Stakes aren’t high enough in this modern take of Hansel and Gretel
I was curious as to how setting Hansel and Gretel set in 21st century Toronto, as opposed to the forests of 19th century Bavaria, would change the well-known Grimm brothers fairytale. The themes concerning food insecurity and parents struggling with poverty and addiction are certainly as timely here and now as they have always been.
Directing for Canadian Opera Company, Joel Ivany interprets the story with his signature outside-the-box creativity and makes impressive use of projection to create sets. However, in the interest of making the story more relatable to modern audiences, some of the dramatic tension that has made the fable compelling for centuries is sacrificed. Continue reading Review: Hansel and Gretel (Canadian Opera Company)→
Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of February 17, 2020
The last couple of weeks have been pretty gray and overcast. And if you’re like me you’ve probably been struggling a bit with the February blahs. I haven’t had much motivation to get to work on my big stack ‘To Do’s’ that I know I’ve mentioned before. The list that I know you all have too! Family Day weekend was a great break from the usual routine, and shook out the cobwebs (the sunshine helped too!) We even got out to see some theatre – although with so many great options right now it was hard to choose what to go see.
Even though the weekend is over with, you can still pop out to see a show and shake up the routine and get rid of those February blahs! This week it’s up to Megan to let you know what has caught her eye and has her excited about heading out to the theatre. Take a look through the listings below to check out her picks highlighted in ‘red’. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed!
This should not be taken as an indictment of the work, which I found thoroughly nourishing and quite delicious to participate in. Rather, because How I Learned To Serve Tea seems to me far more an Idea than a Performance.
It feels underserved by a traditional review, and so I will instead offer what seems potentially useful: my experience and reflections.
New Play Takes on Important Issues But Doesn’t Quite Hit The Mark
This Was the World, a new play by Ellie Moon on stage now at Tarragon Theatre, addresses issues of status, colonialism, and loss on an Ontario law school campus.
Strong performance and script make Grounded an engaging evening of theatre
George Brant’s play Grounded opened at Streetcar Crowsnest on Friday, February 14. The play is a solo piece, a monologue delivered by an unnamed US fighter pilot — a woman. Being a pilot is her life; she has a closer relationship with her plane than she does with any person.
New performance leaves our reviewer “full of questions in the best and most interesting way.”
Strong performance and script make Grounded an engaging evening of theatre