Lisa McKeown

At this point, Kim’s Convenience hardly needs an introduction. Having toured nationally, with multiple remounts, and having been turned into a CBC series (it’s just been renewed for a second season), this summer Ins Choi’s play will head to New York City for its U. S. Premiere. But for now, it’s back at Soulpepper. The […]

  Lisa McKeown

Kate Hennig’s contemporary history play traces the story of King Henry VIII’s sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr (Kate) – beginning with his awkward and aggressive pursuit of her, her negotiation of their marriage (and sex life, which was pretty impressive), to Kate’s attempt to be both a mother and political advocate for Mary and […]

  Kelly Bedard

Toronto’s (Canada’s?) most ambitious professional theatre company is undoubtedly Soulpepper. The artist-led organization has never been shy about making their mark on the city but lately they’re expanding at a rate worth noting. This is especially noticeable at Christmas time, a season which used to consist of just two signature productions remounted in alternating years […]

  Kelly Bedard

Original musicals are hard to develop and expensive to produce so you don’t see that many of them crop up in the Canadian theatre landscape. Chasse-Galerie (both its quality and its trajectory) is a reminder that it can be done and why it’s worth doing. James Smith’s music and lyrics are toe-tapping delights, many of which […]

  Kelly Bedard

We’re back with another episode of the My Entertainment World Podcast, this one all about Canada’s first-ever Bachelorette. To help me sort out the good (Kyle!), the bad (Drew) and the ugly (Drew’s soul) of Jasmine’s search for love, I recruited Soulpepper actress Katherine Gauthier whose regular schedule of Ibsen and Molière is well balanced […]

  Kelly Bedard

Noises Off Did we need another 70s-set backstage theatre farce mere months after Jitters? No. But Soulpepper’s production of Noises Off made me laugh louder and with more obnoxious uncontainable shrieks than anything else I’ve seen this year so I’ll welcome the repetition. Simon Fon’s fight and stunt work was still too careful and a […]

  Kelly Bedard

A Doll’s House Recent Soulpepper Academy grad Katherine Gauthier is perfectly cast as Nora in this stylish, contemporary take on Ibsen’s story of a trapped, underestimated housewife. Pretty, poised and a little performative, Gauthier perfectly captures the meticulously put-together type of woman Nora is, especially in director Daniel Brooks’ insightfully modern vision. She’s at her […]

  Kelly Bedard

The Testament of Mary A Nancy Palk solo showcase with beautiful lighting (Lorenzo Savoini) and stirring sound (Richard Feren), this solemn one act tells the Jesus narrative from his mother’s perspective, stretching from his preaching in the temple to his death on the cross. It’s predictably a strong performance from Palk, her Mother of God […]