Tag: Theatre

Frosties, fries and live theatre

By Karoline Czerski

Cameras abound, stage techies scurry about, and Denise Clarke appears and disappears in directorial fury. One Yellow Rabbit artistic director and Letters from Wendy’s co-star Blake Brooker paces about with restless mischievousness, his shirt untucked, his hair ruffled and quirky smile on his face. Bruce McCulloch saunters onstage, pans the scene and the essence of… Continue reading Frosties, fries and live theatre

Terrified of Virginia Woolf?

By Leah Sasges

The lights dim and you are thrust into the intimacy of George and Martha’s living room. A little off kilter, it parallels the imperfection of this insult-hurling, drinking, violent and abusive middle-aged couple, effectively setting the scene for Alberta Theatre Projects’ production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? So why, you ask, should… Continue reading Terrified of Virginia Woolf?

Fire Exit Theatre

By Jael Wong

There’s something about laughter that’s wonderful and powerful at the same time. Just ask Val Lieske, artistic director of Fire Exit Theatre. "I think theatre is a very powerful medium, especially comedy," she says. "It just has the power to have people come in to this dark room and share this common experience and to… Continue reading Fire Exit Theatre

Sex, drugs and jazz

By Jeff Kubik

Watch smoke curl in the air as it drifts across beams of light, illuminating a jazz quartet belting out cool jazz. Listen to a baby-faced trumpeter singing softly into the microphone, playing old standby pieces in a way that stops conversation cold. Chet Baker sang with a simplicity that made familiar songs ambiguous and enchanting,… Continue reading Sex, drugs and jazz

Oui? Non! Merde!

By Jeff Kubik

What if the unthinkable happened? What if Quebec separated and poutine ceased to be a domestic commodity? Where would we go for high-end comedy festivals? What would we do with the tonnes of surplus bilingual cereal boxes? How would we efficiently dispose of Celine Dion? Plan B. Developed during the infamous separatist referendum of the… Continue reading Oui? Non! Merde!

No honour among thieves, but obscenity abounds

By Jael Wong

Who would have thought foul language could get such a warm reception? On Tues., Sept. 2, the crowd attending the first of several performances of American Buffalo at the Reeve Theatre responded with delight as the cast cussed and engaged in verbal jousting. The David Mamet play, which won the Drama Critics Circle Award for… Continue reading No honour among thieves, but obscenity abounds

Take my wife, please

By Alan Cho

“Protect the knickers,” the affable director jokingly warns his cast as actors Tracey Vance and Janos Zeller pose for a picture for a photographer in need of a money shot. Despite the warning, someone gets a quick peek and mentions the knickers are yellow. The director calms Tracey Vance, saying “Don’t worry, they’ll just airbrush… Continue reading Take my wife, please

Of disco singing physicists and “Name That Bum”

By Jeff Kubik

Comedy is a serious business. Delivery, timing and a thousand variables must be carefully considered before a finished product is shown to an audience. So you can be assured that when you finally see Stephen Hawking take the stage and sing the greatest disco hits of the ’70s, you’re taking part in something magnificent. Beginning… Continue reading Of disco singing physicists and “Name That Bum”