The Second City Toronto’s latest revue continues the recent trend away from the political and personal and towards more clear cut comedy. As is often the case, I wanted more of a throughline from the established theme of magic (a successful bit featuring Jesus proves the power of recurrence but I always want more). My […]
Rebecca Northan & Bruce Horak’s company Spontaneous Theatre make some of the most dependably enjoyable theatre in Canada. Incredible technicians with creative minds for concept and format, their work is consistently sharp and unique. Their improv formats- notably Blind Date and the whodunnit structure in use here- have, built in, a bit of a risk […]
For the past few seasons, my favourite programming at the Shaw Festival has been Outdoors at the Shaw, a somewhat informal series of concerts and variety shows the bulk out the mainstage programming. These performances would take place across the festival grounds, at the outdoor BMO stage, and, starting last season, at the fun and […]
Click Here to read all our reviews from Toronto Fringe 2024. Desperate Measures (A) Cameron Kneteman and Hilary Wirachowsky anchor this charming but thoughtful comedy about financial desperation with charisma and chemistry. Rachel Moore & Catherine Teichman’s script is funny but not too goofy and rooted at all turns in believable human behaviour. A fresh […]
Click Here to read all our reviews from Toronto Fringe 2024. Rat Academy (A) Crystal clear dramaturgy, impeccable character work, and impressive technical skill mark this clown duet about endangered Albertan rats as a can’t-miss oddity. Honouring the heart of clown tradition with a classic White/Auguste pairing, Katie Yoner and Dayna Lea Hoffmann’s Fingers […]
The 2024 Toronto Fringe Festival kicked off on July 3, running through July 14. Two of our writers, Kelly and Lisa, were on hand to see as many shows as possible. This year that number was 46. Listen to our Preview Piece to hear the artists pitch their work then check out the links below […]
Holiday! (Bad Dog at The Assembly Theatre) I made it out to Bad Dog Theatre Company’s Comedy on Queen Festival at The Assembly Theatre for one night only, to see an improvised musical based on Sondheim’s Company. With a rotating cast featuring more than a few favourites, I knew it wasn’t one I wanted to […]
Toronto’s favourite improv company Bad Dog Theatre is taking over the Assembly Theatre’s Parkdale space this month for a Comedy on Queen Street festival featuring 60+ shows and countless fantastic artists. We caught up with a pair of those artists to discuss one of the shows on offer: Holiday! An Improvised Musical Based on […]