So, it’s hard to say what you would know Gordon Pinsent best for, considering he’s done pretty much everything, including becoming an Officer, and then a Champion of The Order of Canada. Which is only right, because he’s always kind of seemed like the quintessential Canadian actor (and director, and writer).
Well, on September 25th Pinsent is set to receive yet another accolade…
Continue reading Gordon Pinsent – A Canadian legend honoured by The Company Theatre
Suicide is a pretty heavy topic. Not one you expect to laugh while exploring, but with the Theatre Smash production of Norway.Today makes you do just that. This show, inspired by true events, explores two people desire to die, but not alone, but it does it with a sense of humour and humanity that make it enjoyable to watch.
My show-partner for this was Elaine, who commented that she always gets to go to shows she’d never think to go to when she goes to the theatre with me. We both agreed that it was a good show overall. I was pretty concerned that it was going to be a teen-angst oh-so-painful kind of show – hard not to be worried about that when the topic is suicide – but like I said, the show is full of irreverent moments that add to the story.
In the world of, the more things change, the more they stay the same, check out this article by Richard Ouzounian that was published in the Toronto Star in 2004 (The Star doesn’t have articles older than 4 years old online, but this is reprinted with Richard’s permission) It’s a bit depressing how relevant this article is four and a half years later.
Continue reading Diversity in Theatre Part 2 – a related article by Richard Ouzounian from 2004
By Megan Mooney
Today I learned something new that has got my mind kind of reeling. Richard Ouzounian had a write-up on Philip Akin in today’s Toronto Star. The write up had one part that left me agog. To my horror I read the following paragraph:
Akin is a considerable figure on the Canadian theatre scene, a respected actor and director, one of whose most impressive credits is actually a little embarrassing: in 2007, he was the first black Canadian to play the title role in Othello at the Stratford Festival, something that took 55 seasons to happen.
So, wait a minute…
Continue reading Diversity in theatre – It sure is white-bred around here
It was pretty sad, and surprising, to wake up to the news of Richard Monette’s death at age 64.
It’s always hard when people die really suddenly. I mean, hard for those left behind, because there was no time to spare, I imagine it’s the best way to die though.
Richard Monette was a pretty amazing guy. I never met the man, but I remember hearing about the things he did at Stratford and being impressed. Don’t get me wrong…
Continue reading Richard Monette gone to that big theatre in the sky