Million Dollar Quartet at the Chemainus Theatre Festival February 12-March 26, 2016. A review. Million Dollar Quartet, currently at the Chemainus Theatre Festival until March 26, 2016 is a boisterous tribute to a seminal moment in rock ‘n roll history—brim-full of excellent musicianship, impeccable design and enough moments of nostalgia to satisfy fans of the era. The legendary Sam Phillips of Sun Records (played here by Leon Willey in a … [Read more...]
Million Dollar Quartet at the Chemainus Theatre Festival February 12-March 26, 2016. A review.
March 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon at Theatre Inconnu February 16-March 5, 2016. A review.
February 22, 2016 By 2 Comments
Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon at Theatre Inconnu Feb 16-March 5, 2016. A review. Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon—currently at Theatre Inconnu February 16-March 5, 2016—is an outstanding depiction of a family in free-fall grief over the death of a beloved patriarch. The play is filled with quibbles and quarrels—many long-standing—and the author is unafraid to topple inherited shibboleths considered sacred. While the topic is dark, and there are many … [Read more...]
Wild Honey at the UVic Phoenix Theatre February 11 – 20, 2016. A review.
February 14, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Wild Honey at the UVic Phoenix Theatre February 11 - 20, 2016. A review. Wild Honey, by Michael Frayn, currently at the UVic Phoenix Theatre (February 11-20, 2016) is equal parts Greek tragedy, Shakespearean comedy of errors, and modern day soap opera, liberally salted with Frayn’s signature farcical stylings. Frayn, well-known for the hilarious comedy Noises Off, and the award-winning drama Copenhagen, was also a Russian translator in his … [Read more...]
Atomic Vaudeville Presents: Action Revue Feel the Fight. Interview with Britt Small.
February 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Atomic Vaudeville Presents: Action Revue Feel the Fight. Interview with Britt Small. I missed the Action Revue workshop in 2015 so when the media release for Action Revue: Feel the Fight landed in my email in-box, I knew that I would be making time to attend this year's version. Atomic Vaudeville co-founder, and member of the Action Revue creative team, Britt Small agreed to answer a few questions about the show and the process. The … [Read more...]
The Valley by Joan MacLeod at the Belfry Theatre February 5-28, 2016. A review.
February 5, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Valley by Joan MacLeod at the Belfry Theatre February 5- 28, 2016. A review. The Valley by Joan MacLeod (currently at the Belfry Theatre February 5-28, 2016) is tight, taut, topical theatre, unrestrained in its deep and compassionate examination of a very contemporary and universal issue. In the years since Rober Dziekanski’s death prompted Joan MacLeod to begin writing The Valley, devastating encounters between police officers and … [Read more...]
The Handmade Tale by Paper Street Theatre Co. Interview with Missie Peters.
February 4, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Handmade Tale by Paper Street Theatre Co. Interview with Missie Peters. February 17-20, 2016. Paper Street Theatre Co, for the last show of their 2015-2016 season, focuses on the dystopian fiction of renowned Canadian writer Margaret Atwood. What a challenge! Regular improv player Missie Peters kindly answered questions about this up-coming show. Photo: Derek Ford Atwood’s dystopian fiction started with The Handmaid’s Tale, continued … [Read more...]
Enigmatic Events presents Murder by Midnight. January 30-February 13, 2016. A review.
February 2, 2016 By 1 Comment
Enigmatic Events presents Murder by Midnight. January 30-February 13, 2016. A review. Murder by Midnight, a live interactive murder mystery dinner theatre (at the Ambrosia Centre) hosted by Enigmatic Events (February 5/6 and 12/13, 2016) is part live game of Clue, part closed room dinner theatre mystery à la Agatha Christie and part puzzle enthusiasts meet-up, and the most fun I’ve had with a group of strangers in a long time. What an absolute … [Read more...]
Into the Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A review.
February 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Into the Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A review. The large performance hall (formerly the church hall of St Mary’s Oak Bay) at the Canadian College of Performing Arts has been transformed, once again, into a magical world for the final performance of the 2015-2016 Company C year—Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. There’s something warm and inviting about the space with its vaulted roof, reminiscent of an … [Read more...]
Double Diamond at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, January 22-February 20, 2016. A review.
January 28, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Double Diamond at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, January 22-February 20, 2016. A review. Bill Zaalberg (Double Diamond) is close in age to Neil Diamond, and like Diamond, has been performing since he was young, having formed Victoria’s first rock band in 1961 before making music his full-time profession in 1975 when he resigned from the telephone company. Although an admitted “shy person” (as is Diamond himself) he is an experienced and smooth … [Read more...]
A Winter of Theatre 2016 in Victoria BC. January and February.
January 21, 2016 By 2 Comments
A Winter of Theatre in Victoria BC 2016. January and February. Over the past few years, the normally staid months of January and February have been a hive of activity as local theatre groups launch new projects and regular seasons and series. This year is no exception with 23 productions in January and February (and I'm sure more will be added as I become aware of them). I most apologize for the late posting of this article. The beginning of … [Read more...]
