Pianos 4 Hands at the Chemainus Theatre Festival April 7-May 14, 2017. A review. When Ted (Max Roll) and Richard (Bryce Kulak) walk onstage and begin goofing around with the piano benches before sitting down to play the first tentative notes, the emotional connection is immediate—I grew up the eldest child in a family with a piano. There was no question that I would have piano lessons. Many years later my children endured endless reminders … [Read more...]
2 Pianos 4 Hands at the Chemainus Theatre Festival April 7-May 14, 2017. A review.
April 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
SPIN by Evalyn Parry at the Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2017. A review.
March 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment
SPIN by Evalyn Parry at the Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2017. A review. Musical love poem, feminist manifesto and history lesson, all rolled into one, SPIN by Evalyn Parry (Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival March 14-18, 2017) is a life-affirming, joy-filled celebration of the bicycle. SPIN is a polished performance piece—incorporating spoken word, projections and video (design: Beth Kates), songs (as well as an amazing percussion bicycle) and … [Read more...]
Just An Ordinary Lawyer. An interview with Tayo Aluko. Coming February 2, 2017 in Victoria BC.
January 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Just An Ordinary Lawyer. An interview with Tayo Aluko. Coming February 2, 2017 in Victoria BC. Victoria audiences may remember Tayo Aluko for his previous performances here of Call Mr Robeson. A Life, With Songs in 2013 and again in 2015. He returns February 2nd, presented by Intrepid Theatre in collaboration with the BC Black History Awareness Society with his latest piece Just An Ordinary Lawyer, about the life of Britain's first black … [Read more...]
Theatre Inconnu announces their 2017 season
January 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Theatre Inconnu announces their 2017 season Founded in the late 1970s by Clayton Jevne and Katya Aho-Kearn, Theatre Inconnu is Victoria's longest running alternative theatre company, producing high quality and innovative work from the Paul Phillips Hall (Little Fernwood Hall) in an intimate 70 seat venue. I've been a fan since the fall of 2004 when I saw a production of The Ecstasy of Rita Joe performed in the round that was as impactful as … [Read more...]
2017 The Year of Reconciliation
December 31, 2016 By Leave a Comment
2017 The Year of Reconciliation Harmony by Robin Rewa Haworth 1996 Readers will know that most years, rather than resolutions, I set themes for the year to come. Last year's was The Year of Writing Daily and while I fell far short of this "goal" I did have my work I need no reference book to know (about the work of Joseph Drapell) featured in the Art-Poem-Art Experiment (and chap book) by Camosun College Visual Arts Department, won first place … [Read more...]
Next to Normal at Langham Court Theatre September 28-October 15, 2016. A review.
October 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Next to Normal at Langham Court Theatre September 28-October 15, 2016. A review. Next to Normal, the 88th season opener for Langham Court Theatre, is a heady mixture of high-powered music and complex drama. Musical theatre lovers will applaud this timely and vocally challenging work, while fans of traditional theatre will appreciate the sensitive exploration of family dysfunction and mental illness. Next to Normal is a modern behemoth … [Read more...]
Dance Victoria requests proposals for 2017 Chrystal Dance Prize until November 15, 2016
October 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Dance Victoria requests proposals for 2017 Chrystal Dance Prize until November 15, 2016. (Media release) Dance Victoria is now accepting proposals from western Canadian dance artists to be considered for the 2017 Chrystal Dance Prize for Independent Dance Artists. This award is Canada’s richest dance prize for international collaboration supporting new works by independent dance artists living in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, … [Read more...]
She Stoops to Conquer at Langham Court Theatre, June 8-25, 2016. A review.
June 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment
She Stoops to Conquer at Langham Court Theatre, June 8-25, 2016. A review. Equal parts comedy of romance, manners, errors and situation, She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, with its sharp observations and witty banter, transcends time and place. Originally written in 1773, the version currently onstage at Langham Court Theatre (June 8-25, 2016) has been adapted by director Toshik Bukowiecki to the 1920s—a time of shifting societal … [Read more...]
Flotsam and Jetsam Life on the West Coast by The Other Guys Theatre Company. A review.
May 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Flotsam and Jetsam: Life on the West Coast by the Other Guys Theatre Company. A review. Reviving a formula honed in their last revue, Good Timber, and with a number of the same collaborators (Colleeen Eccleston, Kelt Eccleston and Mark Hellman), joined by newcomer Rachel Capon (most notably on bass), Ross Desprez and Tobin Stokes of The Other Guys Theatre Company bring to life, in spirited and succinct fashion, what it means to live on … [Read more...]
Laissez-Faire at Uno Fest 2016. An interview with Freya Olafson.
May 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Laissez-Faire at Uno Fest 2016. An interview with Freya Olafson. Laissez-Faire is being presented May 27 and 28th in a double bill with okay.odd (by Milton Lim) at Uno Fest 2016. I had the opportunity to interview Freya Olafson. What sparked the creation of this show? ‘Laissez-Faire’ was commissioned by and created for Ainsley Hillyard as a solo performance work; it was developed with the generous support of the Alberta Foundation for … [Read more...]
