All posts by Istvan Dugalin

Apart from his (pathological?) obsession with airplane disasters, Istvan is a filmmaker and film enthusiast, but began his creative adventures in theatre. Starting out as an actor, he soon discovered a preference for life behind-the-scenes. He has experience in lighting design, stage management and production management, but his passion is writing and directing. With several short films and an indie feature under his belt, film has been his focus in recent years, but theatre has been calling him back. You see more of his critical writing at his film reflection blog: http://captiveviscera.wordpress.com/

The Homemaker (Convection Productions) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

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My evening out at the Toronto Fringe Festival was characterized by an overwhelming nostalgia.  Walking into the Annex Theatre for the first time in 18 years, I was instantly transported back to 1995, when I performed in two plays there.  I have a great fondness for the intimate venue, which is full of warmth and history, a perfect setting for Laura Anne Harris’ hilarious and heartbreaking one-woman show—The Homemaker.

Continue reading The Homemaker (Convection Productions) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

A Glance At Chinese Performing Arts (Chi-Ping Dance Group & Chinese Collective Arts Association) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

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I must confess that I simply do not “get” dance, and so am not the ideal audience for this show.  When I sat down to write this review of A Glance At Chinese Performing Arts by the Chi-Ping Dance Group & Chinese Collective Arts Association which is playing at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace, I wasn’t exactly sure what to tell you about it. And so, it is with the utmost humility that I tell you anything at all.

If you’re considering this show as part of your Toronto Fringe experience, you’re likely interested in dance, Chinese culture or both.  In which case, you’re sure to get something of value out of the experience. Continue reading A Glance At Chinese Performing Arts (Chi-Ping Dance Group & Chinese Collective Arts Association) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

Tomes (Secretly Illiterate Theatre) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

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Tomes is like a party game for theatre people.  The Rules: 1. Select a cheesy fantasy paperback at random.  2. Read only the back cover.  3. Act out a made-up-on-the-spot version of the plot.  If you show up at St. Vladimir’s Theatre to see Secretly Illiterate Theatre’s Toronto Fringe show, that’s exactly what you’re in for. Continue reading Tomes (Secretly Illiterate Theatre) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

Fort Isabel (Blood Orange Theatre and Deviant Productions) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

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Fort Isabel, presented by Blood Orange Theatre & Deviant Productions at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace is haunting and sincere.

The venue itself creates a very specific dynamic between audience and performer. It is narrow and high.  No matter where you are sitting, you are essentially looking down on whatever is happening and whomever it’s happening to.  In such a position, characters always seem trapped and scrutinized.  This is entirely appropriate in the context of this particular story. Continue reading Fort Isabel (Blood Orange Theatre and Deviant Productions) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

The Secret Life of Walter Manny (Trent Arterberry) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

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The Secret Life of Walter Manny is playing at the Palmerston Library and is part of FringeKids!  This is the second exceptional kids show I’ve seen at Toronto Fringe this year.  Trent Arterberry’s one-man show is a fast-paced and high-energy adventure which both parents and their children will find fun and poignant.

The story is about the Walter Manny of the title, and the many adventures he has in his own mind—thanks to his very active and vivid imagination.  The show is about imagination—how much fun it is, and how it can sometimes get us into trouble. Continue reading The Secret Life of Walter Manny (Trent Arterberry) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review