Apart from his (pathological?) obsession with airplane disasters, Istvan is a filmmaker and film enthusiast, but began his creative adventures in theatre. Starting out as an actor, he soon discovered a preference for life behind-the-scenes. He has experience in lighting design, stage management and production management, but his passion is writing and directing. With several short films and an indie feature under his belt, film has been his focus in recent years, but theatre has been calling him back. You see more of his critical writing at his film reflection blog: http://captiveviscera.wordpress.com/
Simeon Taole brings raw intensity and emotion to his role of Winston in The Space Between, his one man theatre show playing at Toronto’s Distillery District
I seem always to be dashing to the Distillery District, desperately hoping not to be late for some theatrical experience. It’s a shame because I hardly ever have a chance to actually enjoy the area. Thankfully, I made it to the Ernest Balmer Studio only a few moments late and found that the front of house staff had been holding the show for a few tardy individuals (of which I was one).
Vertical City’s YouTopia is an intellectually stimulating and visually striking theatrical experience playing at Toronto’s Glen Morris Studio Theatre
The set of YouTopia is a stylish and evocative contraption that overwhelmed me as I took my seat in the Glen Morris Studio Theatre. It towers over the audience, this haphazard grid that serves as a mechanism for the sustained existence—not quite life—of our three characters: Kiran, The Engineer and AL.
Kiran is trapped in an arduous cycle of repetition. The structure of her daily routine is sustained by the voice of AL (a computer). She pulls herself along the steel bars of her world and must balance precariously in various parts of the set. AL talks to her throughout—a time-keeper, a monitor, a friend. Kiran, eventually growing dissatisfied with her banal existence, begins to challenge AL. Continue reading Review: YouTopia (Vertical City)→
Anton in Show Business is an intelligent play within a play at Toronto’s intimate Sterling Studio Theatre
The Sterling Studio Theatre is a very charming little venue tucked away in the Bloor and Landsdown area. You’d never suspect the theatrical magic that awaits you behind its unassuming façade. Anton in Show Business is very special. It is my hope that, if I achieve nothing else in the following paragraphs, I convince you to see it!
This musical is set against the backdrop of a South that is proud and angry, still recovering from the Confederate defeat some 50 years prior. The year is 1913 and, deep in the heart of Georgia, Leo Frank is wrongly convicted of the murder of Mary Phagan. Continue reading Review: Parade (StageWorks Toronto)→
iShow is a completely mind-blowing experience! Oh, I’m gushing. I can’t help it. I went into this thinking it looked neat, but it moved me in ways I never expected. It hit nerves I didn’t even know I had. It is fun, and funny, and smart, and hypnotic, and sexy! It crept under my skin and now it won’t leave me alone.
This is a multi-media performance. Now, you should probably watch the very exciting trailer to get some sense of what that looks like. The show may not be to everyone’s taste. But if you have a sense of adventure, I urge you to give this show a chance. It might just rattle your brain and seize your heart too!
