All posts by George Perry

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.

Review: Bethune Imagined (Factory Theatre)

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Toronto’s Factory Theatre offers an intoxicating glimpse  into the private life of an icon

By George Perry

Sascha Cole and Ron White as Margaret Day and Norman Bethune

Ken Gass, Artistic Director for Factory Theatre, must be pleased with the dividends that Bethune Imagined is paying.   He wrote and directed this extraordinary play.  Certainly Gass is a Toronto Theatre icon as much as Norman Bethune is a communist icon.  Catch a glimpse of genius at Factory while you have the chance.

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Review: Lenin’s Embalmers (Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company)

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by George Perry

Toronto’s Al Green Theatre serves up a Bolshevik on the rocks, with lots of twists

Lenin's Embalmers

Vladimir Lenin’s body is on display at Red Square in Moscow.  Lenin’s Embalmers, meanwhile, is on display at The Al Green Theatre in Toronto.  We have The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company to thank for bringing this play to Spadina and Bloor.

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Review: Revelations (Agawa Saphire Productions)

by George Perry

Amy Slattery, Sarah Cunningham, Kate Stephen, David Ndaba, Jason Morneau and Colin Murphy 

Armageddon on The Danforth – It Must Be Halloween in Toronto!

Revelations is currently on stage at Toronto’s Bad Dog Theatre. Billed as a play about “sex, violence and therapy”, it delivers all that and more. It was created and performed by talented and passionate artists. Revelations is really two shows in one, and together they are one great night out!

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Review: Blood (Doghouse Riley Productions)

Sandy Duarte and Stephen Chambers

At-Risk Toronto ‘hood gets an injection of culture

Blood is currently being mounted by Doghouse Riley Productions at Somewhere There, a small Toronto venue.  It is an interesting site, to say the least.  Finding it is a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  It is located near Bloor and Landsdowne, an intersection with a lot of “personality”.

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Review: Through The Leaves (The Company Theatre)

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Maria Vacratsis (Martha) and Nicholas Campbell (Otto)

Through the Leaves is currently playing at the perfect location: Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre.   I attended the play with Vishnu, a “local”.  He informed me that the area is somewhat affectionately referred to as “The Annex Slums”.   The play is the story about a female butcher and her relationship with an old-school “man’s man”.

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