All posts by Keira Grant

Review: Iphigenia in Tauris (Canadian Opera Company)

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The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Iphigenia in Tauris by Christoph Gluck was a bold experiment in the use of minimalism in opera. I say bold because most seasoned opera-goers are more accustomed to over-the-top rather than understated. The curtains come up on a completely black stage, the only contrast added by black-clad dancers writing the names of the members of the House of Atreus on the wall in white chalk.

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Review: Machina Nuptialis (CORPUS)

There is no such thing as “the audience” in Machina Nuptialis (Corpus). The dancers are the wedding party and we are the wedding guests. If you are terribly bashful and would balk at being invited to dance or provide a light to a man wearing only white boxer briefs, this show is not for you. However, if you are like me and love the opportunity to ham it up with the officially retained performers and also enjoy scantily clad men, you will be in your element and have a great time. Continue reading Review: Machina Nuptialis (CORPUS) →

Review: White Biting Dog (Soulpepper Theatre Company)

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Written in 1984, White Biting Dog is a psychologically complex modern day classic. Canadian Playwright Judith Thompson cunningly reels us into a world of social travesty and irreconcilable emptiness. Based on the comments we heard behind us from certain ladies of a certain age, I don’t think this show is appropriate for sensitive audiences. Continue reading Review: White Biting Dog (Soulpepper Theatre Company) →

The Particulars and in General (Pyretic Productions) 2011 SummerWorks Review

The Particulars and in General opened with a pipe organ recording of the hymn “God Who Fills All Life with Goodness”, often sung during morning prayers at my Anglican high school. It closed with a recording of Pygmy yodeling. The play is comprised of two monologues back-to-back, telling the stories of lives weaving around one another but never connecting.

At first, the second monologue appeared a total non sequitur to the first. The connection was soon revealed however, to quite humorous effect.

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