The opening night production of Spamalot at the Arts Club Stanley Theatre was exactly what I was hoping it would be, a hilarious spectacle dripping in silliness. Self described as “lovingly ripped off ” from the comic genius 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this musical ‘extravaganza’ includes many iconic scenes from the film.
It opens with King Arthur scouring his kingdom, servant Patsy closely in tow banging two coconut shells together to mimic the hoof sound of Arthur’s “horse”, in an effort to recruit Knights to his Round Table in Camelot. Once assembled, and at...
The experience is like watching a series of snap shots, moving from one into the next, add the sound of voices individual and in a chorus, a violin and percussive instruments aptly punctuating movement and the poetry and you have the essence of Mother Tongue.
In part one (The Poet's Dream), the snap shots are beautifully lit. Costume designer Barbara Clayden creates layered looks for each performer with a multitude of swatches of black and white; strips, slashes, splatters... blending these contrasting shapes to great effect. Lighting Designer Bryan Kenney uses the white in the costumes to pick up colour in his...
Linda Quibell, Jane Osborne, Peter Anderson, Vanessa Goodman (photo by Tim Matheson)
Running until May 3 at Studio 1398, Equity Collective Bad Dog Productions is presenting Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Adventure. It's a spoof make-over of The Hound of the Baskervilles adapted by a British comedy duo (John Nicholson and Steven Canny) which was such a hit in its 2007 premiere that it ended up touring the UK and transferring to the West End.
Ellie King directs this fast-paced production featuring James Rowley, Mark Carter and Michael Charrois in multiple roles. Our intrepid detective Sherlock Holmes (Charrois) sports a fine French-ish accent and is flanked by a goofy Dr. Watson (Carter). They encounter...
Cast members James Rowley, Mark Carter and Michael Charrois
Mies Julie is an interpretation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie taking place in the new South Africa. The set was simple and symbolic, typical of South African Theatre and as a native South African I was prepared for an imaginative, magical ride with no punches pulled.
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Bongile Mantsai, Hilda Cronje in Mies Julie, pic by Murdo MacLeod
In honour of the visual polyphony attempted by the creative team of Helen Lawrence, two intrepid PLANK reviewers attended the world premiere showing and recorded their discussion post-show in a fairly synchonous fashion. Allyson McGrane and Danielle Benzon weigh in as they hang in a pub drinking Grolsch.
Gerard Plunkett and Nicholas Lea (Photo by David Cooper)
I was embarrassed to be a member of the audience last night at Vancouver Opera’s visually stunning production of Don Giovanni. Not because of the raunchy content, but because of the rude and disrespectful behaviour of so many members of the audience. I was appalled to see almost a quarter of the crowd stand up and leave during the not particularly long curtain call. This is a live performance, you’re not at a movie theatre, the people on stage can see you leaving. Don’t stand for an ovation...
Ballet BC is, in my opinion, the best performing arts company in Vancouver. Innovative, thought-provoking, collaborative, expressive, disciplined, inspired, dedicated and consistent in delivering a high standard of production.
After listening to Emily Molnar and Medhi Walerski at the pre-talk so eloquently describe the intentions and qualities of the work in Grace Symmetry and then experiencing (not just watching, but hearing and feeling) such a powerful, graceful, poignant and physically eloquent collection of pieces, I feel that my words are awkward and fumbling in comparison. There is no way to describe the depth, subtlety and...
Photography by Michael Slobodian. Dancers - Rachel Meyer & Darren Devaney
From the moment you enter into the theatre you are made to feel welcomed. Real life mother, Asha and son, Ravi greet the audience with a handshake, a smile, a personal introduction and food! Delicious vegetarian samosas are handed out. With the taste of Indian spices and the warmth of a hello, the stage is set to settle in for the next 90 minutes and hear a true family story, the story of finding a wife for Ravi in the traditional Indian way. A tradition that has come into conflict with the Canadian born and raised son.
Both characters connect...
Ravi & Asha Jain onstage (photo by Erin Brubacher)
Precision and armwork. The articulations of flamenco dancers, totally fluid. Synced group work, a marching arrow of dancers, pierces towards the stage.
The music was at times odd, at times beautiful. Repetition of bass and distortion entered and exited the piece. Where were the dancers in relation to those sounds? It gnawed at me. In the minimalist aesthetic, nothing should be wasted or careless. It should matter.
The first half flew by.
The robotic dog opens the second half. Why is there a robotic dog on stage. Why does Wen Wei carry it along the backstage later?
In watching Wen Wei's latest creation, 7th Sense on Saturday night at the Playhouse, I experienced a myriad of sensations, thoughts and curiosities about the world that he and the dancers created for us that evening. At times I felt connected and invited into the world that the dancers were in and at other moments I felt completely cutoff from them and felt frustrated at the notion of wanting to be let in and not being allowed in. Most of all at the end of the piece I was left wondering, where the dancers were in time and...
