By Megan Mooney

Hard to know what to expect from a show that is billed as a dub aria.  What you get with Obsidian Theatre‘s who knew grannie, now playing at Factory Theatre, is a night filled with beauty.  The characters (and actors) were beautiful, the language was beautiful, the drumming was beautiful, and the signing was, well, something more than beautiful.  Spectacular?  The singing was spectacular.

You may have guessed by now that I loved who knew grannie.  Sam (aka mum) was my show partner for this one, and she also loved the piece.  The only caveat would be that there’s a reasonable chance you’ll cry at some point in the production.  That said, Sam was quick to point out that, although she spent a reasonable amount of time crying, she didn’t feel beaten up at the end.  It was a perfect description.

So often shows that involve a whack of crying on my part just knock the wind out of me.  I walk out of the theatre glad I had gone, appreciating the work, but also feeling completely spent.  I did my share of weeping at who knew grannie, but at the end I felt excited and exhilarated.

Continue reading Review: who knew grannie: a dub aria – Obsidian Theatre company in association with Factory Theatre →

by Megan Mooney

On Tuesday March 9, 2010, at the Supermarket in Kensington Market you have the opportunity to see two one-man shows for $10.  Basically you’re getting two-for-one.  And the one is very reasonably priced…

The two shows are:  Nile Seguin’s Fear of a Brown Planet and Gavin Stephens’ Spectacular! Spectacular! and the event is being put together by Nerdgasm Comedy

Continue reading Go see Attack of the One Man Shows on Tuesday! (one night only! Act now! Other infomercial type phrases!) →

By Megan Mooney

I know this sounds odd, but often I try and read as little as possible about a show before I go.  I like to go without expectations.  Sometimes that means that the beginning of a show is a bit of a shock.  Sulong Theatre Collective’s Future Folk playing at Theatre Passe Muraille was one of those shows.

Continue reading Future Folk – Sulong Theatre Collective at Theatre Passe Muraille →

By Megan Mooney

I saw Intimate Apparel when Obsidian Theatre Company first produced it in 2008, and I loved it.  I saw Intimate Apparel when Canadian Stage Company and Obsidian Theatre Company produced it together this year, and I still loved it.

It’s a lovely play with an engaging story, excellent actors, great direction and a beautiful set.  What’s not to like?

My show partner for this one, Leanne (who also happens to be Mooney on Theatre’s new assistant editor, yay Leanne!), also really enjoyed the show.  She told me she found the first act a tiny bit slow, and I can see that.  The piece seemed to drag a wee bit until the first scene between Esther (Raven Dauda) and Mayme (Lisa Berry).  The energy between the two of them was electric, and for me, the show soared from that point on.  When I thought back to it, I remembered feeling the same way when I first saw the show.

Continue reading Intimate Apparel – Canadian Stage Company →