Archives

A Loving, But Unconventional Family Story Reviewed by Mary Alderson When a gay couple’s son wants to marry a girl, one man asks the other, “Where have we gone wrong?” That bit of reverse humour sets the tone for La Cage aux Folles, now playing on the Avon Theatre stage at the Stratford Festival. (Extended […]

An Astounding Study in Narcissism and Manipulation Reviewed by Mary Alderson The production of Hedda Gabler, now on stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre, is a newer view, from a recent translation. It is, to my eyes and ears, a study in narcissism. Hedda is a manipulative, power-hungry, controlling woman who even resorts to her

Strong and Interesting Casting Improves Cymbeline   Reviewed by Mary Alderson In this year’s Twelfth Night at Stratford Festival, two of the main characters have been changed from men to women. The same thing has been done in Cymbeline, now playing at the Tom Patterson Theatre. Cymbeline is a Queen rather than a King, and

Love or Hate Shakespeare? Love or Hate Musicals? See Something Rotten! Reviewed by Mary Alderson Something Rotten! is the perfect show for the Stratford Festival. (Extended to November 18, 2024.) It mocks Shakespeare and musicals, ridiculing them both equally, proving there’s something for everyone. Despite poking fun at musicals, the dancing and singing are amazing.

What You Will Gets You What You Want Reviewed by Mary Alderson Apparently, someone in Shakespeare’s time considered Twelfth Night a Christmas show – although there is no obvious reason why. But that’s how the name Twelfth Night came to be. It was traditionally shown on the twelfth day of Christmas, which was a time

An Ode to Friendship Reviewed by Mary Alderson We live in a rather nasty world where people are often rude, disrespectful and ill-tempered. We could all take lessons in kindness and courtesy from Frog and Toad. And we’d be fortunate if that led to a friendship like theirs. A Year with Frog and Toad is

The Black and Gold Love Letter to Lambton County Reviewed by Adam Hobbs The rousing revival of Robert More’s love letter to Oil Springs and Petrolia is all boom and very little bust! This fast-paced exploration of Lambton’s oil boom from 1858 to the 1880s delivers a careful balance of joy, sorrow, and hard work

Director Julie Tomaino Dazzles with Tribute to Perkins, Lewis, Cash, and Presley Reviewed by Eden Eidt Rock n’ roll is here to stay on the Spriet Stage at the Grand in London! As toe-tapping familiar classics begin to play, the energy is immediately infectious, and the cast can barely get through a song without the

We Hear the People Sing One Day More Reviewed by Mary Alderson I just did a count – this marks the 10th time I have seen Les Mis. It is a brilliantly epic musical, with rousing anthems and heart-wrenching ballads. And if you’ve never seen it, you MUST. It’s on stage at the Princess of

A Short, Sweet Nostalgia Trip By Mary Alderson It is a night to remember the good old days – 1973 to be precise. Dominating the billboard charts that year were Elton John and Simon and Garfunkel, if this concert is any indication. Billboard in Concert 1973 is on stage briefly at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre.