All posts by Devon Potter

Review: Woyzeck (UC Follies Theatre Company)

Woyzeck

Toronto’s UC Follies adapts Büchner’s unfinished classic play Woyzeck to highlight mental health issues

On Friday night, I made my way through a tiny door into a quiet quadrangle behind the University College building at U of T. There, the student-driven UC Follies Theatre Company performed an adaptation of Woyzeck for a very chilly but attentive audience. While the show itself raises some interesting issues and has been adapted multiple times worldwide, I felt that this particular production didn’t quite hit the mark it was aiming for. Continue reading Review: Woyzeck (UC Follies Theatre Company)

Recurring John, A New Song Cycle – 2014 SummerWorks Review

I wish I had taken a friend (or five) with me when I saw Recurring John, A New Song Cycle on Sunday afternoon. That way someone would have been able to join in the conversation when I inevitably rave about it for the next few months. It was just that good. Playing as part of this year’s SummerWorks Festival in the Musical Works in Concert series, Recurring John is a gorgeous new piece by Kevin Wong.

Continue reading Recurring John, A New Song Cycle – 2014 SummerWorks Review

Complex (Complex Collective) 2014 SummerWorks Review

Complex

Saturday saw the opening of Complex, a show presented by Complex Collective in partnership with The Koffler Centre of the Arts. Playing as part of the SummerWorks Festival, this piece had some neat elements and interesting concepts.  Unfortunately, they didn’t always hit the mark.

It’s difficult to tackle a show that deals with stereotyping, mental illness, poverty or class issues. It’s even more difficult to perform a work that includes all of those things, as this one does. Though the story itself is quite compelling, I felt the issues weren’t always treated with the sensitivity and tact they require.

Continue reading Complex (Complex Collective) 2014 SummerWorks Review

Chicken Grease is Nasty Business – 2014 SummerWorks Review

Chicken Grease

I joined a highly energetic crowd at Theatre Passe Muraille on Friday night for the opening of Chicken Grease is Nasty Business.  Playing now as part of the 2014 SummerWorks Festival, this show is great for anyone who wants a night out without the kids (the humour is definitely adult, so leave them at home for this one) and likes their shows the way that some people might like their chicken – extra saucy. Continue reading Chicken Grease is Nasty Business – 2014 SummerWorks Review

And Now, The End (ANTE up Productions) 2014 SummerWorks Review

And Now, The End

And Now, The End, presented by ANTE up Productions, opened on Thursday as part of this year’s SummerWorks Festival.  This new musical has a powerhouse cast and is worth adding to your list of must-see shows during SummerWorks. If the opening night audience was any indication, the show is going to sell well, and it’s definitely going to get people talking. Continue reading And Now, The End (ANTE up Productions) 2014 SummerWorks Review