Maybe it’s the fact that the clocks have changed, and it’s already dark by 5:30pm. Maybe it’s a bit of leftover Halloween sentiment. Maybe it’s just a coincidence! But several of the shows playing in Toronto this week focus on darker subjects – ghosts, greed, the end of the world… One bright point is the fact that they’re all $25 or less per ticket – and this week’s Cheap Theatre actually includes a Mirvish show and two Soulpepper shows! So brave the newly dark evening and go see some Cheap Theatre!
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard (Mirvish/Shaw Festival). The past and present collide when scholars living in an English country house learn about the people who lived there in 1809. Previews Nov 4-8. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 14, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $25-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Avaricious (Theatre Gargantua). First installment of a collectively created work-in-progress that explores greed, hope and humanity at the end of the world. Nov 7-8, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm. $20. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, theatregargantua.ca.
Burlesque Beyond Thunderdome (Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque). Tanya Cheex, Ginger Darling, DollyBerlin and others perform in a post-apocalyptic circus. Nov 7 at 9:30 pm. $25-$40. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W. burlesquebeyondthunderdome.eventbrite.ca.
The Four Horsemen Project by Kate Alton and Ross Manson (Volcano Theatre/Crooked Figure Dances/Global Mechanic). The poetry of Rafael Barreto-Rivera, bpNichel, Paul Dutton and Steve McCaffery is adapted into a dance-theatre production. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 22, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $25-$49. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Spoon River adapted by Mike Ross and Albert Schultz (Soulpepper Theatre). A forgotten town comes back to life in this show inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection. Previews Oct 29-Nov 3. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 15, see website for schedule. $23-$89. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Listings based on NOW! stage listings.