Canadian Opera Company presents a dramatic, compelling take on Ariodonte in Toronto
In the Canadian Opera Company’s premiere production of Ariodonte, by G.F. Handel, a holy-roller revival comes to town. The revival comes in the form of the sadistic, misogynistic, creeper preacher Polinesso. During the elegant, highly evocative overture, Polinesso pontificates to a rapt audience of villagers on the perils of seductive women of loose virtue. It soon becomes apparent that the true peril is him. Continue reading Review: Ariodonte (Canadian Opera Company)→
The latest production by Obsidian Theatre in Toronto fails to impress
Obsidian Theatre is currently producing “Master Harold”…and the Boys by Athol Fugard. “Master Harold” is a white, South African teenager. “The Boys” are two Black South African servants to his household, who have cared for him since birth. Master Harold comes to the café, owned by his family, where “The Boys” now work.
On the surface, the relationship between Master Harold (affectionately called Hally), and Sam and Willie (“The Boys”) is sincere and affectionate. Sam in particular sees himself as Hally’s mentor, a substitute for his drunken, chronically-ill, absentee father. The hatred and contempt that are the inevitable consequence of systemic racial oppression are ultimately exposed. Continue reading Review: “Master Harold”…and the Boys (Obsidian Theatre Company)→
National Ballet of Canada and Art Gallery of Ontario collaborate on a fusion of dance and art
The Dreamers Ever Leave You is a contemporary ballet performed by dancers from the National Ballet of Canada. Choreographed by Robert Binet, the work premiered on August 31 as an accompaniment to the Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO) current special exhibit of Lawren Harris paintings, The Idea of the North. In keeping with with the environment of the Signy Eaton Gallery at AGO, the piece is akin to a dance installation. Dancers perform on three mats and audience members are invited to move throughout the space. Continue reading Review: The Dreamers Ever Leave You (National Ballet of Canada/Art Gallery of Ontario)→
The 17th annual Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy takes place Labour Day Weekend at Woodbine Park. Proceeds support Epilepsy Toronto, an organization that represents the approximately 4000 people in Toronto living with epilepsy. I did know this, but 1 in 100 people has epilepsy.
The festival features a superb musical lineup, including Juno award-winner Adam Solomon. Music is only a fraction of the attractions the festival has to offer. Acrobats, clowns, midway rides, stilt walkers, flaming hula hoops, and mimes will all play a part in the weekends delights. The festival will also include a car show for the first time this year.
Pressgang Theatre is remounting Life Records, a one-woman-show by Rhiannon Archer from the 2015 Fringe Festival. Archer uses songs that are entwined with personal memories to explore her life experiences. The show is both comedic and confessional, with a mix of lighthearted and horrifying stories.
The latest production by Obsidian Theatre in Toronto fails to impress
National Ballet of Canada and Art Gallery of Ontario collaborate on a fusion of dance and art
The 17th annual 
Pressgang Theatre