All posts by Ashima Suri

With her love of theatre, dance and writing, Ashima Suri jumped on the opportunity to write for Mooney On Theatre. Ashima is an award-winning established dance artist with her own dance theatre company called Limitless Productions. In her own work, she uses art as a tool for social change. As a reviewer, she seeks out shows that speak to the diversity in the community. She loves to watch innovative shows that break the norms and challenge the audiences.

Review: Nijinsky (The National Ballet of Canada)

Nijinsky explores mental illness through dance at The National Ballet of Canada in Toronto

He was best known as one of the greatest male dancers of the early 20th Century and in the latest production by The National Ballet of Canada (NBC), we can see why. His name was Vaslav Nijinsky, a risk-taker performer and choreographer who pushed the boundaries in his time becoming one of the world’s first successful male dancers. He pushed the creative envelope and became a trailblazer in his time. His life was incredibly fascinating and the depiction of his life in NBC’s Nijinsky, was just as intriguing and exciting to watch.

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Review: Older & Reckless (Canadian Stage)

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Toronto’s leading veteran dancers took to the Berkeley Theatre stage in Older & Reckless

Performed at the gorgeous Berkeley Theatre, some of Toronto’s veteran dancers took the stage to perform dance works as part of the Older & Reckless series. Based on the pre-show talk, founder and curator Claudia Moore (MOonhORsE Dance Theatre), wanted to showcase works of older dancers in an intimate setting. The setting allowed audience members to connect with the dancers while also getting the opportunity to participate in a fun and engaging warm-up to begin the show! The dancer in me absolutely loved the interaction and the warm-up. It got my heart rate up and feeling energized!

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Review: 30 People Watching (Subtle Vigilance)

30 People Watching by Toronto’s Subtle Vigilance, is a play about the murder of BC teen Reena Virk

Chelsea lifts Rita edit

Based on the 1997 murder of Reena Virk, 30 People Watching is based on the story of the South Asian teen who was brutally assaulted and killed in Victoria, BC by several youth including Kelly Ellard. By creating the characters Rita and Chelsea, the show focuses on the unheard voices of Virk and Ellard. The play imagines what Rita and Chelsea would have said in the past and present. It’s an intriguing concept however, I couldn’t always feel the emotions behind the characters and that left me feeling a little disconnected to the play.

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Review: Uplica (Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie)

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Hip hop infused contemporary dance lit up Toronto’s Citadel in Uplica

Commissioned by Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie, Uplica is a beautifully choreographed one hour dance show that features two of Toronto’s top dancers, Laurence Lemieux and Erin Poole. It was the choreographers of this show, Apolonia Velasquez and Ofilio Sinbadinho (Gadfly), that captured my attention and piqued my interest to watch the show. Not really knowing what to expect, I went into the theatre with the slightest hunch that I was about to see some very interesting choreography and dancing. And luckily, my hunch was right!

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Retreat (Theatre Brouhaha) The Storefront Theatre

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Toronto playwright Kat Sandler spoofs reality shows in her latest play Retreat at the Storefront Theatre

Watch out Toronto, there is a new hilarious show in town that will knock the socks right of your feet! Retreat is no ordinary play. It is one-hour and forty-five minutes of time spent well!  The talented playwright Kat Sandler gives us all something to think about in her well-written, smart, fun and engaging new play now playing at The Storefront Theatre.
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