Private Lives by Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. A review. July 7-25, 2015 in Victoria BC. Light and airy, with an definite bite—like the warm summer air wafting in when cool fog hangs in Georgia Strait—that hints at darker undertones, Private Lives by Noel Coward (currently at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre July 7-25, 2015), is perfectly paced and impeccably faithful to the spirit and tone of this 1930 creation, considered to be one of the … [Read more...]
Romeo and Juliet by the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival. A review.
July 10, 2015 By 1 Comment
Romeo and Juliet at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2015. A review. July 8-August 8, 2015 in Victoria BC. There is a haunting quality to director Christopher Weddell’s version of Romeo and Juliet (currently at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival on the grounds of Camosun College Landsdowne campus July 8-August 8, 2015)—a profound sense of young, headstrong, willful individuals embroiled in perilous situations far above their … [Read more...]
Theatre SKAM presents SKAMPede July 10-12 2015.
July 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Theatre SKAM presents SKAMPede July 10-12, 2015. The festival formerly known as Bike Ride has become even more inclusive. Scheduled in 2015 for one weekend only on a section of the Galloping Goose accessed at Cecelia Ravine Park (below the Burnside-Gorge Community Centre or via the lane close to the BCSPCA on Burnside), the event which, for six past seasons has seen groups of cyclists depart The Hub on a theatrical-viewing adventure, now … [Read more...]
Twist and Shout The British Invasion at Chemainus Theatre Festival June 12-Aug 29, 2015. A review.
June 18, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Twist and Shout—The British Invasion, presented at the Chemainus Theatre Festival June 12-August 29 was originally conceived by director Alex Mustakas, the founder of powerhouse Drayton Entertainment, in 2005. Ten years later, it’s still going strong and was re-mounted in 2014 at the Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend, ON) where it all began. If ever a musical revue can be called a blockbuster, it is Twist and Shout. Designed to appeal to a … [Read more...]
Double Bill Triple Threat by the CCPA Alumni Troupe May 30-June 14 2015. A review.
June 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Double Bill Triple Threat by the CCPA Alumni Troupe May 30-June 14, 2015. A review. I’ve come to expect nothing less than poised and perfectly polished productions from the Canadian College of Performing Arts, and the new Alumni Troupe, currently performing in Double Bill-Triple Threat with two new shows, specifically created for them, more than lives up to these high expectations. Created as a means of showcasing the college to new … [Read more...]
4th Annual Touch a Truck May 31 2015. Fundraiser for neuroblastoma research.
May 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Touch a Truck May 31 2015. Fundraiser for neuroblastoma research by Team 4 Hope at Panorama Rec Centre, North Saanich BC. What young child doesn't love to clamber over fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, excavators and dump trucks? They'll have the opportunity to do all that and more at the 4th Annual Touch a Truck May 31, 2015 (11am-3pm) at a fundraiser for neuroblastoma research organized by Team 4 Hope. Renée--Touch a Truck 2014 Little … [Read more...]
The Incompleat Folksinger. Uno Fest May 2015
May 19, 2015 By Leave a Comment
The Incompleat Folksinger. Uno Fest May 2015. This is a review of the initial production by The Other Guys Theatre Company (OGT) in January 2015 at the Metro Studio. The Incompleat Folksinger by Pete Seeger featuring Mark Hellman is a mini-history lesson with beautiful tunes, accomplished storytelling and an immense heart. OGT is well-known for their historical musical revues Good Timber and Moodyville Tales, which included Hellman as part … [Read more...]
2015 the Year of More and Less
December 30, 2014 By 1 Comment
2015 the Year of More and Less. Since 2013, I've named the years. They've been "The Year of Taking More Risks, Having More Fun and Expanding Cultural Horizons" (2013); "The Year of Celebration, Exploration and Adventure (2014). 2015 is "The Year of More and Less". Here's my beginning list. I don't make resolutions, but want 2015 to be "more" of certain attitudes and behaviours and "less" of others. What about you? Do you have … [Read more...]
Books I Read in 2014
December 30, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Books I read in 2014. I grew up as an avid reader, regularly borrowing books from the-not-yet-regional library in Ucluelet. As a child my favourites were the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Gang of Five by Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden. As a young teenager I discovered science fiction legends like Clarke, Heinlein, Bradbury and Herbert, and the fantasy of Tolkein. CanLit surged to the … [Read more...]
Intrepid Theatre announces the Deep End Presentation Series for 2014
February 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Intrepid Theatre announces the Deep End Presentation Series for 2014. Intrepid Theatre's recent announcement is exciting news for the local community of theatre enthusiasts. Recently Kelly Nestruck of the Globe and Mail named Winners and Losers (appearing here April 11/12) as one of his most significant arts events of 2013, calling it "jaw-dropping". You can read his full article here. I saw Jeff Leard's The Show Must Go On (scheduled for … [Read more...]
