Grease at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review. With catchy tunes, toe-tapping rhythms and a story line seared into North American consciousness for forty years, Grease the musical is bound to be a sure-fire hit for any theatre company planning to take advantage of its cross-generational appeal. Now playing at Chemainus Theatre Festival during the very popular summer season (June 8-September 1, 2018) under the direction of Barbara … [Read more...]
Kim’s Convenience at Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.
April 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Kim’s Convenience at Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review. April 24-May 26, 2018. It’s a dream come true for any Fringe performer or playwright—navigating the tricky waters from alternative theatre to mainstage production. And, although it makes a compelling story, the reality of Ins Choi’s seemingly “instant” hit is much more complex. Kim’s Convenience is now a CBC series and has even had a run in New York but in 2011 when Mr Choi staged … [Read more...]
Once at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.
February 14, 2018 By 2 Comments
Once at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review. Once (currently at the Chemainus Theatre Festival to March 10) is a breath of fresh air in the world of the contemporary musical. Once had an unusual progression to the stage, and a backstory to rival the script—originally conceived by John Carney as a low-budget Irish film, songwriters Glen Hansard (frontman of The Flames, an indie rock group of some repute) and Markéta Irglová (a young … [Read more...]
The Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.
November 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review. Everyone has their favourite family story of Christmas disaster and dysfunction—it’s what makes movies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story perennial favourites during the holiday season. The Cornwalls (introduced to Chemainus audiences in The Cornwalls’ Countryside Christmas in 2011) embark on an epic misadventure that … [Read more...]
Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.
October 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review. From the depths of the human soul to the vastness of space, Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson—at the Chemainus Theatre Festival October 13-November 4, 2017—is a transcendent journey filled with passion and love. Henrietta Leavitt (Emma Slipp) deserves to be more well-known. She was at the forefront of ground-breaking research in early 20th century astronomy, … [Read more...]
A Fall of Theatre 2017 in Victoria BC. September-December.
September 22, 2017 By 4 Comments
A Fall of Theatre 2017 in Victoria BC. September-December. In the last five year period, the number of shows produced has almost tripled. This fall sees a record 70+ productions, festivals and special events from musicals to improvised theatre, cabaret to drama, radio plays to solo shows, on stages big and small in the Capital Region. Don't let anyone tell you Victoria is a cultural backwater. Our ticket prices continue to be some of … [Read more...]
Rock Legends at Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.
June 13, 2017 By 2 Comments
Rock Legends at Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review. Alex Mustakas brings 25 years of experience helming Drayton Entertainment to the Chemainus Theatre Festival with this summer’s blockbuster musical extravaganza Rock Legends (a sequel to his equally popular Twist and Shout seen in the 2015 season). Over an exhilarating two hours and a half hours, the audience is treated to a window in time, framed by an interesting device—it’s 1975 and TV … [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
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...]
Pride and Prejudice at the Chemainus Theatre Festival February 17-March 25, 2017. A review.
March 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Pride and Prejudice at the Chemainus Theatre Festival February 17-March 25, 2017. A review. In Janet Munsil’s witty and humourous adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (playing at the Chemainus Theatre Festival until March 25th) it’s easy to see Mrs. Bennett (Amy Lee Newman is splendid in the role, with abundant nervous energy channeled in short sharp bursts) as no more than a flibbertigibbet, an annoying, meddlesome mother, but in … [Read more...]
A Christmas Story at the Chemainus Theatre Festival November 18-December 31, 2016. A review.
November 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment
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...]
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