Dance virtuoso Vincent Mantsoe wows Toronto audiences at the Harbourfront Centre
The word “virtuoso” is one that has understandably lost its impact. Like all superlatives, it’s easy to toss around, and if it ever made readers perk up, it doesn’t anymore.
But when Danceworks curator Mimi Beck writes that Vincent Mantsoe — performing his two-part show NTU and Skwatta at Harbourfront Centre Theatre until January 31 — is a dancer of “breathtaking virtuosity,” she’s just stating the facts. He’s incredible.
Canadian Stage wows Toronto audiences with the “emotionally gripping” The Other Place
When I first read the description of The Other Place, I was expecting to walk into an emotional thriller that would have me at the edge of my seat. Instead, I was taken into another journey that wasn’t quite dark and mysterious but informative and at times emotionally gripping. The talented cast and the creative set design by Judith Bowden were the highlights of this Canadian Stage production.
Shawn Hitchins’ one man show was “funny yet moving” at Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
I sat down in my seat for Ginger Nation by Shawn Hitchins and looked around the room. I was not used to seeing Buddies in Bad Times Theatre looking so calm. On Saturday nights the theatre opens its doors as a bar and dance club. I was so accustomed to the speakers blasting 90’s hits and glorious drag queens strutting down the main staircase. This version of “Buddies” was toned down, but it had just as much spirit as the Saturday night crowd. I left the theatre just as elated as I do when I dance the night away.
The show opened with who I thought was an overly-enthusiastic Emcee. Soon I found out that it was Diana Love, the opening comedian. Love can only be described as a delightful weirdo. She introduced herself to the room as “your best friend for the next twenty minutes.” She did feel like a close friend who really lets loose over pitchers of sangria. She flipped from silly jokes about her hometown in P.E.I to lewd jokes about her sex life. Every punch line was followed by a laugh like she was shocked that she confessed that to a room full of people. By the end of her set, I was trying to wipe the tears from under my glasses. Continue reading Review: Ginger Nation (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre)→
Some people don’t like going to theatre because it’s more expensive than the movies. Or so they think. Pshaw, I say to that. Tickets to all of these shows are available for $25 or less. So would you rather go see some big, very loud IMAX movie (that your would probably enjoy more at home, where you can talk over it) or some real, live theatre? I mean, look at how many cool shows there are this week!
Finish your January in style – go see some theatre! Here’s a list of all the shows that caught our eye that are playing in Toronto this week. Anything highlighted in red with two asterisks before it particularly caught the eye of our Founding Editor, Megan.
