Five Shows Under $25 in Toronto this Week

This is a rich week for theatre, and particularly theatre that’s accessible and affordable. We’ve narrowed down plenty of promising shows to a few, centred around the theme of conflict and aggression. From murders to war to creepy games, all these shows have caught our eye for their compelling conflicts and reasonable price-tags.

What I Learned From a Decade of Fear, by Beatriz Pizano, Lyon Smith and Trevor Schwellnus (Progress Festival/Aluna Theatre). A ritual to atone for repression, war and paranoia becomes a eulogy for the human costs of collective safety. Opens Jan 21 and runs to Jan 24, Thu-Sat 10 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.

El Refugio de Freidel | The Refuge of Freidel by Liliana Suárez Henao and Beatriz Pizano (Progress Festival/Aluna Theatre/the Freidel Collective). A theatre artist describes her journey from Colombia to Canada after her husband was assassinated for making political art. Opens Jan 20 and runs to Jan 23, Wed-Fri 7 pm, Sat 3:30 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.

Rope by Patrick Hamilton (Trinity College Dramatic Society). Two young men murder a classmate just for the thrill in this 1929 play based on true events. Opens Jan 20 and runs to Jan 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Show Info.

Slip (Circlesnake Productions). A detective tries to solve a mysterious death while struggling to hold on to her fading memory. Previews Jan 21, opens Jan 22 and runs to Feb 7, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $20, Sun mat $10 or pwyc. Show Info.

The Deadly Game, adapted by James Yaffe from a novella by Friedrich Dürrenmatt (Stage Centre Productions). Retired judges and lawyers play a creepy game with a salesman seeking refuge in a snowstorm. Opens Jan 21 and runs to Jan 30, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Jan 24 & 30 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. Show Info.