Pride and Prejudice at the Chemainus Theatre Festival February 17-March 25, 2017. A review.

 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...]

Taking Off by Deborah Williams at the Belfry Theatre February 21-March 12, 2017. A review.

Taking Off by Deborah Williams at the Belfry Theatre February 21-March 12, 2017. A review. Deborah Williams hasn’t lost the touch.  If anything, after tapping into the zeitgeist for over 20 years, her comedic talents, already finely honed, reach vertiginous heights with zany, over-the-top reflections in her first solo show Taking Off (at the Belfry Theatre until March 12th). I remember sitting in the audience for the initial Mom’s the Word … [Read more...]

Gut Girls at the University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre February 9-18, 2017. A review.

Gut Girls at the University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre February 9-18, 2017. A review. They’re a feisty lot, the gut girls of the eponymously named play by Sarah Daniels, currently at UVic Phoenix Theatre to February 19th. Written to highlight the social, economic and gender inequalities of Victorian-era England (the gut girls—over 500 in number—worked long hours, in brutal conditions, in the slaughter sheds of the Foreign Cattle Market, … [Read more...]

Murder on the Agenda by Enigmatic Events January 27-February 11, 2017. Review.

Murder on the Agenda presented by Enigmatic Events January 27-February 12, 2017. A review. The bar was set high last year with the inaugural Enigmatic Events live interactive murder mystery dinner theatre—Murder by Midnight—an event I described as being “the most fun I’ve had with a group of strangers in a long time”.  In a year that saw me partaking of over 100 performances outside the Victoria Fringe, it remains one of my highlights—for many … [Read more...]

Ruddigore by Company C, the Canadian College of Performing Arts, January 27-February 4, 2017. A review.

Ruddigore by Company C, the Canadian College of Performing Arts, January 27-February 4, 2017. A review. Ruddigore has it all—a sweet young thing abandoned at birth (Rose Maybud--Charlotte Thompson) , her swain—noble and true (Robin Oakwood—Forrest Elliot), an ancient curse, a traitorous foster brother (Richard (Dick) Dauntless—Derry Oshust), a maiden aunt (Dame Hannah-Victoria Stolting), a dastardly baronet (Despard Murgatrody-Devin Arams), a … [Read more...]

Gracie by Joan McLeod at the Belfry Theatre January 20-February 19, 2017. A review.

Gracie by Joan McLeod at the Belfry Theatre January 20-February 19, 2017. A review. On a set dominated by a monolithic mountain (Catherine Hahn), under the deep blue arc of heaven, Lili Beaudoin gives voice to the voiceless as Gracie, in the world premiere of Joan McLeod’s latest work.  By turns humourous and transcendent, the script pulls the audience into the world of a child—and anchors firmly there—laughing along with observations about … [Read more...]

Black History Month 2017 in Victoria BC.

Black History Month 2017 in Victoria BC. Black History Month continues to grow from strength to strength in Victoria BC with organizations like the BC Black History Awareness Society, the Victoria African & Caribbean Cultural Society (VACCS), and the  African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI)--together with partners Greater Victoria Public Library, Belfry Theatre, Intrepid Theatre, UVic Legacy Gallery, Garth Homer Centre, … [Read more...]

One Man Two Guvnors at Langham Court Theatre January 20-February 4, 2017. A review.

One Man, Two Guvnors at Langham Court Theatre January 18-February 4, 2017. A review. After a particularly charged day in world affairs, opening night of One Man, Two Guvnors at Langham Court Theatre provided much needed relief and silliness—a perfect night for audiences who simply want to go to the theatre to relax and laugh copiously. It takes a steady hand and firm grasp to bring ages-old techniques of improvisation into the modern world … [Read more...]

Early Music Society of the Islands presents Mozart and Le Mozart Noir February 5 2017. Preview.

Early Music Society of the Islands presents Mozart and Le Mozart Noir February 5 2017. Preview. (Media Release) Celebrating Black History Month, EMSI rediscovers works by Chevalier de Saint-Georges: The first star classical composer of African ancestry Victoria, BC – Early Music Society of the Islands (EMSI) embarks on another Northwest Baroque Masterworks project in collaboration with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO), the Seattle … [Read more...]

Murder on the Agenda by Enigmatic Events January 27-February 11, 2017. Interview with Chris Rudram.

Murder on the Agenda by Enigmatic Events January 27-February 11, 2017. Interview with Chris Rudram. After last year’s successful Murder by Midnight, the team at Enigmatic Events are back again with Murder on the Agenda. Organizer Chris Rudram was happy to answer a few questions. Why did you take the leap into producing interactive, dinner theatre events?  How do they differ from traditional dinner theatre? My passion is all about … [Read more...]