Enjoying its second run at the Arcola, Jack Gamble’s production is a stark portrayal of the family dynamics of a typical working class family at the start of the 20th century. Focussing on the strained relationship between Luther and Minnie during the early weeks of their marriage, D H Lawrence’s The Daughter-in-Law is all about […]
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Gruesome Playground Injuries is all about variations on themes. Director Chris Bretecher writes that, in following the characters through their unlikely and unlucky journey, “we acknowledge topics of mental health, sexual consent, substance abuse, self harm, and risk taking behaviours”. This is far clearer in the literature than the text: the playbill explains the production’s […]
When the musical Hair opened 50 years ago, it made a real splash. A sexy, psychedelic, energetic show about young people seeking freedom and love at a time of huge political unrest. Unfortunately, Hart House’s production fails to transport you to that moment. Though littered with a number of good performances and cameos, the performance […]
1979 is a political thriller – but not like that. The (rise and) fall of one of Canada’s most forgotten and forgettable leaders sounds more like a mischievous improv prompt or DVR description for a History show than a recipe for gripping theatre – but it works. It’s easy to see why the production went […]
Be sure to check out our full list of Next Stage reviews. A Bear Awake in Winter Bullying as a topic in theatre, especially for young people, has been ascendent for the past few years. But it’s rarely examined with such nuance and even-handedness (and humour, even) as in Ali Joy Richardson’s script here. Richardson’s […]
Be sure to check out our full list of Next Stage reviews. Dinner with The Duchess Meet Margaret (Allegra Fulton), a celebrated female violinist, who is retiring after decades of an illustrious career. She is being interviewed in her home by young prodigy journalist, Helen (Rosie Simon), who is intent on asking hard, smart questions. […]
Be sure to check out our full list of Next Stage reviews. Raising Stanley/Life with Tulia Raising Stanley/Life with Tulia is a multidisciplinary success of a show that brings together one-woman storytelling, video of original paintings, director narration, recorded artist interviews and music to create a sense of warm, remarkable insight to the world of […]