It didn't faze me that I had just inhaled a couple of burgers and was on my way to the Cultch to see a show about food, fat and fitness. I'm also sure most guys would have done the same thing. The only time I am thinking about food as a negative only happens when I've eaten so much that I can't zip up my jeans and I have to go out. I'm all about food. If I could I would be a full time eater-of-food...or maybe a food critic...hmmm...
Now, let's change the POV. What about women? What thoughts...
The story flows naturally and transplants the audience member into the life of a girl named Timal (Veenesh Dubois). Taking place in Fiji, Veenesh's characters are well defined, having a lot of depth from her culture, which are strongly embedded within them.
Jigsaw is a blend of feel-good fun, smart humour, and quiet sincerity, and its young performers work hard to bring its nuances to life. Billed as “a youth-produced cabaret” that draws inspiration from the 1920s, The Hero's Journey, and our modern desires,” it is a series of inter-connected vignettes that follow two loosely-sketched characters (played by Maya-Roisin Slater and Paisley Nahanee) on a psychological and theatrical journey through the world of 1920s stage-performance. The scenes are conntected thematically, but each is also a self-contained drama and characters shift and transform from scene to scene.
No really, folks, this is quality theatre. The budding seven-year old magician in overalls who sat on his mom’s lap beside me mumbled that he, “loved da feet trick.”
Another modern adaptation of an ancient myth participating in this year's SummerWorks Festival, Hero and Leander drags the tragic tale of two mortal star-crossed lovers who defy the gods into the forum of the Broadway musical with flair and a generous dollop of popular appeal.
Hannah's Turn (on now as part of the SummerWorks Festival) sheds light on an intriguing and personal chapter of noted philosopher Martin Heidegger's life. More accurately it sheds light on his relationship with Hannah Arendt (Severn Thompson), Heiddegger's student, lover, and intellectual sparring partner. Although it is never explicitly spelled out in the program notes, it would not be a stretch to assume that the title refers to the fact that Heidegger (Richard Clarkin) overshadowed Arendt in terms of historical renown, and this is work is, in part, intended to give voice to his lesser known companion by placing...
Another incredibly strong entry in this year's SummerWorks Festival, The Particulars & In General ::with wit, tenderness, and a razor sharp script from Matt MacKenzie.
Fans of the Greek tragedy genre have a treat on their hands at this year's SummerWorks Festival: duelling adaptations of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, one titled Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, the other simply titled One. The good news for those who aren't fans of Greek tragedy is that both productions are modern, lively, and offer new twists on familiar dramatic material.
Hannah Moscovitch has been dubbed the "It Girl" (ahem, “It Woman”) of the next generation of playwrights since she burst onto the scene with her memorable one-acters Essay and The Russian Play. That reputation was cemented when her full length work, East of Berlin, captured the imagination of the Toronto theatre scene, packing in audiences over the course of a regular run, an extension, and a remount. Her latest offering, Little One (on as part of this year's SummerWorks Festival), simply proves that she is no flash in the pan, nor has she peaked early.
Little One follows...
Michelle Monteith in Little One; photo by Natasha Mytnowych
