Summer—a time for light reading, light clothing, light eating and—light entertainment, a welcome diversion from regular fare. Nothing too troubling or difficult—like the beach books we all love to read (even if we don’t want to admit it). Theatre Al Dente has it covered. For six season (2010-2015) a team helmed by the father/daughter duo of Gerald Schieven and Sasha Moriarty-Schieven (he directs, she writes and choreographs) produced a … [Read more...]
Theatre Al Dente presents Phantom of the Light Opera in Victoria BC. A review.
July 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Drawer Boy at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre July 3-15. 2018. A review.
July 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Drawer Boy at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre July 3-15. 2018. A review. The Drawer Boy—written by award-winning playwright Michael Healey in 1996 about the experience of The Farm Show—an early (1972) experiment in community-based theatre, where actors created shows based on the lives of Ontario farmers—and currently at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre until July 15th, is a riveting homage to an homage—a modern re-telling of what has itself … [Read more...]
The Tempest at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. A review.
July 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Tempest at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. A review. Under a lowering sky, brimming with the promise of pent-up rain, a feral being (an impressive Trevor Hinton as Caliban), clothed in rags and tatters, galumphs across a dry and rocky landscape—then, quickly seizing upon a small furry creature, proceeds to kill and eat it—raw. Welcome to The Tempest at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival. Director Chelsea Haberlin … [Read more...]
Pericles the Hopeful Mariner at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. A review.
July 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Pericles the Hopeful Mariner at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival 2018. A review. Can anything compare to a beautiful summer evening, seated warm and cozy under the towering Garry Oaks of Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus, to hear the immortal words of the Bard of Avon? It’s one of my favourite theatrical experiences—one shared by many, whether fervent Shakespeare aficionados or newcomers. It’s easy to imagine, when the narrator of … [Read more...]
Grease at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.
June 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment
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...]
A Chorus of Disapproval at Langham Court Theatre. A review.
June 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
A Chorus of Disapproval at Langham Court Theatre. A review. There’s nothing like a good send-up of theatrical shenanigans to get an audience laughing along. Making it a period piece within a period piece doubles the fun—A Chorus of Disapproval (at Langham Court Theatre June 6-23, 2018) by the British satirist Alan Ayckbourn was written in 1984 and set in small-town Northern England in 1978 where the Pendon Amateur Light Operatic Society … [Read more...]
White Mans Indian at UNO Fest 2018. A review.
May 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
White Man’s Indian at UNO Fest 2018. A review. Intrepid Theatre’s UNO Fest, now in its twenty-first year, runs May 9-19, 2018 in Victoria BC. It features eighteen shows, including two as part of the new Family Fest Series, and a spotlight on women’s indigenous voices with a guest indigenous curator, Yolanda Bonnell. I’ll be featuring interviews, previews and reviews during the festival. Follow http://janislacouvee.com/tag/uno-fest-2018/ for … [Read more...]
The Only Good Indian at UNO Fest 2018. A review.
May 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Only Good Indian at UNO Fest 2018. A review. Intrepid Theatre’s UNO Fest, now in its twenty-first year, runs May 9-19, 2018 in Victoria BC. It features eighteen shows, including two as part of the new Family Fest Series, and a spotlight on women’s indigenous voices with a guest indigenous curator, Yolanda Bonnell. I’ll be featuring interviews, previews and reviews during the festival. Follow http://janislacouvee.com/tag/uno-fest-2018/ … [Read more...]
The Humours of Bandon at UNO Fest 2018. A review.
May 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Humours of Bandon at UNO Fest 2018. A review. Intrepid Theatre’s UNO Fest, now in its twenty-first year, runs May 9-19, 2018 in Victoria BC. It features eighteen shows, including two as part of the new Family Fest Series, and a spotlight on women’s indigenous voices with a guest indigenous curator, Yolanda Bonnell. I’ll be featuring interviews, previews and reviews during the festival. Follow http://janislacouvee.com/tag/uno-fest-2018/ … [Read more...]
9 to 5 the Musical by the Victoria Operatic Society. A review.
May 7, 2018 By 1 Comment
9 to 5 the Musical by the Victoria Operatic Society. A review. Take a trip back to 1980 and be buoyed by the infectious spirit of 9 to 5 the Musical (May 4-3, 2018 at the McPherson Playhouse) with its can-do nature, peppy music and award-winning lyrics. The Victoria Operatic Society has once again pulled out all the stops—not only are there twenty six actors and twelve musicians, but a quick read-through of the programme reveals dozens of … [Read more...]
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