The weather seems to slowly be improving in Toronto this weekend. This means there is no excuse to stay indoors and enjoy some art and culture in our city. Here are a few suggestions for you.
FILM
CMW Film Fest
The festival is already underway and continues until Saturday, May 10th at The Royal Cinema. I compiled my top 5 picks at the fest, which you can find here.
I do suggest checking out:
BREADCRUMB TRAIL – A SLINT DOCUMENTARY
Friday, May 9th, 7:00pm
Director: Lance Bangs
SWIM LITTLE FISH SWIM
Saturday, May 10th, 4:30pm
Writers/Directors: Lola Bessis & Ruben Amar
MUSIC
Canadian Music Week (CMW)
CMW is a five-day music festival and runs until Saturday, May 10th across several venues in the city. Like its film festival counterpart, I selected a few shows that piqued my musical interest. You can find them here.
I also suggest:
SOUNDS AUSTRALIA BEAT PIE
CZEHOSKI
Friday, May 9th
Tanya Lee – 8:30pm
Lili Kendall – 9:15pm
Hoodlem – 10:00pm
Yeo – 10:45pm
Audego – 11:30pm
Elizabeth Rose – 12:15am
Sons et al. – 1:00am
OFF!
LEE’S PALACE
Saturday, May 10th,
Twelve Foot Ninja – 9:00pm
The Organ Thieves – 10:00pm
Single Mothers – 11:00pm
Cerebral Ballzy – 12:00am
OFF! – 1:00am
THEATRE
Abigail’s Party
Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace
Ends Saturday, May 10th
The play was written for the stage and television devised and directed in 1977 by Mike Leigh. It is a suburban situation comedy of manners, and a satire on the aspirations and tastes of the ‘new middle class’ that emerged in Britain in the 1970s.
I had recommended this play a week back, and I have heard nothing but good things about it. My pal Donna G of The More The Merrier Radio Show interviewed one of the leads, Anna Hardwick last week. I suggest taking a listen to her show. The play sounds like a load of fun. And I think this is a party that none of us want to miss…
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| Cast of Le Précieuses Ridicules Photo: Théâtre Français de Toronto |
The Precious Young Ladies / Les Précieuses ridicules
Théâtre Français de Toronto
Ends Saturday, May 10th
This one-act comedy, written by Molière, takes a satiric aim at the extravagant and delicate ladies of the French bourgeoisie. Cousins Magdelon and Cathos move to Paris in search of fame, romance, and excitement. The young ladies revoke the advances to two well-to-do gents, who in turn decide to teach les précieuses a lesson or two.
Director Guy Mignault decided to add short texts, songs, and monologues that reflect his personal views and reflect Molière’s thinking as well. Mignault also decided to set the play within a contemporary cocktail party hosted by two rather pretentious ladies. In short, we are watching a play within a play, and it somewhat works. The dialogue is accented by songs, which are witty and funny. The cast navigates between dialogue and songs well enough. And with the aid of the surtitles, I found myself laughing more often than not.
The back and forth between Molière’s play and the cocktail party were at times confusing. The night I attended, however, most of the audience seemed to enjoy themselves regardless. I do give kudos to the set and costume designs by Glen Charles and Landry Nina Okens, respectively. Overall, Les Précieuses is a fun night out.
