Dorianne is a graduate of the Theatre and Drama Studies joint program between University of Toronto, Erindale campus and Sheridan College. She writes short stories, plays and screenplays and was delighted to be accepted into the 2010 Diaspora Dialogues program and also to have her short story accepted into the 2011 edition of TOK: Writing The New Toronto collection. She is also a regularly contributing writer on http://www.sexlifecanada.ca. You can follow her on twitter @headonist if you like tweets about cats, sex, food, queer stuff and lefty politics.
The Lorax brings environmental message to the Toronto stage
My five year old and I went on Sunday afternoon to catch the Mirvish production of Dr Seuss’s The Lorax at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. My wife and I love this story and its environmental message, and all three of us have delightedly watched the 1972 version on YouTube a number of times. Now Mirvish has imported a production directly from the Old Vic Theatre in London, England, complete with music and puppets, to bring Dr Seuss’s incredible imagination alive on stage.
Echo Productions brings old story new life, now on stage in Toronto
Charlie: Son of Man is a new, original play from Echo Productions depicting the Charlie Manson murders and trial, with “a modern twist.” The twist, as far as I could see, was simply the interjection of cell phones into the action, but they were used powerfully. The cell phones provided humour, visual effects, and a point: that we shouldn’t write off such horror stories as distant incidents in the past. The show is also marked by inspired movement pieces, and passionate performances from all. Continue reading Review: Charlie: Son of Man (Echo Productions)→
Manwatching explores cis men delving into sexuality from a woman’s perspective, on stage in Toronto
The concept of Manwatching, on now at Tarragon, is both simple and novel: a male comedian reads, sight unseen, a script written by an anonymous woman that reflects on sex with men. There is no doubt that the text of the monologue was not previously released to the comedian who, on opening night, was Arthur Simeon. Simeon stumbled, reread bits to get it right, had authentic expressions of incredulity and surprise, and sometimes seemed to blush — none of which detracted from his delightful stage presence. The concept demands that there be a different performer each night, and the lineup is great. Most of the names are ones I recognize from my habit of listening to CBC Radio comedies, such as The Debaters. Continue reading Manwatching (Royal Court Theatre/Tarragon Theatre)→
Exploring the dark side of manhood and toxic masculinity, Daughter is on stage in Toronto
Daughter, onstage now at the Theatre Centre, dives into the dark side of fatherhood and manhood, ostensibly in a critique of toxic masculinity. It’s a compelling performance from Adam Lazarus, a well known figure in Toronto’s clown community. He’s also the writer, blending elements of autobiography into the story. The audience is supposed to be unsure at any given moment if we are hearing from Lazarus the man, or the monster he has created.
The Lorax brings environmental message to the Toronto stage
Echo Productions brings old story new life, now on stage in Toronto
Alexander Showcase Theatre presents George Bernard Shaw’s classic play Pygmalion in Toronto
Manwatching explores cis men delving into sexuality from a woman’s perspective, on stage in Toronto
Exploring the dark side of manhood and toxic masculinity, Daughter is on stage in Toronto