Toronto Theatre Reviews
Review: Luba, Simply Luba (Pleiades)
By Mira Saraf
Luba Gov of Royal Canadian Air Farce stars in Luba, Simply Luba at the Berkeley Street Theatre
I knew little of Luba Goy, of Royal Canadian Air Farce fame, before coming to her one-woman show on May 10, 2012. Luba, Simply Luba (Pleiades Theatre), playing at the Berkeley Street Theatre, discusses all the people that have helped shaped her life and the woman she is today.
Review: Beyond The Cuckoo’s Nest (YPT)
Beyond the Cuckoo’s Nest at Young People’s Theatre sheds light on mental health issues
My first real, coherent thought, five minutes into Beyond The Cuckoo’s Nest: “The people who made this should make more things. Things that can be appreciated by people who love the theatre.”
My next coherent thought, a couple minutes later: “Thank goodness these people make theatre for teenagers. This is the kind of thing that turns them into people who love theatre.”
Review: The Real World? (Tarragon Theatre)
The Real World? brilliantly captures a dysfunctional family at the Tarragon Theatre
This is by far one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen in years. Tarragon Theatre’s recent production of renowned French-Canadian playwright Michel Tremblay’s The Real World? is an example of outstanding theatre.
Phenomenal acting coupled with an intriguing script and intelligent staging make The Real World? intensely raw and unforgettable. Read the rest of this entry »
Review: Semele (Canadian Opera Company)
By Keira Grant
The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Semele by George Frideric Handel contained a number of surprises, including a black and white documentary film clip, sumo wrestlers and an exceptionally well-endowed donkey. Artistic director Zhang Huan seems to relish taking risks with this Baroque canon staple. Read the rest of this entry »
Review: High (Mirvish)
Like Lady Tessie Tura, I like a gimmick, if it’s a good one. And so, when film stars take turns on stage, I have learned to hold my judgement until I see that person in that part (ever since being pleasantly startled by Laurence Fishburne as Henry in The Lion In Winter). Kathleen Turner is indeed a good one in Mirvish’s High, and she is well-used, if not quite as ably supported as I would prefer.
Review: rock. paper. sistahz Festival (b current)
By Adam Collier
Nothing seemed quite as apt for this year’s rock.paper.sistahz Festival – May 4th to 11th at Wynchwood Barns – as Roselyn Kelada-Sedra’s, Six and Eight.
Key exchanges of this play under development are text messages spoken aloud. And the theme of this year’s festival:“Old meets New meets Here&Now.”
Review: The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs (Outside the March/Theatre Passe Muraille)
By Wayne Leung
Outside the March turns Mike Daisey’s quasi-factual monologue exposing Apple’s labour practices into a fascinating piece of meta-theatre.
I find it extremely difficult to discuss the abuse of workers in Chinese factories because the issue is so close to my heart. My family is from the Guangdong province of China, the heart of the country’s manufacturing sector. I have relatives there still and I’ve been to the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone and seen first-hand the horrible conditions these workers are subjected to on a daily basis.
Review: West Side Story (Dancap Productions)
Dancap Productions presents West Side Story in Toronto at the Toronto Centre for the Arts
The musical adaptation of West Side Story is an old sentimental favourite of mine. Although the script shows its age in its language – “hoodlum” and “play it cool, real cool” – the ill-fated tale of romance and poetic songs strewn throughout are what always made this play incredibly appealing to me.
Review: The Shipment (Young Jean Lee’s Theater Company)
By Sam Mooney
When I read that The Shipment “dissects what it means to be black in America in this hilarious and shocking play” I immediately wanted to see it. Hilarious racism? Is it possible? Yes, it is. The Shipment is hilarious. It’s only playing until Saturday so get your ticket now. Cancel a prior engagement if you have to. This is one of the most amazing pieces of theatre that I’ve ever seen. Read the rest of this entry »
Review: Baobab (Young People’s Theatre)
Young People’s Theatre welcomes Montreal’s Théâtre Motus in a co-production with the SÔ Company of Mali for Baobab, presented in the Studio from May 8 to 17, 2012. Baobab is recommended for children ages four to eight. Baobab features Ralph Prosper, Mireille Tawfik, Nathalie Cora and Aboulaye Koné, and is written and directed by Hélène Ducharme.
The story, inspired by West African legends, is about an ancient baobab tree during a drought. One day the tree produces an egg, from which a little boy, Amondo, hatches. The villagers recognize that Amondo is the only one who can undertake the quest to bring water back to the land, completing three tasks that will lead him to the heart of the sun.