Activist and PhD Candidate Mandi Gray, who made headlines from 2015 to 2017 for taking her rapist to court, will premiere her film Slut or Nut at Hot Docs 2018. Slut or Nut is a quirky, touching look at the legal, emotional, and physical struggles survivors face both within Toronto and in greater society. Gray took the time to share part of her experience with the case, and in making the film. READ MORE
Necessary Angel Theatre Company, Electric Company Theatre, and The Theatre Centre bring us their new co-production 40 Days And 40 Nights, a new work created and performed by Daniel Brooks and Kim Collier, with consulting director Jennifer Tarver for Necessary Angel.
This sensorial, ritualistic, celebration invites performers and audiences to contemplate, and talk about Love. Here is what Collier has to share about this intriguing new work.
With theatre season in full bloom in Toronto, I continue to discover more local theatre companies creating challenging and provocative works. This past week I learned about Lester Trips (Theatre) founded by Lauren Gillis and Alaine Hutton. Their latest collaboration, Mr. Truth, an off-the-beaten-sketch-comedy-path is set to premiere at Why Not Theatre’s The RISER Project.
To learn more about Lester Trips (Theatre) and Mr. Truth, Gillis graciously agreed to be part of my 5 Questions With… series. READ MORE
Written & Performed by Jivesh Parasram, Take d Milk, Nah? is the story of how he once birthed a cow… kinda. Catchy tag line, no? Read on to find out about the inspiration behind Parasram’s show. READ MORE
Blood Pact Theatre with support from Storefront Theatre, and in association with Factory Theatre presents the world premiere of After Wrestling — opening March 1, 2018. After Wrestling revolves around Hogan and his sister Leah. Together they navigate old flames, new relationships, and their mental health in a booze- and grief-fuelled debate after the suicide of Hogan’s best friend Gibby. Playwright Charlie Kerr — with writing partner Bryce Hodgson‘s blessing — shared some insights about the play with yours truly. READ MORE
Native Earth Performing Arts‘ production of Ipperwash, written and directed by Six Nations playwright Falen Johnson is set to premiere this upcoming week. Ipperwash tells a fictionalized story based on real events, developed through conversations with community members. Following an Anishinaabe Corporal who visits Camp Ipperwash for ordnance clean-up, the play shares an intimate story of resilience of the Stoney and Kettle Point communities who have been forcibly evicted from their land. READ MORE
Shakespeare BASH’d returns to the Monarch Tavern with an exciting new staging of Richard III. Co-Artistic Director James Wallis returns to the stage to play the title role; while Jennifer Dzialoszynski (Shaw Festival) navigates a complicated path as Lady Anne.
Both Wallis and Dzialoszynski share some insight into this play and their respective characters. READ MORE
The World Premiere of Calpurnia by Audrey Dwyer, a co-production from Nightwood Theatre and Sulong Theatre, this week. The play is a provocative and satirical look at class, race, and appropriation. Calpurnia follows the story of Julie, a screenwriter from a wealthy Jamaican-Canadian home who goes to extreme lengths to redress To Kill a Mockingbird through the perspective of Calpurnia, the Finch family maid.
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During last month’s Blood In the Snow Canadian Film Festival (BITS), I had the pleasure of meeting Mexican-Canadian film director extraordinaire Gigi Saul Guerrero. Over the past few years, Guerrero has been making waves in the genre film scene not only as director but also as a writer. Her recent successes include the short films Dia De Los Muertos, Madre de Dios, and Bestia, which won Best Short at BITS this year. READ MORE
Pioneers in devised theatre incorporating movement, live music, interactive design, and media work, Theatre Gargantua is a leading multi-disciplinary theatre company. Jacquie P.A. Thomas, one of Canada’s longest-serving female Artistic Directors, founded Theatre Gargantua in 1992. Alongside with Michael Spence and other artists, Thomas has made Theatre Gargantua an artist-driven company that produces ground-breaking works in two-year cycles.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas and Spence before the premiere of their latest work, Reflector, to talk about the company, and their upcoming premiere. READ MORE