Theatre Reviews

Reviews of theatre, dance, opera, comedy and festivals. Performances can be in-person or streamed remotely on the web for social-distancing.

2014 Next Stage Theatre Festival Review: Stencilboy and Other Portraits (Paradigm Productions)

A provocative story of addictions masked by art in Stencilboy playing at the Next Stage Theatre Festival

The start of a new year of theatre gets a proper kick off with the Next Stage Theatre Festival. This year’s selection certainly looks promising and if Paradigm Productions‘ Stencilboy and Other Portraits is any indication, I’m sure the festival won’t disappoint.

Stencilboy takes a gritty look at the world of visual art and the past, present, ideals and dark secrets hidden, reflected, and highlighted in the brush strokes on the canvas.

Continue reading 2014 Next Stage Theatre Festival Review: Stencilboy and Other Portraits (Paradigm Productions)

The Shakespeare Challenge (Shakespeare in Action)

Calling all fans of the Bard, this is your chance take on a role in the Shakespeare Challenge

Shakespeare in Action is presenting their third annual Shakespeare Challenge on February 8th at the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto. The volunteer cast will be performing an abridged version of Twelfth Night.

Have you ever wanted to perform on stage in a Shakespeare play? Would you like to help bring Shakespeare to school audiences in Ontario? And to introduce a new generation to the joy of theatre?

This is your chance to be a champion, to learn something new, and to raise money for a terrific organization.

Here’s the challenge: each champion is asked to commit to the rehearsal schedule – six rehearsals, perform on stage, and raise $1500.00.  You’ll get your own fund-raising web page and Shakespeare in Action will help you with tools and tips for successful fund-raising. You’ll be directed by Michael Kelly, Shakespeare in Action’s Artistic Director.

They still have space for a few more champions – no acting experience necessary.

Ready to sign up? You can register online at Eventbrite.

If you have questions or would like more information you can read about The Shakespeare Challenge and watch a short video or contact Kim Haladay or Mat Howard at 416-703-4881.

Information about making a donation or buying tickets will be on The Shakespeare Challenge web page in the next couple of weeks.

Review: Whedonesque for the Holidays (Bad Dog Theatre)

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Bad Dog Theatre celebrates all things Joss Whedon in this hilarious holiday improv at Toronto’s Comedy Bar

Based on the success of their first Whedonesque show over Labour Day weekend, Bad Dog Theatre decided to revisit the world of Joss Whedon for their last performance of 2013 with Whedonesque for the Holidays. Last Saturday, three back to back improv shows based on Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the short-lived series Firefly took over Comedy Bar’s theatre space. Each performance lasted just under an hour with the cast mixing it up for each show by playing different characters.

Continue reading Review: Whedonesque for the Holidays (Bad Dog Theatre)

Kid +1 Review: Tea at the Palace (Puppetmongers Theatre)

Tea at the Palace

This great piece of puppet theatre is perfect for adults and kids alike, playing at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre

This afternoon Max (almost five), his mum, his mum’s best friend, and I (his grandmother) went to see Tea at the Palace at Tarragon Theatre. This Puppetmongers Theatre production has been a holiday tradition for 24 years. This is the last year that it will be produced in Toronto; it’s being retired from the Toronto repertoire.

Don’t despair, there are two more shows so you can still see it. Continue reading Kid +1 Review: Tea at the Palace (Puppetmongers Theatre)

Tea at the Palace opens today at Tarragon Theatre – power has been restored!

Power has been restored at Tarragon Theatre and Puppetmongers’ production of Tea at the Palace is all set to open as planned today at 2 pm

There was a lot of nail-biting but all is well. Online ticket sales will be live at noon.

Puppetmongers’ winter holiday performances have been charming families and theatre-goers in Toronto since 1990.  Tea at the Palace began the tradition 24 years ago, and after this year, will be retired from Puppetmongers’ Toronto holiday family show cycle. 

Tea at the Palace is a lively and sumptuous retelling of two intertwined medieval Russian folktales.    A hapless peasant is brought to the Tsar’s court and charged with treason simply for making tea in a samovar.  Meanwhile, the Tsar becomes smitten with a clever peasant girl when she arrives at court to request settlement of a dispute.  To thwart the budding romance, the Tsar’s meddlesome servants resort to ridiculous antics, but are defeated at their own game when the Tsarina-to-be solves a series of riddles.

Continue reading Tea at the Palace opens today at Tarragon Theatre – power has been restored!