George has always been passionate about theatre, but didn’t know it. As a young boy he was mesmerized by professional wrestling. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was an early role model. Shortly thereafter, the explosive histrionics of Pete Townshend would supersede this Canadian icon. George’s attention later turned to American theatre. Jello Biafra became a seminal influence. The “Do It Yourself” ethic was firmly embraced by Perry, and he ventured into the vast repetoire of artists like Paul Westerberg and Steve Albini. As a young adult, he was re-introduced to the works of Townshend. His then girlfriend, Michelle, was hugely impressed by the theatrical production of The Who’s “Tommy”. He meandered through factories, schools, border towns and Michigan for a very long time afterwards. He eventually landed in Toronto. All these influences were brought together in one kettle when George discovered Mooney on Theatre. He understands and personifies that theatre is indeed for everyone. To further this end goal, he contributes.
Thoughtful play Out The Window strikes a chord, raises hope
Liza Balkan watched a man die during an altercation with Toronto police in August 2000. His name was Otto Vass. At The Theatre Centre, she retells that six minute confrontation and the years that followed. After seeing her groundbreaking work Out The Window, I feel like I was a witness as well.
Balkan has spent the last dozen years creating a living work of art she calls “part play and part public forum”. I would call it more than a play and less than a play. She introduces Out The Window as only a great educator can, inviting us into a new world, making us curious and involved. In that way it is more than a play.
Seeds is a play about who controls just that, seeds. Since making booze is all about seed manipulation, could there be a more perfect place than The Distillery District for such a play?
UC Follies and Tommy discover “miracle cure” for winter blahs!
If David Letterman were to see The UC Follies’ version of The Who’s Tommy, he’d leave Hart House Theatre and shout up and down the streets of Toronto. “That’s it! That’s the way to blow the roof off the dump!”
At first I was furious to learn that on December 13, 1937, the Japanese military captured the Chinese city of Nanking. They killed 300,000 people and raped tens of thousands of girls and women. I was also ashamed that I hadn’t heard of The Rape of Nanking before.
