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Sweeney Todd

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd may not be everyone’s favourite musical, but the production now on stage at the Shaw Festival Theatre will thrill any fans of horror musical theatre. With Stephen Sondheim’s fast-paced music and lyrics telling the story, there are very few spoken words.  To get the most from this […]

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If Truth Be Told

The Value of Literature So what’s the best way to make a book more popular?  Try to ban it. Margaret Laurence became my favourite author, right after I heard they were trying to ban The Diviners. In marathon reading sessions, I devoured The Diviners and went on to read the rest of her wonderful books.

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Anything Goes

Old Favourite Revived at a Fast Pace It’s an oldie but a goodie – the musical Anything Goes was written a full 82 years ago.  As you watch this show, keep in mind that this material was cutting edge in 1934.  It may even have been considered scandalous! But the production now on stage at

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Matilda The Musical

Children are Maggots Matilda is one of those shows grandparents and parents can enjoy, along with the kids.  It’s based on the British children’s story and while much of it is adult humour, kids will really enjoy it.  It’s typical of author Roald Dahl’s books – an evil adult makes life horrible for children, but

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Hilda’s Yard

Talking to the Neighbour Lady Set in 1956, Hilda’s Yard, now on stage at Playhouse II in Grand Bend, at first seems to be a nostalgic look back at the good old days.  There’s the neat back yard, the tin awning over the back porch, and Hilda hanging the wash on the clothesline, talking to

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Driving Miss Daisy

A Beautiful Friendship A heartwarming, well-directed, well-acted production of Driving Miss Daisy is on stage at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia.  Anyone wanting to see this play should order tickets immediately, because it will sell out thanks to the star-power of Michael Learned in the role of Daisy. Michael Learned, you’ll recall, was TV’s Ma

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Canadian Legends

The Mountie Rides into Town Again The ever popular Mountie Archibald F. Inkster just brought his musical ride back to the stage at Huron Country Playhouse. Astride his frisky hobby horse, in full dress red serge, Constable Inkster (or Finkster as the program says) welcomes theatre goers by frisking them. It’s Drayton Entertainment’s Neil Aitchison

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