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.
Do you want to see a winner? Go see Tamaya Productions’ Checkpoint 300 written and directed by Michelle Wise, this year’s winner of the Fringe’s First Play Competition. It is indeed very well-crafted and it continuously surprises us with unexpected facts and plot twists. I will not go into details, no need for spoiler alerts.
Continue reading Checkpoint 300 (Tamaya Productions) 2019 Toronto Fringe Review
Comedy Records Presents: Jay & Eytan by Comedy Records is playing at Randolph Theatre as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival. Jay and Eytan are a comedy duo based in Brooklyn, NY but are originally from Canada. They’ve been touring around and are stopping right here in Toronto! Continue reading Comedy Records Presents: Jay and Eytan (Comedy Records) 2019 Toronto Fringe Review
Malvolio is a Shakespearean character, so I prepared myself to review I, Malvolio, produced by impel theatre and playing at the Toronto Fringe Festival, by watching Twelfth Night. I knew close to nothing about this play, initially written and performed by Tim Crouch. Continue reading I, Malvolio (impel theatre) 2019 Toronto Fringe Review
As I took my seat for GoodSide Productions‘ Old-ish in theToronto Fringe Festival at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, I was struck with two thoughts. First, “Oh yeah, heat rises, this might not have been the best seat to choose” and second, “This generally a much older demographic than most Fringe audiences.” I hope the latter changes over the course of the festival because Susan Freedman has an interesting story to tell, and its interest isn’t limited by age.
Continue reading Old-ish (GoodSide Productions) 2019 Toronto Fringe Review
Through the Bamboo, presented by Uwi Collective at the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival, is a play by husband-and-wife team Byron Abalos and Andrea Mapili based on Phillipine mythology. Directed by Nina Lee Aquino, artistic director of Factory Theatre, the show is an emotionally-resonant tale of generational connection.
The family-friendly story is a testament to the power of storytelling and memory, and the need to fully experience grief and loss, rather than to embrace denial. It is an absolutely charming piece of young people’s theatre; the writing is a bit more elevated than you’d find at a usual children’s show, but it’s still drawn in the broad, entertaining strokes that will appeal to kids. Aquino’s direction and visual sensibility is top-notch, and keeps things going at a furious pace, getting the best out of a large company of actors. Overall, it packs a huge emotional wallop, and will likely leave few of its audience with dry eyes.
Continue reading Through The Bamboo (Uwi Collective) 2019 Toronto Fringe Review