Reviews of theatre, dance, opera, comedy and festivals. Performances can be in-person or streamed remotely on the web for social-distancing.
By Dana Lacey
I’ve never been to an opera. I have, however, seen plenty in movies and Bugs Bunny cartoons, so I figured I knew what I was in for when I went to check out La Señorita Mundo – an operatic allegory.
That was my first mistake. The second was sitting in the front row. Continue reading Summerworks 2009 – La Señorita Mundo – an operatic allegory
By Trent Scherer
Not even a city labour dispute could put a dampener on the opening weeks of The Tempest, The Canadian Stage Company’s production for this year’s Dream in High Park.
Continue reading Shakespeare’s The Tempest – The Canadian Stage Company
by Lucy Allen
I always find it interesting how our expectations affect our enjoyment of a play. After hearing about Praxis Theatre’s Underneath, currently playing in the Factory Theatre Mainspace as part of the Summerworks Festival, I walked in nervously expecting a brutal, unforgiving look at postwar Kosovo. The subject matter alone had the potential to leave one feeling disturbed and guilty. And yet, upon leaving the theatre, I felt oddly detached from what I had just seen.
Continue reading Summerworks 2009: Underneath – Praxis Theatre
by Lucy Allen
It’s hard to believe that a show would leave me feeling so happy to be sad. Project Undertow’s Melancholy Play, playing in the Factory Theatre Mainspace as part of the Summerworks Festival, opened tonight to a large, welcoming audience and with good reason. I left the show feeling anything but melancholy.
Continue reading Summerworks 2009: Melancholy Play – Project Undertow
By Leif Conti-Groome
Having not been born in the 60’s, it can be hard for me to follow a conversation between two hippies (not that I get caught in that situation often). But after watching Les Coquettes present The Long, Hot Summer: A ’60s Cabaret, I was taken back to those rebellious days. With some sensuous displays of free love, lava lamp styled lighting and an abundance of peace gestures (I’m not kidding here) this show really captured the essence of a decade, great music and all.
Continue reading The Long, Hot Summer: A '60s Cabaret- Les Coquettes Nouveau Burlesque