What is the price of safety? What must you leave behind forever in transit to a new life? Theatre Passe Muraille, in collaboration with Theatre Mada, raises these questions in Suitcase/Adrenaline, a timely double bill of one-act plays by Ahmad Meree, on the multilayered experiences of Syrian refugees. Presented in Arabic with English surtitles (with some in-ear described performances available), the program invites us to meet these characters on their own terms.
The Trip to Bountiful is a touching tale of one woman’s devotion to her roots
Written by Horton Foote, The Trip to Bountiful at Toronto’s Alumnae Theatre evokes differences between city life and country life and between the needs of the elderly and the younger generation. But the heart of the story goes much deeper than that as it expresses one woman’s unshakable longing for her roots.
Mama Watts (Jane Hunter) is an elderly woman who’s cooped up in a Houston, Texas apartment at a busy street corner. She’s living with her son Ludie (Jamie Johnson) and daughter-in-law Jessie Mae (Kim Croscup). Mama Watts yearns to return to her hometown Bountiful (also called a “swamp” by Jessie Mae) and this desire is all-encompassing. She hasn’t been home for 30 years.
This play checks all the boxes for me: the writing is tight and Hennig weaves an interesting and engaging story with these characters from the Tudor era. The performances are great across the board and the technical aspects and set design are certainly impressive. It’s a great show, and I do recommend it. Continue reading Review: Mother’s Daughter (Soulpepper)→
Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of January 20, 2020
Not that I am a winter superfan, but I admit I had been yearning a bit for a crisp white snowy day. With the weather the past few weeks, it had been hard to remember what season it is! I do miss the idyllic winter I remember from childhood. And my kids missed making snowmen and tobogganing… and the hot chocolate and marshmallows afterward.
The thing adult me enjoys most about winter though is all of the amazing theatre. And we are in the midst of one of the best theatre seasons in awhile (in my opinion!). This week it’s our erstwhile Publisher Megan’s opportunity to let you know what shows this week have her itching to hit a theatre this week. Check out Megan’s ‘red’ listing of things that caught her attention and head out to see a show!Continue reading Toronto Playlistings for the Week of January 20, 2020→
What is the price of safety? What must you leave behind forever in transit to a new life? Theatre Passe Muraille, in collaboration with Theatre Mada, raises these questions in Suitcase/Adrenaline, a timely double bill of one-act plays by Ahmad Meree, on the multilayered experiences of Syrian refugees. Presented in Arabic with English surtitles (with some in-ear described performances available), the program invites us to meet these characters on their own terms.
Written by Horton Foote, 
The daring third installment of the Queenmaker series explores the rise of Bloody Mary