All posts by Megan Mooney

Megan loves being in the thick of all things theatre, but her ultimate goal is to promote theatre to the world of non-theatre people. It was the same when she was the theatre writer for blogTO, or the Fringe Correspondent for CBC Radio One‘s Here and Now, as it is as the founder of Mooney on Theatre. Her basic belief is that there is theatre/performance out there for everyone to love, they just need to find it. This is not to be confused with the idea that everyone should love theatre for theatre’s sake, in fact, as obsessed as she is with theatre, even *she* doesn’t love all types of theatre.

The Walworth Farce – Druid Theatre Company at Harbourfront’s worldstage

By Megan Mooney

Tadhg Murphy and Michael Glenn Murphy in Walworth Farce

I wasn’t sure what I’d gotten myself into when the lights came up on Druid Theatre Company’s production of The Walworth Farce that opened this year’s worldstage festival at the Harbourfront Centre.

Turns out, I’d gotten myself into a beautifully crafted gripping, funny and terrifying world.  The Walworth Farce is a skilfully played tragedy, disguised as a farce.

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The Canadian Comedy Awards have won me over

By Megan Mooney

I wasn’t sure I wanted to trek all the way to Saint John for the Canadian Comedy Awards, but I’m glad I did.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the awards, and this has been a great way to celebrate that.  The Imperial Theatre in Saint John is beautiful and provides a pomp and circumstance that the awards deserve. 

In the world of arts awards, comedy often gets short shrift.  It’s as though established awards don’t think that comedy is artful enough.  Let me tell you though, comedy?  Not an easy thing to pull off.  There were an incredible number of very talented people nominated this year, and they worked their asses off to get there. 

Continue reading The Canadian Comedy Awards have won me over

And the Canadian Comedy Award goes to…

Well folks, the results are in, the winners have accepted their glass maple leaf award, and much drinking was done.

I am working on a piece about the awards ceremony, but I wanted to make sure you guys got the list of winners as soon as possible.

Here’s the press release:

Young People Fucking Are On Top With Three Awards with Director/Writer Martin Gero Receiving Two
The Hit Television Show Less Than Kind With Two Awards
The Jon Dore Television Show Receives Two Awards
Comedian Ron Sparks Also Takes Home Two

On Friday, October 2nd at the historic Imperial Theatre in beautiful Saint John, New Brunswick The Comedy Network Presents The Canadian Comedy Awards celebrated true excellence in Canadian Comedy.  A fabulous night was had by all hosted by another of Canada’s finest, the mighty Sean Cullen.  Presenters included the notorious Nikki Payne, Gordon Pinsent, Leah Pinsent, Peter Keleghan, Derek Edwards, Dan Redican, Lisa Lambert, Pat Thornton, Tim Steeves, Tim Progosh, Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson. 

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The Canadian Comedy Awards & Festival is around the corner…

By Megan Mooney

I’m heading to Saint John on Friday to cover the Canadian Comedy Awards.  They’re going to be hosted by Sean Cullen.  It’s gonna be a blast.  Although, I’m sure it will also be a bit surreal too, since, I’m not sure Sean Cullen has ever been involved in anything that hasn’t become surreal in some way…

The festival part starts tomorrow.  So, if you’re lucky enough to be in Saint John, check out some of the offerings on display.

There are all sorts of details below. 

Stay tuned for results and coverage over the weekend.

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From Press Release

The Comedy Network Presents The Canadian Comedy Awards & Festival 2009
Saint John, NB  10th Anniversary Edition

Canada’s Favourite ‘Human Man’ SÉAN CULLEN to host The Comedy Network Presents
The Canadian Comedy Awards October 2

— Event Dates, Venues and Ticket Information —

Continue reading The Canadian Comedy Awards & Festival is around the corner…

Secrets of a Black Boy – Trey Anthony Productions

By Megan Mooney

Darren Anthony, Shomaru Downer, Samson Brown, Al St. Louis

In case you don’t stick around for the whole review, let me just get this out there…  Secrets of a Black Boy (Playing at the Danforth Music Hall) is a great show with a really short run, and I have a feeling it’s gonna be a popular one.  So, why don’t you buy your tickets right now, figure out the rest of the details later.

Now, onto the review…

Fundamentally, theatre is about voyeurism, and watching this show is voyeurism at it’s finest.  We see the secrets that these men seem to barely be able to tell themselves, let alone anyone else.  Throughout the show an external bravado displayed during a farewell game of dominos before a community centre is torn down is contrasted by internal vulnerabilities that are disclosed only to the audience.

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