Robert Icke wants to do something with his adaptation of The Oresteia. He wants to smooth out the contrivances of Aeschylus’ original tragedy while increasing the emotional intensity. While I applaud that effort—recontextualisation is crucial for modern theatre—the funny thing is that for all its clever techniques, Oresteia leaves me wanting more formality in these […]
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With so many productions to see (and some of our staffers headed out of town to cover San Diego Comic-Con), we’ve brought on extra help this year to review more Toronto Fringe Festival shows than ever. Over 10 days, 7 critics will be tackling nearly 100 productions. Check out the full list below. The My […]
In a way, I exist between the audiences that Inside Out is pointed at: parents + kids. I’m long since past when my own imaginary friend faded away (RIP Doadie), but I’ve yet to change a diaper and think anything other than “ew. I cant wait until this thing’s mom gets home.” I’ve never watched […]
It is refreshing when a rarer musical pops up on the London fringe circuit, and this production of The Baker’s Wife does a fine job at demonstrating one of composer Stephen Schwartz’s lesser known works. The intimate Drayton Arms Theatre serves perfectly as the local French village where the show is set and the stage […]
What is your morning jam? You know what I mean. Your go to song when you are heading to work, the song you blast while getting ready for the day, or the song you set as your alarm because it is impossible to hate (or, worse, sleep through). Periods of my life are inextricably linked […]
It’s time, once again, for the On DVD series featuring new releases from Paramount Home Distribution and Elevation Pictures. Prestige Films from Elevation The Gunman: This low-profile, high star-power formula action movie is everything you either really love or really hate about action movies. The film isn’t anything special but the actors- Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Mark Rylance, […]
When I was six years old, I fell madly in love with The Sound of Music. And I mean madly, as in I went absolutely mad. My poor parents and older brother were subjected to an endless stream of six-year-old Julie Andrews imitation on an 8-hour drive to Montreal. 8 hours, nothing but “do-mi-mi-mi-so-so-re-fa-fa-la-ti-ti!” (see, […]
The Stratford Festival is having some women issues this year with a season that includes a dispiriting number of plays with misogynistic themes and not enough female-led works (though the late openers may help matters, hopefully). In contrast, at least in my opinion, The Shaw Festival is killing it on the female front despite the gender […]