Reviewed by Mary Alderson Mental Health Story told with Warmth Note: This review contains spoilers.  It’s difficult subject matter – depression and suicide. It’s certainly not funny. And yet, the audience is laughing as we watch the story of boy whose mother tries to take her own life and eventually does.  And guess who creates the laughter […]

by Mary Alderson Follies in Concert was not Folly Richard Ouzounian tried to bring Follies to Toronto last year, but the pandemic put the kybosh on that plan. So 2021 become the new plan, and Ouzounian was successful. He gathered a stellar cast with an amazing orchestra and Follies became a fundraising gala for Koerner […]

Reviewed by Mary Alderson Viewing History Through a Different Lens Serving Elizabeth, now on stage at the Thousand Island Playhouse in Gananoque, gives us an interesting look at a moment in history. Those of us who are descendants of Great Britain have been taught history from textbooks created by settlers for settlers. We know little […]

Local Talent in an Oscar Wilde Favourite Oscar Wilde wrote The Importance of Being Earnest in 1895.  Even though the play is 126 years old, the humour and absurd circumstances still stand up.  Even though the play was shortened for this production, the original language was kept.  However, the cast wears modern clothing which supports […]

A Relaxed Outdoor Theatre Experience First, a word about Blyth’s Harvest Stage: An open-air theatre, it is nestled in the back corner of the Blyth Fairgrounds, and the able-bodied walk down gravel pathways to the stage.  (Not to worry, it is accessible to all.)  There is plenty of fresh air and trees and sky.  People […]

A Welcome Back Celebration Songs We Love – Favourites from Past (& Future VPP) Shows has something for everyone! Featured are performances from previous shows and upcoming shows, and the talent is top notch.  There’s truly a great variety, with samples of jazz, country, gospel, rock ‘n roll and more, even something from the Lion […]

Gabi Finds Herself In true cabaret style, Gabi Epstein shares her life story with the audience and tells us why she has chosen the songs she sings in her one-woman show, Gabs Sings Babs.  We hear about her many auditions that didn’t result in success, and we hear of her successes, such as landing her […]

Another Norm Foster Love Story Just when you think playwright Norm Foster has covered every kind of love possible, he has another story to tell.  This time it’s a look at the aging process through the lens of rekindled romance.  Norm Foster is Canada’s most prolific comedy writer. Google tells me he’s written 60 plays […]

Covid Comedy Covers Lost Love & Local Politics A broadcast journalist who had settled for a job as half the team on a radio morning show is suddenly forced out of that position. (You will have to see the play to find out why – no spoilers here.) Charlie King ends up as the manager, […]

Funny and Touching Mid-Life Crisis Shirley is trapped in a midlife crisis.  Her husband Joe is predictable and stubborn.  “Marriage is like the Middle East,” she says, “There’s no solution.  You keep your head down and hope the cease-fire holds.”  The Liverpool housewife is so lonely she talks to the wall, and with the wall […]