Theatre season almost never stops in Toronto. This weekend is no different. Take a look at my personal picks of productions currently on-stage around town — all of which are relevant, poignant, and timely.Swan
Little Black Afro Theatre Company
Theatre Passe Muraille
Until November 20th
Tickets: $15-$20. Available online or by calling 416-504-7529
Performed in episodic, storytelling vignettes, Swan explores the idea of growing up coloured in a predominantly white neighbourhood, the journey of discovering home as the second generation children of immigrants, and how the feeling of cultural inferiority can twist people into suburban monsters.
The Creases In My Sari by Sindhuri Nandhakumar
Alumnae Theatre Studio
Part of Alumnae Theatre’s Firework festival
Until November 13th
Tickets: $15. Available online or one hour before show (cash only at door)
Two young Sri Lankan immigrants from warring factions fall in love, but growing political turmoil and their own cultural baggage threaten to drive them apart, even in Toronto. Shadows of the past and secrets abound, and radicalism erupts as the violence in Sri Lanka escalates. Kimberley Radmacher directs the talented cast featuring: Brittany Miranda, Jasmine D’Costa, Suchiththa Wickremesooriya, and Lionel Boodlal.
BloodClot by d’bi.young anitafrika
Sankofa Trilogy Part One
The Watah Theatre Studio
Until November 20th
Tickets: $30 (Weds PWYC). Available online
BloodClaat is a story about a 15 year old girls coming of age through menstrual rights of passage and her courageous survival through childhood sexual assault. Using the intimate Watah Theatre Studio as the storytellers playground, BloodClaat is reimagined as an experimental site-specific production where anitafrika aims to deepen her monodrama-performer-audience-relationship for which she is known.
Pomona by Alistair McDowell
ARC
360 Geary Avenue
Until November 19th
A woman is missing. Her sister is searching. As she comes closer to revealing the dark truth, the fabric of her own life becomes twisted into a strange loop until she can no longer be sure what is fantasy, what is myth, and what is the very real result of a society conditioned to look the other way in the face of human evil.
*Having attended its opening night, I can say this is not a happy play. It may also not appeal to all audiences, yet it is an excellent examination of some of the perverse parts of society. The production is challenging yet thought-provoking. Kudos to a great cast who takes this story on and makes the audience viscerally react to what they are experiencing.
This is the Point
Co-produced by Ahuri Theatre and The Theatre Centre
The Theatre Centre
Until November 20th
Tickets: Preview $17 | Regular $30 | Student/senior/arts worker $22
Book 416-538-0988 | PURCHASE ONLINE
This is the Point is a portrait of four individuals whose lives have been shaped, in part, by cerebral palsy. The play aims to address misconceptions related to disability by sharing the ordinary and extraordinary stories of these two real-life couples.
In order to further open up conversations about inclusivity, equity and diversity, a number of activities have been programmed during the run of This is the Point: artist and activist Syrus Marcus Ware will be throwing an all accessible dance party with three surprise pop-up performances (Nov 19); Tangled Arts + Disability will facilitate a series of drop-in art making workshops, led by Gloria Swain; and contemporary media art focused collective, MICE Magazine will launch their second issue with an all-day symposium around accessibility and transformative justice in the arts (Nov 12).
There is no reason to stay at home this weekend. Whether you are familiar with these local theatre companies or not, take a chance and venture into something new or perhaps, different. Discovering new works and artists is part of the fun.
