The short version, just in case you’re not up to speed on this, is that Mirvish is going to buy the Canon and Panasonic theatres, and DanCap really hates the idea. Hates the idea so much in fact, that they’re taking Mirvish and the company that currently owns the buildings to court.

But I really do want to say that I think this is quite funny to watch. I know that’s probably impolitic, and that I should be coming down on one side of the fence or another on this issue, but the truth is, I kinda don’t care.

I don’t buy the argument that this will suddenly make Mirvish a monopoly in Toronto theatre. DanCap will still be able to exist, there are other venues, and other opportunities to convert venues. They’ll find a way. On the other hand, I can see how it feels like a bit of a raw deal for DanCap.

Mostly though I just think it’s all silly. To me this is a perfect opportunity for the two entities to find some kind of synergy, to leverage off of each other, to take advantage of the fact that both draw theatre-lovers and the more the merrier. But, I also freely admit that I am probably being completely naive to believe that’s possible.

Bottom line for me is that I kind of don’t care. I enjoy the shows from these big theatres, I really do. I like a good toe-tapping musical as much as the next gal, but when it comes down to it, the theatre I care about is the theatre being put on by places like Theatre Passe Muraille, or Factory, or Tarragon, or Buddies, or… well, you get the point.

So, although I will, without a doubt, follow this avidly the way some people follow soap operas, I kind of don’t care about the outcome. Basically it’s just entertainment for me at this point. I wonder if that makes me a bad theatre person…