Reviews of productions based in Toronto – theatre includes traditional definitions of theatre, as well as dance, opera, comedy, performance art, spoken word performances, and more. Productions may be in-person, or remote productions streamed online on the Internet.
by George Perry
i was Barbie (sic) is playing to sold-out houses at Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. Nina Arsenault’s one-woman show is one of the most talked about plays at Summerworks. People seem to love a good freak show.
This monologue runs just over an hour. It is the story of Ms Arsenault’s one night stand playing Barbie at a red carpet event for Fashion Week. Actually, it was a “pink 219” carpet event.
Continue reading i was Barbie (venusmachine) – 2010 Summerworks review
By Crystal Wood
My first thought after watching The Emotionalists was “Wow, this is a really good play.” My second thought was “Wow, this is a Sky Gilbert play?” That’s not to say that I haven’t enjoyed his other work, but it’s quite different in style and tone from most of his Buddies in Bad Times fare. Mr. Gilbert, if you’re reading this, more The Emotionalists please!
I’m probably the only person in the world who didn’t read The Fountainhead in my teens, so I know Ayn Rand only by name. You don’t need to know much about the woman or her philosophies before going in, though, because the play is clear and entertaining in its own right.
Continue reading The Emotionalists (Stuck in the Mud Productions) – 2010 Summerworks Review
by George Perry
Molotov Circus is not a one woman show, but it is a one family show. It is playing at The Lower Ossington Theatre in Toronto as part of Summerworks. Anybody who has ever been part of a family can recognize their own youth, their own mothers, fathers and siblings in this play.
This is a family of gypsies, so they don’t have the typical domestic trappings. What they do have is each other and their great talents.
Continue reading Molotov Circus (Squeezebox Mama) – 2010 Summerworks review
by Dorianne Emmerton
In Pyretic Productions Me Happy a young woman named Biddy lives in a tiny remote town in Ireland called Muff. Muff’s only claim to fame is three large cliffs which provide a spectacular view, constant danger of falling to one’s death, and an ideal venue for cliff diving.
That’s right: diving in Muff. That’s the kind of humour at work in Me Happy. It’s no workout for brain, but on a rainy dreary Sunday I was quite happy to be entertained with some bathroom humour. Continue reading My Happy (Pyretic Productions) – 2010 Summerworks review
By Amber Landgraff
When I joined a group of about 15 people in the courtyard of Factory Theatre for the 9 PM showing of Uncle Lindy’s Quit Yer Snivelin’ Tour of Life, one of three walking tours offered as part of this year’s Summerworks Theatre Festival’s Summerwalks, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
Uncle Lindy promised to take us on a tour of our own psyches. A spiritual walkabout that would have us emerge on the other side with a better understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. It seemed a tall order for a $5.00 60 minute or under walking tour.
Continue reading Uncle Lindy's Quit Yer Snivelin' Tour of Life – 2010 Summerworks Review