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.
Tanztheatre Wuppertal Returns to Toronto with the Triumphant Kontakhof
I could feel the anticipation from the audience before the sold out show began. It’s been 30-years since the legendary Pina Bausch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal has performed in Canada. Finally, on the 40th anniversary of Tanztheater Wuppertal, Luminato Festival brought them back to show us one of Bausch’s most memorable productions, Kontakhof.
Pina Bausch was one of the first to introduce theatre in dance. Her choreography spoke to the human spirit as she stripped away the layers of pretense and got down to talking about what’s real. First staged in 1978, Kontakhof touched on the relationship between the sexes and the deep desire to be loved. The performers were first introduced as individuals, not really connecting with each other but humorously walking to the front of the stage to show the audience their profile and their teeth!
An interactive story exploring a journey to Shikoku, Japan, Walk When You Walk played at Toronto’s Theatre Centre
A two-hour contemplative walk, a sharing of perspectives and koans, making and eating rice balls and learning about the self was one part of the Tracy Wright Global Archive project. Beginning at The Theatre Centre, we stepped into the mind of well-known Butoh artist Denise Fujiwara, as she took us back into her own journey of travelling to the 88 Temples Pilgrimage on the island of Shikoku, Japan.
Award-winning choreographer Hari Krishnan presents SKIN and QUICKSAND at Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times
inDANCE’s Artistic Director Hari Krishnan isn’t someone who shies away from creating bold, provocative, honest and powerful work. Each time I saw an inDANCE show in the past, my heart danced with joy. In fact my only critique was that the shows weren’t long enough. And that is far from being a negative criticism. So when I found out that inDANCE was presenting a double-bill of new contemporary dance works at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, I couldn’t have been more pleased and excited!
For four days only, beginning Wednesday May 21st, inDANCE presents SKIN and QUICKSAND. Internationally recognized choreographer and Bessie (NYC) and Dora (TO) Award nominee Hari Krishnan, takes some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his choreographic process and what audiences can expect to see at his show.
A familial story told through dance, Akram Khan brings DESH to the Canadian Stage
He’s known as one of Britain’s top choreographers receiving numerous awards and commissions from around the world. Whether you recognize his name from the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremonies or you have heard about his spectacular awe-inspiring dance shows, choreographer and dancer Akram Khan has become a household name but his journey as a celebrated artist wasn’t always an easy one.
Khan is bringing a very touching and personal story to the Toronto audiences; a story that transports him back to his own childhood and homeland, Bangladesh. The 80-minute solo dance work, DESH (meaning homeland), showcases his complex relationship with his father as he uses intricate fast unique movements to tell this emotional story. Visually and technologically appealing in every way, DESH, commissioned by Canadian Stage, is being premiered at the Bluma Appel Theatre on October 31st and Toronto, you don’t want to miss this!
A sexy cat and mouse chase takes the stage in Venus in Fur playing at Toronto’s Bluma Appel Theatre
Auditions can never be looked at the same way again after watching the intense power struggle between actors Rick Miller and Carly Street in the Canadian Stage production, Venus in Fur.
The moment when Vanda (played by Street) stumbled in late for her audition, she commanded the stage with her exotic look and fiery personality. She convinced Thomas the playwright/director (Miller) to give her a shot and let her read. Reluctantly, Thomas eventually agreed to listen to the vibrant yet somewhat frantic woman who stood tall in her sexy black leather lingerie and stilettos. I honestly think it would be hard for anyone to say NO to her.
