All posts by Dorianne Emmerton

Dorianne is a graduate of the Theatre and Drama Studies joint program between University of Toronto, Erindale campus and Sheridan College. She writes short stories, plays and screenplays and was delighted to be accepted into the 2010 Diaspora Dialogues program and also to have her short story accepted into the 2011 edition of TOK: Writing The New Toronto collection. She is also a regularly contributing writer on http://www.sexlifecanada.ca. You can follow her on twitter @headonist if you like tweets about cats, sex, food, queer stuff and lefty politics.

Review: The Public Servant (Common Boots Theatre and Nightwood Theatre)

The Public Servant brings comedic light to life in the public sector, on stage in Toronto

The Public Servant, a co-production between Common Boots Theatre and Nightwood Theatre, follows the career trajectory of Madge, a patriotic Canadian enthused (at first) about devoting her life to the Government of Canada. She is beset by colourful characters and bureaucratic obstacles that are all too familiar, and funny,  for those of us making our living in such service. Continue reading Review: The Public Servant (Common Boots Theatre and Nightwood Theatre) →

Review: The Just (Soulpepper)

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Just. Soulpepper Soulpepper brings pointedly “relevant” play to the Toronto stage

Set in the Russian Revolution of 1905 and based on a true story, The Just (currently onstage at Soulpepper) tracks the actions of a group of Socialist-Revolutionaries as they undertake the assassination of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. It questions idealism and political dogma while also humanizing the people who commit acts of terrorism. In today’s current global situation, with the endlessly complex conflict in Syria, it’s the right time for this production. Continue reading Review: The Just (Soulpepper) →

Review (Kid Plus One): Goodnight Moon (Young People’s Theatre)

16.02_YPT_GoodnightMoon-325-Edit-w-credit-1024x634Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre presents a dazzling stage adaptation of Goodnight Moon

Young People’s Theatre has imported this delightful production of Goodnight Moon by Seattle Children’s Theatre, based on the classic picture book where a bunny says “goodnight” in rhyming verse to all the objects in his green-walled bedroom. I was curious to see how they’d make a play out of a  book with no narrative, and was pleased with their innovation: each object becomes a living thing with its own story. This involved a lot of stage mechanics to make clocks, lamps, etc. seem to move of their own accord,  thrilling the young audience. Continue reading Review (Kid Plus One): Goodnight Moon (Young People’s Theatre) →

Review: Espoir/Espwa (Théâtre français de Toronto)

Photo of Espoir/Espwa

Celebrating Black History Month, Théâtre français brings Espoir/Espwa to the Toronto stage

In Espoir/Espwa, produced for Black History Month by Théâtre français de Toronto, three women explore their different connections to Haiti along the spectrum of diaspora: Nadège was born in Canada but feels the loss of the land she’s never known, treasuring a jar of earth from Haiti given to her by her grandmother; Céleste has been away for 20 years and now returned, her Canadianization interfering with her ability to re-integrate to the culture; and Man Sara gives advice, tells stories, and otherwise administers to her community from her “boutique” shop in a Haitian village, having never left her country.

The story was created by the three performers, Edwige Jean-Pierre, Djennie Laguerre and Carline Zamar, and it’s a cheerful show that includes live music and dancing. The title is the word for “Hope” in both French and Creole, and positivity is embedded throughout.

Continue reading Review: Espoir/Espwa (Théâtre français de Toronto) →

Review: Songbuster: An Improvised Musical (Bad Dog Theatre)

songbuster1Improvised musical comedy charms on stage in Toronto

Songbuster: An Improvised Musical , currently onstage at Bad Dog Theatre, features a multi-talented troupe of people singing while improvising, and improvising while singing, based on suggestions solicited at the top of the show. I generally expect musical improv to be sketch-oriented, but these folks set themselves the challenging task of creating a full narrative inspired by their interrogation of an audience member. Continue reading Review: Songbuster: An Improvised Musical (Bad Dog Theatre) →