U.S. Support For Canadian Theatre?
Will The American Theatre Community Support Canada? What, if anything, is the American theatre community doing to support Canada in its existential struggle with the madman in the White House? What if every theatre company in the country programmed at least one Canadian play? There are a lot of great ones. Just sayin’. For a […]
Stratford Casting 2027
Stratford Casting 2027 The Stratford Festival has announced casting for its 2027 season a scant eleven days before tickets go on sale to members. While you are sharpening your pencils and before I pass you on to the official details, allow me a few observations. Stephen Ouimette returns after a too-long absence to play Polonius […]
The Stratford Festival’s 2027 Season
Stratford’s 2027 Season The Stratford Festival has announced its 2027 season. Here’s what we know so far: Festival Theatre Mary Poppins – April 29 to November 6 – Vanessa Sears stars as Mary. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and Stephen Mear. Chicago – May 24 to November 7 – A remount of Donna Feore’s 2022 smash. […]
Looking Ahead To The 2027 Season
Looking Ahead To The 2027 Season So what joys does the 2027 season have in store? The crystal ball is still a bit hazy with only a few companies announcing their 2027 seasons. Here’s what we know so far. The Shaw Festival The Shaw Festival’s 2027 season should prove to be quite entertaining if slimmer […]
Chong Is Wrong
Chong Is Wrong Joshua Chong, the Toronto Star’s chief theatre critic, recently wrote a think piece with the headline “Canada must not freeze out American artists as Donald Trump attacks cultural institutions.” It was written in response to the “scores” of letters and comments he has received from people who think that Canadian theatres should […]
It’s Not A Cult, It’s A Salon
It’s Not A Cult, It’s A Salon Recently, I spent a fascinating evening at The Leonor and the memory has been haunting me ever since. The occasion was a reading of a work in progress by Canadian actress and, yes, superstar, Chilina Kennedy. The piece she is developing with the dramaturgical assistance of playwright Robert […]
The Odyssey And The Oddity
The Odyssey And The Oddity I took a break from theatre to go see Christopher Nolan’s bladder-busting three-hour blockbuster The Odyssey. I can confidently report that it’s okay. I won’t presume to “review” it. Film criticism is above my pay grade, but I will permit myself some observations. It seems that, in addition to inventing […]
A Stratford (and Shaw) Travelogue
I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Bob Krist, retired photographer for National Geographic magazine, who is now sharing his professional know-how along with a growing collection of travel videos on YouTube. Like me, he has a life-long love of theatre so a pilgrimage to Canada’s two major festivals was a natural for […]
Brushing Up Your Shakespeare
Brushing Up Your Shakespeare I am an avid listener of The History of English Podcast, by Kevin Stroud, which helps while away the time as I commute back and forth from Stratford to the Great Satan to the south (thank you, Immigration Canada). Unless you’re a hopeless language nerd like me, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend […]
Blyth Festival Podcast
The Blyth Festival Podcast I wanted to give a brief shout out to the Blyth Festival Podcast, an excellent way to keep abreast of what’s coming up at Blyth. Hosted by Joanne Wallace, Blyth’s Director of Development, these short (35 to 45 minute) episodes typically take the form of interviews with the playwrights of upcoming […]