House of Gold

Brighter Dark Theatre—The Output

A quick trip up the elevator and a few steps takes you right into the living room of the Gold family. The seating set up is such that you are literally immersed into the fabric of this family’s hilarious and dysfunctional dynamics.

An original story written by a local playwright, House of Gold tells the tale of the adult children of a passed on country music legend, attempting to re create their father’s success and fortune through DNA and the calibrated upbringing of the grandson.

With a multitude of laugh out loud moments, a strong cast of six unique performers, entertains their audience throughout. You are engaged as each character brings forth energy, comedy and charisma through their efforts to mold Jimmy into the cash cow they hope he will be.

But what happens when Jimmy may not be as talented as his grandfather? Doesn’t he deserve to live his life for himself? Can the devoted mother protect her son’s future? How unethical are these three siblings who want to see their investment flourish? Can the good “doctor” deliver the specimen they have eagerly awaited? Will John Gold come back from the dead? What magic or trouble lies beneath that hat? Go find out!

Shayla Patterson

Precarious Endangerment

Hogans Circus—MTC Up the Alley

If you’re looking for a danger magician, look no further! This show is a very entertaining exploration into the curiosities of what the human body is capable of. Seemingly impossible stunts and plenty of viscerally cringey stunts that you can’t quite believe he pulls off without fail! He had me on the edge of my seat but also peeking through my fingers, overall impressed and astounded. Inspired by the sideshows and freak shows of circuses of old, Brett Oddly brings us face to face with the bizarre and macabre that you can’t look away from. He told us that similarly to the desire to experience new foods as one travels, regardless of how wacky and weird, he has a similar desire with sensations. There is a lot to discover when pushing the envelope with one’s body and abilities. Make sure you volunteer, you’ll have a story to share for sure!

Calantha Jensen

My Dinner With Arby

Out Of Body Physical Theatre—Dave Barber Cinematheque

I was not sure what to make of this show when I saw it. As you walk into the theatre, the performers (Baird Duncan and Jackson Thompson) are on stage in their clown personas getting some help from various audience members to help ‘dramaturg’ the show. They then start the show. Two old friends who have not seen each other in a long time sharing a meal and talking about various things.

Some of the topics covered, were I suspect suggestions from the audience, but as those were not really spoken out loud, like at an improv show, I can only guess that was why a discussion of Manga was on the table (a topic I know nothing about).

In their discussion on the arts and performing, among other things, they do talk about doing a show “My Dinner with Andre in clown”. OK, that and the show title kind of clicked a bit. I think my key befuddlement was because my familiarity with the movie “My Dinner with Andre” was at a level below that of even “elevator pitch”. So it wasn’t until after the show, when I looked at IMDB to find out more about the movie and fill in some gaps that I could understand the show a bit more. I also learned it is a somewhat polarizing movie where people either love it or hate it. I fear ‘My Dinner With Arby’ might suffer the same fate. I personally didn’t hate it, but it was definitely not my cup of tea.

Murray Hunter

View From Sunset Towers

Shoestring Players—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I am of the opinion that Shoestring Players ought to be affectionately referred to as heartstrings players, because there hasn’t been a production I’ve left of theirs with dry eyes. This is an intensely heartfelt collection of stories from perspectives later in life, when after years of life experience and memories, the characters reach another fork in the road on their paths of life, and have new choices to make. The deeply emotional and raw human moments had me gripped at every turn. It was funny, validating and illuminating, definitely a must see.

Calantha Jensen

Fifth Date

The Gargoyle Players—The Gargoyle Theatre

Deeply uncomfortable and entirely uncompromising, Fifth Date is a show where the content warning are likely not explicit enough, but still skillfully addressed. The show itself was well acted and directed, with the two leads, on a fifth date brutally derailed by the admission of past guilt and sexual crimes, playing the parts well. The male lead himself was written to clearly reject the expected reveal of clear evil and recidivism. Perhaps too reasonable, his measured responses sometimes come off as slimy and all too real, in ways that his romantic partner and the play don’t react to in ways that make me unclear how obvious they were intended. This play is difficult, and for anyone with triggers around sexual assault, not a great choice, but for all that absolutely not unworthy of a watch.

Josh Fidelak

Butterfly Dreams

Rem Lezar Theatre—Son of Warehouse

This is a particularly whimsical dance art piece. I loved the live musical score to accompany the movement, and the curious and creative use of song and sound. It is a show full of surprises and a sweet playfulness. It is rather abstract as well, and I found my imagination swirling around as I watched the performers, trying to determine what story they were telling. It was beautiful and ethereal.

Calantha Jensen

Shelf-Control

Distingo—Dave Barber Cinematheque

This was a very nice little one-person show with Duncan Storozuk playing a book store clerk, a librarian, and various other customers and patrons. It delves into the importance of books, the differences between libraries and book stores, and the discussion of favourite books. Perfect for bibliophiles.

Murray Hunter

Joan of Arc Ascending

Doctor Keir Co.—Théâtre Cercle Molière

I feel as though this show is what I WISH every history lesson in school had been like! A fascinating, engaging and entertaining tale of a woman who has become a legend in the 6 centuries since her death. Joan of Arc has inspired so much art, lore and speculation and I learnt a lot more than I ever known previously. I enjoyed the serenading and some haunting vocals, as well as the reminder that our understanding of the world is incomplete and that the extraordinary is beyond our philosophy. Hers is a story that is so incredible, it almost seems unreal and yet, to this day, she still captivates our imaginations. Cutler also has a published book that includes even more details about her life that there wasn’t enough time for in the hour slot. Highly recommend.

Calantha Jensen

Apoptosis

Metanoia Theatre Co.—The Gargoyle Theatre

Stressful family drama, dealing with personal trauma around relationships, the ways we deal with them, and the medical system that we’re forced through tragedy to relate with. The script itself is competent, if a bit predictable in the different twists and turns it takes, and the characters are a bit over written and over acted, leading to some difficulties in relating and empathizing with them. Despite all the flaws, this could easily be a diamond in the rough for those looking for tough conversations and family drama.

Josh Fidelak

The Stakeout by Martin Dockery

Racing Sloth Productions—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

I am always blown away by anything Martin Dockery creates, and I made sure to check out his and Andrew’s new show after loving the Long Night of the American Dream last year. This year’s production is a dynamic, clever and witty tale about father and son relationships. The dialogue is performed at such a breakneck speed at times, it kept me riveted at every moment, making sure I didn’t miss any details. There are twists and turns, wisdom and insight, and hilarious callbacks. They’re both as brilliant storytellers as always.

Calantha Jensen