George has always been passionate about theatre, but didn’t know it. As a young boy he was mesmerized by professional wrestling. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was an early role model. Shortly thereafter, the explosive histrionics of Pete Townshend would supersede this Canadian icon. George’s attention later turned to American theatre. Jello Biafra became a seminal influence. The “Do It Yourself” ethic was firmly embraced by Perry, and he ventured into the vast repetoire of artists like Paul Westerberg and Steve Albini. As a young adult, he was re-introduced to the works of Townshend. His then girlfriend, Michelle, was hugely impressed by the theatrical production of The Who’s “Tommy”. He meandered through factories, schools, border towns and Michigan for a very long time afterwards. He eventually landed in Toronto. All these influences were brought together in one kettle when George discovered Mooney on Theatre. He understands and personifies that theatre is indeed for everyone. To further this end goal, he contributes.
Toronto’s Artichoke Heart Collective’s We Walk Among You is a disturbing, thought-provoking puppet show
Imagine trying to answer a question such as “what makes a monster?” without using printed or spoken words. That’s what We Walk Among You, now on stage at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre Extraspace, tries to do. And in the hands of Artichoke Heart Collective, audience members receive a mind-blowing answer.
Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents Lois Fine’s play Freda and Jem’s Best of the Week
If I told you that Judith Thompson was directing a play written by queer activist Lois Fine and it was being staged at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, you’d likely think I just woke up from a wet dream. Either that or I was trying to explain a Beatles song. But no, it’s reality, and it is a play currently on stage in Toronto. Oh yeah, it’s called Freda and Jem’s Best of the Week.
Aerial silks and music transform Toronto’s Annex Theatre into a spiritual other realm for Cycle of a Sari
To witness Cycle of a Sari is to be transported to another real, another dimension, another spirituality. Onstage at Toronto’s Annex Theatre, this workshop production is a feast for the senses. It’s an examination of the threads, streams and cycles that run through whatever this thing called “life” is.
The Annex Theatre on Bathurst Street is beautiful and the perfect place to mount Cycle of a Sari. It is a small, 150 year old performance space that used to serve as a church. With wooden staircases on either side of the stage and stained glass windows, this venue oozes history and potential. The Cycle Collective takes full advantage of the space and are rewarded with sold out shows.
A modern take on two classic operas make up Love in the Age of Autocorrect in Toronto’s Atelier Rosemarie Umetsu
I arrived early at Atelier Rosemarie Umetsu at Davenport and Avenue Road in Toronto after a remarkably easy commute from Scarborough. Being a bum, I looked around for dive bars for a cheap pint. FAIL. Out of my natural habitat, but loving it, I was excited to see Loose TEA Music | Theatre’s Love in the Age of Autocorrect.
Constance, my companion for the evening, showed up late. I grilled her in the dark, humid Yorkville air: “So what the hell is an atelier, anyway?”
She said that it is a term that denotes craftsmanship, attention to detail, something special. It means “Come inside. Let’s build something special together.”
Love and Human Remains is dark, scandalous, and scintillating, playing at Unit 102 Theatre in Toronto
Dark, dense and more delicious than a 7-layer black forest cake, Love & Human Remains is now onstage at Unit 102 Theatre in Toronto. An amazing collective of artists known as Witchboy Theatre came together to mount this acclaimed play. Written by Canadian Brad Fraser, Love & Human Remains was named one of the top 10 plays of the year by TIME magazine when it debuted in 1989. Missing this particular production would be like missing a weekend at the cottage after a 10-month long Edmonton winter. Continue reading Review: Love & Human Remains (Witchboy Theatre)→
To witness 
I arrived early at 