Review: Lohengrin (Opera by Request)
By Keira Grant
Opera By Request offers singers a chance to act out their dream roles in the latest production
Lohengrin, like many operas by Richard Wagner, is based on a medieval German myth. Opera by Request’s in-concert performance of this work on January 28 provided an excellent opportunity to be exposed to this work, which is not one of the most performed in the repertory. Given the cost of tickets to see opera produced by companies such as the Canadian Opera Company and Opera Atelier, taking advance of Opera by Request performances is a great idea. Read the rest of this entry »
Review: No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre (Art and Lies Productions)
By Nadaa Hyder
Sartre’s No Exit by Arts and Lies Productions delves into existentialism at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto
Last night in the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace I saw No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre. With little plot development and a main focus on character development, there are three characters whom we get to know very well. This is my kind of play – I personally love this structure and loved the show last night. No Exit is one of Sartre’s more well-known writings, and although I am not familiar with the original – this rendition was enjoyable and got the message across boldly.
Review: Kaal – Time (Janak Khendry Dance Company)
By Sonia Borkar
Kaal, the Sanskrit word for time, combines Indian classical dance styles with modern Western ones at Toronto’s Fleck Dance Theatre
I was most excited to see Kaal when I first heard about it a few months ago. I have a background in Indian classical singing and dancing and love going to dance shows, so I figured this was right up my alley. The choreographer, Janak Khendry, is a world renowned classical dancer with a career spanning over 55 years, so I was so sure that this would be a treat. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed. Read the rest of this entry »
Review: The Trojan Women (Alumnae Theatre)
The Greek tragedy The Trojan Women revels in
chaos at the Alumnae Theatre in Toronto
It is impossible not to compare The Trojan Women at Alumnae Theatre with Nightwood Theatre’s The Penelopiad, as they are running concurrently. They are both tales from the canon of the ancient Greeks and have been written for the modern day by fantastic female Canadian writers – The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and The Trojan Women by Gwendolyn MacEwen.
Further similarities include an excellent use of fabric in costumes/props/set dressings to convey a myriad of things, and the inclusion of some humour into the tragic tales. Read the rest of this entry »
Ticket Giveaway Contest: A Really Bad Play (FroMast Productions)
By admin
Mooney on Theatre is giving away tickets to the Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 8:30PM performance of FroMast Productions’ A Really Bad Play at The Pia Bouman School – “Scotiabank” Theatre (6 Noble Street, Toronto).
To be entered into the draw for a pair of tickets for the Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 8:30PM performance just send an email to contests@mooneyontheatre.com with the subject line “A Really Bad Play contest” by 7PM on Monday, January 30, 2012.
See below for details about the show and contest rules:
Read the rest of this entry »
Review: Cruel and Tender (Canadian Stage)
By Wayne Leung
Canadian Stage presents Martin Crimp’s play Cruel and Tender directed by Atom Egoyan at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.
Cruel and Tender is British playwright Martin Crimp’s contemporary adaptation of Sophocles’ Trachiniae (The Women of Trachis), a tale of love, jealousy and deceit between Greek hero Heracles, his wife Deianeira and lole, daughter of the king of Euboas, a city captured by Heracles. Read the rest of this entry »
Review: Penny Plain (Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes | Factory Theatre)
By Megan Mooney
Ronny Burkett’s Penny Plain at Factory Theatre in Toronto is far more than a playful puppet show
These days we have a tendency to think of shows involving puppets as light fun fare meant for children. Let me assure you, this is not the case with Ronny Burkett’s Penny Plain, currently playing at Factory Theatre.
The show is funny, but it’s also heartbreaking and dark, and it is most definitely not for children. In fact, the Factory Theatre website notes that children under 14 will not be admitted into the show, and with good reason. In parts it’s downright scary, not to mention more than a little creepy.
It’s also wonderful.
Review: Caroline, or Change (Acting Up Stage Company & Obsidian Theatre)
By Wayne Leung
Toronto’s Acting Up Stage Company & Obsidian Theatre present the Canadian premiere of Caroline, or Change at the Berkeley Street Theatre through February 12, 2012.
The teaming-up of two formidable Toronto theatre companies to produce the Canadian premiere of a Broadway musical is cause for excitement. Caroline, or Change seems a natural fit for Acting Up Stage Company, renowned for their hard-hitting musicals like last year’s Parade, and Obsidian Theatre whose recent, critically-acclaimed productions Ruined and Topdog/Underdog highlight the work of Black artists and playwrights.
Announcement: Theatre 20′s inaugural season of production features two new Canadian musicals and Sondheim’s Company
By Sonia Borkar
From Press Release
Joseph Aragon’s Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare makes its Toronto premiere and Raindogs by Andrew MacBean will be presented in partnership with Sheridan College’s Canadian Music Theatre Project
Theatre 20, Toronto’s artist-led musical theatre company, today announced its inaugural season of production at a press conference and exclusive ticketed cocktail affair, “A Taste of 20: Sample the Season”. The event launches a season which includes two workshops, two full productions, and a series of other events.
Cheap Theatre in Toronto for the Week of January 23, 2012
By Sonia Borkar
Five For Twenty (or Less)
This week’s cheap theatre has a multi-cultural flavour to it. There’s a show that deals with an illegal immigrant’s search for his sister, the other looks at an Indo-Canadian’s vacation back home, there’s a couple of Greek mythology inspired shows and lastly a double bill dance show. There’s definitely enough variety here for you to pick something and experience some super cheap, live theatre this week. Get out there and catch a show!