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.
The music and theatrics of Bollywood enlivens Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille in Same Same But Different
Same Same But Different, now onstage at Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille, is two plays in one. Both acts are capable of standing alone as completed works, and have done so to acclaim in the past. With timeless themes forming a shared backbone, this fine night of theatre shows us both sides of the same rupee.
Two prisoners explore faith and morality in Jesus Hopped the A Train playing at Toronto’s Unit 102 Theatre
Do you like emotionally charged prison scenes? How about authentic street dialogue and thoughtful debates about faith, religion and mortality? Then head over to Unit 102 Theatre at Queen and Dufferin in Toronto to see Jesus Hopped The ‘A’ Train. This play is refreshing food for thought, has phenomenal acting and is particularly well-written.
Written by acclaimed playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis, Jesus Hopped The ‘A’ Train includes all those elements. Mounted by Unit 102 Theatre, this play also has riveting acting and a harsh, cold “in your face” staging and lighting that make for an excellent night of theatre. The boldness works well, as the play mostly takes place within a prison. Continue reading Review: Jesus Hopped The A Train (Unit 102 Theatre)→
Belleville-Ville is your monthly dose of hilarious cabaret improv at Toronto’s Monarch Tavern
If you’ve ever been in New York City and have been lucky enough to be taken into an out of the way bar by locals, only to have the time of your life, you might have an idea of what to expect from Bellville-Ville. It’s a cabaret-style improv show that happens on the first Thursday of every month, in a gem of a bar called The Monarch Tavern.
Belleville-Ville is an improvised soap opera with a cast of over a dozen. Actors remain as one character throughout the evening and each performance has a theme. The characters will remind you of people from your past, and probably from your present day life. The improv show takes place in a fictional small town that anyone can identify with regardless of where they grew up
Repetitive Strain Injury, a story about a young couple before their wedding, is playing at Factory Theatre
Repetitive Strain Injury, the story of a young couple on the verge of marriage, is the first production of Company Kid Logic. Toronto’s Factory Theatre Studio hosts the coming-out party for this uber-talented company. For over 40 years, Factory has been “Home of the Canadian playwright” and a breeding ground for great, young Canadian talent. Repetitive Strain Injury certainly follows in that tradition.
Disco Pigs explores an intense and inseparable relationship at Oz Studios in Toronto
Disco Pigs is a movie and play written by Enda Walsh about a boy and a girl born within one second of one another. They develop an uncanny relationship, become inseparable and are the proverbial two sides of the same coin. It’s a fascinating, intense production on stage at Oz Studios in Toronto.
Disco Pigs is set in contemporary Ireland, so don’t expect Irish clichés like leprechauns and shillelaghs. Instead, expect fantastic acting from Claire Burns and Bryan Demore. The language they use is a bit different than the typical Torontonian, but it is inviting, almost intoxicating. It’s almost like a cross between Roddy Doyle type dialogue and A Clockwork Orange.
