Unconventional family tale graces Toronto stages… along with Elvis references

Joan MacLeod’s Toronto, Mississippi, presented by Panfish Productions at The Box Theatre, is a show about an unconventional family that revolves around Jhana (Kayla Whelan), an 18-year-old woman whose developmental delay has stuck her in the uneasy space between independent adult desire and a dependent perpetual childhood. It’s a complex and intriguing show that—like its lead character—is both lovable and frustrating, and could use a little more experience.

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Meta-production Late Night tackles entertainment industry discrimination on Toronto stages

Kat Sandler’s Late Night began life as the winner of the 2014 Toronto Fringe 24-hour playwriting contest. It’s been given a site-specific production by Theatre Brouhaha at the Zoomer Live Theatre and TV studio, decked out as New York’s Early Late Night talk show, where Marty O’Malley (Alon Nashman) is about to give his final performance of 22 years. Hitting 60, he’s been gently pushed out by the producers in favour of a Millennial, Sarah Goldberg (Kat Letwin), his one-time intern and now a successful edgy-raunchy comic in the vein of Sarah Silverman and Amy Schumer.

With things already resting on a knife edge of tension, a live-broadcast Freudian slip throws things into utter upheaval. The transition proves to be anything but smooth over the course of the evening, which proves extremely topical in its exploration of ageism, sexism, racism, and homophobia in the entertainment world and the intersectionality between them. It’s also sharply observed, brilliantly performed, funny as hell, and it would be nonsensical to miss it.

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Antigonas, now on the Toronto stage, is “a vital declaration”

A few days ago, in a stunning, whisper-close and unexpected defeat, the population of Colombia voted down a referendum that may have seen peace with the insurgent FARC, a conflict with the Colombian government which has resulted in millions of deaths. Each of the women performing in Antigonas: Tribunal de Mujeres from Tramaluna Theatro, presented as the opener to this year’s third edition of the RUTAS panamericanas International Performing Arts Festival at the Daniels Spectrum Artscape, has experienced more than her fair share of death.

Their sons, siblings, fathers, entire families and friends have been falsely accused, imprisoned, and murdered by their own government. The play they produce for us takes the form of a trial, and is a gripping cri de coeur that honestly defies criticism, but results in a stunningly effective plea for peace. Continue reading Review: Antigonas Tribunal De Mujeres (Tramaluna Theatro) →

Raw Matter and Filament Incubator bring lofty feminist goals to the stage in Toronto’s Kensington Market

Hot Kitchen/SECOND SHIFT by Raw Matter and presented by Filament Incubator, is a devised work of theatre, on stage at Kensington Hall. It’s a mashup of works by Jean Genet, Sylvia Plath and Silvia Federici that has something to say about feminism, housewifery, and the choices that women make (or have forced upon them).

It is visually inventive, often charming, and features at least one stand-out performance. However, its aggressively didactic nature and its period piece trappings cause it to fall just short of its lofty goals of current relevance and rawness.

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Sean Casey’s Famous Irish Drama Returns to Toronto Stages After 26 Years

A century ago, the 1916 Easter Rising threatened to tear Ireland apart. Six violent days became the culmination of years of rage and mistrust of the seemingly indifferent British government – and the growing desire for a free and independent Ireland that perhaps began to ignite with the Great Famine. After a 26-year absence from Canada, the national theatre of Ireland, Abbey Theatre, brings The Plough and The Stars, Sean O’Casey’s famous historical drama about the Rising, to Canadian Stage for five performances.

Though the theatre was also the 1926 play’s first home, there’s nothing that feels historical or preserved about this production. The aggressively contemporary staging is a near-complete success, crackling with electricity and a current, vital relevance.

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