theatre
Aficionados
Allyson McGrane’s show does ‘Vision’ accompanied with much conviction and moving lights. The idea is to find the theatrical big thing, that true artistic vision that appeals to everyone. Just like Justin Bieber.
ShLong Form: Improv Fun & Games
I’m a fan of improv. I even took an improv class twice down at Granville Island. I wasn’t very good at it, which only made me even more jealous of those who could do it well. Coming up with ideas instantly and running with them in ways that aren’t merely amusing, but actually entertaining, is a tough skill to master.
Fortunate Son: Good Performances But A Story You Already Know
This one’s a big sigh. Two talented actors (Michael Armstrong as Cal, Drew Staniland as Justin Trudeau) giving excellent performances, and a nice set – but the script feels generic, like a made for TV special. There isn’t a single real surprise just a lot of verbal tennis. And it feels like we’ve seen this before.
Capital, Alice: A wonder it isn’t but effort makes it worth it
Capital, Alice!, playing at Studio 16, is a retelling of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll. In this production, Alice is a worker in a retail store and has her adventure inside of a typical suburban mall.
Value Village: Not your garden variety performance
The day after I saw Capsule, I headed back to the Boca Del Lupo studio to catch their other fifteen minute show, Value Village. This play is perhaps the best experience I have had at the Fringe for quite a few years. It is short, direct, and involves a great deal of improvisation - always a risky prospect if you don’t have a strong enough actor.
Poison The Well: Why is this show not on the silver screen?
Poison The Well is a very, very, very, very, dense script. In fact, the script is much too dense for a show featured at a Fringe anywhere in the world. The show should be a feature film! It is that good.
Plank Talk at Neanderthal Arts Festival: Jeff Gladstone
The always awesome Riel Hahn hosts our first Plank Talk with Jeff Gladstone at the Neanderthal Arts Festival. They talk about SeaOfSouls.com, a short piece he directed for the Walking Fish Showcase, and a whole bunch of other things.
Bridge Mix: serotonin when you need it
If, like me, you’ve been feeling overwhelmed with work and unable to do anything well because you’ve taken on too many things, then I suggest you head downtown to the salubrious surrounds of the Metro Parking Garage and take in Bridge Mix. It’s theatre with a serotonin kick and I guarantee you’ll come out feeling a whole lot better. Even if you’ve been feeling rather chipper, give it a go – we can always use a bit of body-induced sunshine.
Wingéd: mostly wonder
Whetstone Productions doesn’t produce a work of theatre often . . . once every few years, at best. Wingéd, the one-man show in three acts, written and performed by David Tomlinson, is worth the wait. Its quality is uneven –petering off in the end, but the first two acts are strong enough to make the audience forgive the short third act. Inside the DeLeon White Gallery, the space only seats about 50. The intimate setting allows Tomlinson to address audience members as friends or colleagues. Surrounding paintings and sculptures on display, video screens overhead and a strobe light mark the play as a multimedia endeavour worth seeing.
