Coal Mine Theatre is drawn to disturbing programming about mankind’s darkest truths. Their productions are often visceral, unpleasant, gritty, caked in blood, laced with profanity and only sometimes ultimately uplifting. Orphans is all of those things except the last one. Though funny and at times even sweet, it might be the darkest display of humanity […]
There is probably no more mundane a premise for a show then to present a slide-show of family photos while recounting that family’s personal history. However, William Yang’s Blood links is a compelling and emotional documentary. Yang’s affable story-telling style takes the audience on an autobiographical journey of one man (Yang) seeking his identity through […]
Why Not Theatre’s Prince Hamlet is currently being remounted at the Theatre Centre. Though to say remounted is misleading: adapted from Shakepeare’s Hamlet by Ravi Jain, the script is similar to the original from ten years ago, and still has Jain directing, but the production itself is composed of an entirely new team of artists, […]
There are times when it can be refreshing to step away from the theatrical realm and explore other forms of artistic expression. It’s Not Yet Midnight has no story, little cohesion and sometimes has too much going on at the same time. Be that as it may, it was one of the most outstanding performances I […]
Anusree Roy’s new play Little Pretty and The Exceptional is currently premiering at the Factory Theatre. The play opens in the sari shop the family is about to launch. Yarrik Larivee’s set design is simple and realistic, adding depth, texture and colour to the atmosphere while forcing the action downstage. The story is ostensibly focusing on the […]
There’s not anything groundbreaking or spectacular in this production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at Wilton’s Music Hall. Neither is there anything particularly problematic or dull. It’s very much an ok production, of an ok show. No more, no less. Describing a show as “ok” seems a little insulting, but that’s […]
KYLE is a dark comedy directed by Emily Owens and inspired by both playwright and actor Hollis James’s own battle with drug addiction. Occurring almost entirely in the messy living room of Jack (Nat Cassidy), the play chronicles his foray into cocaine use as the hold of addiction consumes his life. The play opens when […]
When something about a play doesn’t work, and perhaps more importantly – its run time exceeds 2.5 hours – one’s thoughts naturally tend towards the existential. What does it all mean? Why am I here? Loose Ends unfortunately struggles to be relevant to modern playgoers as its message has been muddled in the almost 40 […]