When I read the synopsis of Always on Alert (playing at the Alumnae Theatre), which tells us that the protagonist is in an isolated cabin in the Arctic attending to “the button” that could put an end to humanity, I was both intrigued and wary. It was sure to be philosophical—always up my alley, but the set-up sounded, to put it mildly, a little too obvious.
A perusal of the company’s website informed me that the “Iconoclasm Theatre Company intends to provoke audiences to examine social norms and collective understandings that may impede social justice” and that their goal is to “not only entertain but challenge audiences to examine culture, religion, and their symbols.” These intentions are certainly evident in David Lichty’s script and direction for Always on Alert. Continue reading Review: Always on Alert (Iconoclasm Theatre Company)→
This is what I love about Toronto: I have been living here for over twenty years and I am still finding out about different arts festivals happening all the time! I hadn’t actually heard of the Lab Cab Festival when I was asked to do a preview of it, and I am glad to have gotten the assignment. I will give you the down low on this vibrant arts festival happening this Saturday and Sunday in the Parkdale neighborhood.
Back in 2001, The Lab Cab Festival started out as a monthly ‘laboratory cabaret’ held at the Factory Studio. Any artist from any discipline could share their experimental work in front of an audience and, besides a ten-minute time limit, there were no formal restrictions. It turned out that Toronto was hungry for more short format performance, and the hit cabaret night turned into the present day festival happening this weekend, now produced by Aviva Armour-Ostroff and Andre du Toit. Continue reading Preview: Lab Cab Festival: Parkdale→
After an exciting Toronto Fringe Festival, which proved yet again that creating some of the city’s best theatre only needs a shoestring budget and talent, my standards have again been raised.
The Trial of Ken Gass is a fictional tale based on the non-fictional occurrence of Canadian theatre legend Ken Gass’ controversial dismissal. The play, written and directed by Bobby Del Rio, is done in an absurdist style. Del Rio drew inspiration from classic absurdists like Franz Kafka (hence the title) and Samuel Beckett. The mish-mash of Kafka’s bureaucratic frustration, Beckett’s oddness, and Del Rio’s sense of humour puts an entertaining spin on the Canadian theatre controversy.
“Devious and Frightening and Sexy”: Soulpepper’s Sloane Delivers
Entertaining Mr. Sloane, as directed by Brendan Healy for Soulpepper, is a wicked romp through violence, desperation and sexual exploitation. The characters approach each other with ulterior motives, each armed with their respective wiles and a marked lack of anything approaching ethics. Joe Orton’s controversial play from 1964 still seems relevant today, as it isn’t based so much on the mores of the time as on the malevolent and self-serving aspects of human nature.
I was surprised when I walked in and saw that it was set in the round. I’m familiar with the script and it was definitely written for a proscenium, with some business dependent on that staging. As we discovered at the talk back session (which Soulpepper always offers after their Tuesday night performances) the round was a concession to a different production playing in the same theatre. Continue reading Review: Entertaining Mr. Sloane (Soulpepper)→
“Devious and Frightening and Sexy”: Soulpepper’s Sloane Delivers