All posts by Madeleine Copp

Madeleine Copp saw her first show when she was four years old and it was love at first sight. She pursued a bachelor’s in theatre production and design and English literature, culminating in a love for flexible, innovative, and diverse theatre artists that challenge all our preconceived notions of the stage. Her thesis, Printed Voices: Women, Print, and Performance pushed for new interpretations of closet drama from the early modern to modern period in the hopes of seeing more female playwrights included in the performance canon. Since graduating, Madeleine continues to seek out unexpected, startling, and challenging works that leave her angry, speechless, and wonderfully confused.

Review: Frolick in the Face of Death (Frolick Theatre)

Picture of Frolick in the Face of Certain Death

Toronto’s Frolick Studio Theatre goes easy on terror, but asks you to get your hands a bit bloody

A murder, a missing body, and a long forgotten history. Is anyone really ready for  by Frolick Theatre playing at the Frolick Studio Theatre?

This is an interactive haunted house that thrives on its theatrical roots—a fun little romp with a few creative extras thrown in.

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Review: Aftermath (Waterworks Company)

Photo of Helena Levitt as Andrea DworkinAftermath, now on stage in Toronto, is intense and challenging

In 1999, feminist activist and writer Andrea Dworkin was drugged and raped in Paris. Aftermath, adapted for the stage by Adam Thorburn from from an unpublished work of Dworkin’s, produced by Waterworks Company and playing at the Aki Studio, is her story in her own words.

This is not an easy production to watch, and it’s even harder to forget.

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Review: Come What Mayhem (The Second City)

Photo of Come What Mayhem castThe Second City Toronto premieres it’s Fall mainstage comedy revue Come What Mayhem

When we look back on 2016, what exactly will we be seeing? A year of change? Or a year full of the same old same old? The Second City’s Come What Mayhem playing at the Second City Mainstage crafts a show that aims to fight apathy with hilarity.

This politically charged sketch revue tackles current, ripped from the headline events and attempts to not only challenge our perspectives, but also open dialogue. For me, it’s how these sketches directly challenge the audience to respond that makes not only the comedy that much funnier, but also makes the entire premise shine.

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Preview: Women of Musical Theatre Festival (Marion Abbott)

Photo of Marion AbbottA new festival in Toronto is working to showcase women’s work in musical theatre. The Women of Musical Theatre Festival which premieres this Friday July 15th to 18th at the Arts and Letters Club is a combination of cabarets, musicals by women, and an opening panel about women’s experiences in the field.

Festival creator and executive director Marion Abbott took the time to answer a few of our questions about the festival.

Continue reading Preview: Women of Musical Theatre Festival (Marion Abbott)