All posts by George Perry

George has always been passionate about theatre, but didn’t know it. As a young boy he was mesmerized by professional wrestling. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was an early role model. Shortly thereafter, the explosive histrionics of Pete Townshend would supersede this Canadian icon. George’s attention later turned to American theatre. Jello Biafra became a seminal influence. The “Do It Yourself” ethic was firmly embraced by Perry, and he ventured into the vast repetoire of artists like Paul Westerberg and Steve Albini. As a young adult, he was re-introduced to the works of Townshend. His then girlfriend, Michelle, was hugely impressed by the theatrical production of The Who’s “Tommy”. He meandered through factories, schools, border towns and Michigan for a very long time afterwards. He eventually landed in Toronto. All these influences were brought together in one kettle when George discovered Mooney on Theatre. He understands and personifies that theatre is indeed for everyone. To further this end goal, he contributes.

The Making Of (by The Ensemble ) 2010 Toronto Fringe Review

by George Perry

making-of-press-hires

Improv is alive and well at Toronto Fringe

The Making Of is a fantastic play being staged at Theatre Passe Murail.  It’s part of Fringe Toronto, and it hijacks the word “synergy”.  It brings the word back from a garbage truck travelling west on the 401, dumping it at Queen and Bathurst.  In other words, there’s a new comedy troupe in Toronto, and this is it.

This is what Saturday Night Live should be.  This is what SCTV was in its prime.  Seeing these six people on stage together is like licking a cool ice cream cone on a 35 degree day.  All of the people onstage are caricatures of people we all know, people we all love to hate, or love to love.

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It’s Raining in Barcelona (Bundle of JOY productions) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review

By George Perry

Alan Long, Leora Joy Godden, & Jeffrey Pufahl

Sex, drugs and infidelity at Toronto Fringe

It’s Raining in Barcelona is a play about a prostitute interested in Dante, her pimp and one of her “Johns”.  It takes place entirely in trashy bedroom.  I saw the play on Canada Day at Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace.  Because of the day, and with that sort of subject matter, I was thinking-“Beauty!  A New Trailer Park Boys movie, eh!”

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Review: Triple Threat

by George Perry

Going to a play in the middle of the G20 Summit was an interesting thing.  But Triple Threat, playing upstairs in the Berkeley Street Theatre, was waiting.

photo of Christopher Sawchyn, Roger Bainbridge and Jeffrey R. Smith

Triple Threat happened to be playing at The Berkely Street Theatre while the G20 summit had downtown Toronto locked down.

I headed out into the rain, hailed a cab, and gave the driver directions.

“Into the siege!  The belly of the beast!”

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Review: The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer – LuminaTO

by George Perry

Massey Hall in Toronto hosts an orchestra, two sopranos, a murder and John Malkovich

The Infernal Comedy Confessions of a Serial Killer

Rushing down to Massey Hall, I saw an abandoned crutch on the subway platform. I shall remember that image forever; it is how I will remember this play.

The night before seeing The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer as part of the LuminaTO festival, my friend Mike gave me a book about psychopaths. He thought it might help me out in the corporate world. Clinical analysis shows that psychopaths appear more normal than normal.

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