Two of the strongest productions at the Shaw Festival this year, this duo of dramedies features witty, vibrant women and the flimsy men who take up too much of their time. Among women who can seriously sing in Canada, to the best of my expertise, Sara Farb is probably the best actress. That’s a […]
Rock solid tragicomedies with memorable visuals, rich design, and reliable casts, this duo of productions represent what the Shaw Festival does best. In Sleuth, the excellent directorial debut of fan favourite performer Peter Fernandes, a badger-haired Patrick Galligan brings his veteran gravitas to a role that perfectly capitalizes on the little twinkle he always […]
Director/adaptor Fiona Sauder has always taken kids really seriously. Or, rather, she takes them at least as seriously as she takes adults. Probably more. As a result, she might be the most reliable creator of quality theatre for young audiences I’ve encountered in my career. Her work never takes kids’ attention for granted but neither […]
The Shaw Festival has had some notable success in recent years with British farce. It’s a good fit for the festival- quick and physical and light while fitting squarely into the mandate that can otherwise sometimes be a bit stiff. But, like tap dance musicals before it, farce has become a bit of a crutch […]
Reuniting the core team from 2024’s One Man, Two Guvnors, this goofy mistaken identity romp is yet another well-executed bit of nonsense that serves a very specific purpose in moderation. Designer Michael Gianfrancesco’s set is so expansive and detailed that you’d swear the Shaw had an infinite production budget. Seven entrances, some hidden some […]
A swift kick of theatrical intensity, this lean one-act from playwright Adrienne Kennedy receives a calmly unadorned production that stands out for its impact in a lighter-than-average Shaw season. The play is functionally a solo show starring the ever-reliable Sophia Walker as an author guest lecturing at her titular alma mater. While André Morin is […]
I’m picky when it comes to holiday traditions- the market is too crowded, turkey is dry, and I really think George Bailey needs to learn to control his temper. But I very quickly attached to the tradition of the Shaw Festival’s Christmas Carol + festive musical two-show day. Throw in a stroll down Niagara-on-the-Lake’s picturesque […]
The best things at the Shaw Festival seem to, at least for me, always come as a surprise. So I’m shocked but not shocked to tell you that, in 2025, the Shaw show I can’t stop thinking about is Tons of Money. The farce. Of all things. I hate farce but I love Mike […]