Five For Twenty (or Less)
This week’s theme for our cheap theatre post is steeped in history. There are five great shows, most of them well under $20, that have a historical connection. There is a show about an 1845 Arctic expedition; another about a city’s arson epidemic originally written in 1953; a 1820s community trying to reach an utopian ideal; a play that is an adaptation from Japanese Roshomon tales and finally there’s a show that’s a combination of eight spooky tales from Ancient Greece and modern times. So grab a partner and plan a fun and cheap night out at the theatre!
DITCH by Geoff Kavanagh (Sometimes Y Theatre). Two shipmates on an 1845 Arctic expedition must confront their mortality after their ship is trapped in ice. Previews Nov 2. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $10-$20, Sun pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, sometimesytheatre.com.
FIRERAISERS by Max Frisch (the red light district). Frisch’s play about fear and mistrust during a city’s arson epidemic is given a modern update. Opens Nov 2 and runs to Nov 19, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas E. theredlightdistrict.ca.
HENRI FABERGÉ’S HELIGOLAND FOLLIES (Stages). This monthly six-part performance series features music, comedy, film and narrative theatre about an 1820s community trying to reach a utopian ideal. Oct 6 at 9 pm. Nov 3 at 9 pm. Dec 1 at 9 pm. Jan 12 at 9 pm. Feb 2 at 9 pm. Mar 1 at 9 pm. Free. Hart House, Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. harthouse.utoronto.ca/arts/stages/henri.
IN THE PINES by Akutagawa Ryunosuke, adapted by the Company (Red One Theatre Collective/Yabu no Naka Co-op). Adapted from Japanese Roshomon tales, this story of love, honour and betrayal takes the audience back in time through the historic house. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Oct 31, Wed-Mon 7 and 9 pm. $20. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. redonetheatre.com.
THE DARK ROOM by SR Krieger (Socratic Theatre Collective). Eight tales of ghosts and spirits from ancient Greece to modern times are presented. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 13, Tue-Fri 8 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15, stu/srs $10, Tue-Wed pwyc. Unit 102 Studio, 376 Dufferin. socratictheatre.com.