Archives

Grab Your Cowboy Hat and Boots for Some Good Ole Foot Stompin’ Fun! Reviewed by Marilu Murphy Having lived in the country and on a farm, I  felt right at home when I walked into the theatre.  The stage is reminiscent of a country barn decorated for Christmas. In the corner, there is a green […]

Watch Out for Poison Ivy! Reviewed by Mary Alderson Jack and the Beanstalk is a traditional British panto, now on stage at the Globus Theatre in rural Bobcaygeon, written by Sarah Quick, artistic director. The audience is encouraged to boo the villain, cheer for the woebegone, and laugh at the jokes. And there are jokes

A Glorious Tradition Reviewed by Marilu Murphy Entering the theatre and peering down upon the stage, took me back to an era of years gone by of an old fashioned Christmas. A sparkling, white winter wonderland is presented before me. A large white grand piano with 12 glittering candles neatly placed beneath it sit just

Naughty & Nice: Panto More for Adults than Kids Reviewed by Mary Alderson Hansel and Gretel have been pushed into the 21st century by the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. They look like they are from the 1800s, Hansel dressed in traditional German lederhosen and Gretel in a dirndl dress. But don’t let that fool

Mass Murderer on the Loose — Maybe Reviewed by Mary Alderson There is a murderous gang on the loose in the small towns around Bobcaygeon. These are tiny, obscure villages that you may not even be familiar with. Yet these villages host some of the most horrific murderers ever known. These murders take place twice

Unique, moving, sad, profound! Reviewed by Sandi Laird Ronnie Burkett puts his unique story-telling talents on full display on The Grand Theatre’s Auburn Stage. To be honest, Ronnie and his marionettes were unknown to me and so I admit I checked out Burkett before entering the theatre. Award winning Ronnie Burkett is a renowned marionettist

A Tale of Two Frankies Reviewed by Mary Alderson If you are a fan of the musical Jersey Boys, which made its Canadian debut back in 2008, then you will LOVE How We Got to Jersey. And if you enjoy behind-the-scenes, inside-scoop stories, you will really LOVE How We Got to Jersey. This show which

The Curtain Rises – Mayhem Ensues! Reviewed by Sandi Laird London’s Grand Theatre has a winner on its hands. It all begins as the fictional director of The Murder at Haversham Manor walks onto the stage to introduce the play from the imagined Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society. Then the curtain rises on more than two

Bluegrass Music Tells a Riveting Story Reviewed by Mary Alderson There are two things you notice immediately about the musical Bright Star, now on stage at the CAA/Mirvish Theatre in Toronto. First, although the story and music are written by comedian Steve Martin, this is not a comedy. Yes, there are funny bits scattered throughout,

New Beginnings Reviewed by Debbie McClure During the mid-1800s Ireland experienced a severe potato famine that decimated crops and left families starving and fearful of what the next year would bring. For many, it was a time to re-examine life and the potential opportunities countries such as Canada offered. It seemed so possible and easy.