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.
From the press release:
If I could be a hybrid species, here’s what I would be
A creature who’s one half hyena and one half me
And when I’m called to testify upon my own behalf,
I’ll take the stand and be sworn in and laugh and laugh and laugh.
Hyena Subpoena is a masterwork by one of Canada’s most unique and accomplished creators for the page and stage.
Continue reading Hyena Subpoena – Toronto Fringe 2017 Press Release
From the press release:
The Teeny Tiny Music Show now plays Toronto after being critically acclaimed the “hottest event of the 2016 Fringe”
Put down your knitting and grab a beer with us at the renowned Pauper’s Pub as we celebrate the “immersive musical rave-up” revue, The Teeny Tiny Music Show.
Continue reading Teeny Tiny Music Show – Toronto Fringe 2017 Press Release
Excerpt from Press Release:
Welcome to the Bunker! is an immersive zombie apocalypse comedy set in a bunker deep below Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. Katie, a young zombie rights activist, and Todd, an antisocial doomsday prepper, will give you and your fellow survivors an orientation into bunker living that could just save your lives- if everything goes according to their half-assed, yet optimistic, plan. Feelings Circles! Obsessive rationing! Nearly fully figured out chemical toilets! Just ignore that scratching coming from the walls, won’t you?
Bunker! was created as a collaboration between two very different artistic disciplines: comedy/improvisation, and traditional theatre, plus a side of nerdy obsession with horror tropes. Welcome to the Bunker! is a fast, furious, non-stop comedy that uses the ridiculous cliches of zombie mythology to explore themes such as generational tension, loss, and hope in the face of disaster. Like…a really big, gory disaster.
This is the first collaboration between Clare Blackwood and Ryan F. Hughes. Ryan is an award-winning playwright, actor, and improviser. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School’s playwrighting program and Second City Toronto’s Conservatory program. Clare Blackwood has worked with many independent theatre companies in Toronto, specializing in Shakespeare and musical theatre, and is a My Entertainment World Award best ensemble winner for Romeo and (her) Juliet (Urban Bard/Headstrong Collective). Director Alison Louder has previously assistant directed 2016 Patron’s Pick The Harvester (Rabbit in a Hat Prod.) and has held a spot on the Best Local Actress Top 10 list in Montreal for over a decade. Film/tv credits include Being Human, Murdoch Mysteries, Saving Hope, and Xavier Dolan’s upcoming film The Death and Life of John F. Donovan. Stage Manager Justine Cargo was the assistant stage manager for 2016 Fringe hit Romeo and Juliet Chainsaw Massacre, and stage manager for Storefront Theatre’s Tough Jews, nominated for 6 Dora Awards.
Don’t miss this Fringe’s weirdo, underground (literally!) zombie hit that will have you die laughing, rise again laughing, and eat some brains. Laughing.
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Photo of Clare Blackwood and Ryan F. Hughes by Max Telzerow.
Excerpt from Press Release:
Moonlight After Midnight is a romantic mystery that beguiles audiences with the simple story of a woman and a man accidentally meeting in a hotel room. Though as the story shifts and fractures, the dramatic possibilities multiply, culminating in a heart-rending twist.
In the summer of 2010, Vanessa Quesnelle and Martin Dockery met at a theatre festival in London, Ontario, had a fringe romance, and within weeks decided to tour a two-person play across the country the following year. What could have been a four-month disastrous tour proved to be the groundwork for their courtship and Concrete Drops Theatre was born. Today, they are married and continue to create and tour their work together.
Concrete Drops Theatre has toured five plays to fringe festivals across Australia and North America. Moonlight After Midnight has been awarded the Weekly Award – Best Theatre at the Adelaide Australia Fringe, Best Theatre of Adelaide Fringe – The Advertiser newspaper, Critics Pick Best Show at Cincinnati Fringe, Critics Pick Best Show at Orlando Fringe, Runner-Up Critics Pick at Vancouver Fringe Festival, Best Original Work at Ottawa Fringe Festival.
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Performances
Photo of Vanessa Quesnelle and Martin Dockery by Will O’Hare.
Excerpt from press release:
North American humans you think William Shakespeare wrote Mac Beth ha, ha, ha..well we’ll tell you the truth (wink wink) who really wrote the play. Three bouffon women (if you want to call them that) put the weird in the Wyrd sisters. The bouffon search for humanity brings a reluctant William Shakespeare on a journey from a living hell to acceptance.
Weirder Thou Art stars Ronak Singh as The Virgin, Stephen Flett as the Matron, Anne Shepherd as the Crone and Philip Krusto as William Shakespeare.
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Performances
Photo by Ardyth Johnson.