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Chop, Chop, Woody! One of the unfortunate things about going to theatre regularly is that it becomes increasingly difficult to find fresh comedy that amuses us.  Some shows are too predictable, others repeat old jokes, and some just aren’t funny.  Even worse, some cast members aren’t funny.  So the more shows I go to, (for […]

Laughs Abound in Mother-Daughter Relationship  Old Wives’ Tales, now on stage in the lively Lake Erie village of Port Stanley, takes a look at three stages in the mother-daughter relationship.  And the laughter of recognition in the theatre is evidence that it struck a relationship with the audience. In the first scene, we meet the

Shania, Dolly, Patsy – and more! Country music fans should be on a pilgrimage to Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia.  They need to pay homage to the Women of Country, now on stage.  Six women sing more than 50 country songs.  For country music fans, this must be a little bit of heaven:    For the finale,

Razzle Dazzle ‘em! The production of Chicago now on stage at Huron Country Playhouse will razzle dazzle any audience.  It’s very well cast with entertainers who give it their all. But don’t go expecting to see a copy of the 2002 Oscar-winning movie.  The plot line has been around for a long time – the

Black History in Lucan There’s a fascinating story rooted in Lucan, but it seems that most of us in southwestern Ontario don’t know much about it.  A new play on stage in Blyth, The Wilberforce Hotel, tells some of that tale, but not enough.  It whetted my appetite and I came right home to google

Jekyll and Hyde Romance  Last Chance Romance now on stage at Playhouse II in Grand Bend, should be funny, but unfortunately misses the mark.  Drayton Entertainment has billed it as a “fun-filled laughfest” and yes, there are some laughs along the way.  But the billing also says it “crackles with humanity”, and that is where

Be Who You Wanna Be March 2016 Update:  The role of Lola is now played by Kyle Taylor Parker, and the role of Nicola is now played by Elena Juatco. Kinky Boots closes May 15, 2016 There hasn’t been this much fun on the stage of the Royal Alexandra Theatre since Mamma Mia! in 2000. 

Patent Infringement or GMO Fight? As usual, the Blyth Festival continues to offer unusual and exciting Canadian fare.  Their 2015 season has opened with a fascinating piece of documentary theatre. The play, Seeds, we are told, is a documentary:  the playwright recorded all conversations during her research and used the information verbatim in her play. 

The Battle of the Sexes To ease the audience into the Taming of the Shrew, it is set up as a play within a play.  The introduction has been modernized in this production: Tom Rooney welcomes everyone, shows off a rack of costumes and explains that this is his eighth season at Stratford, but the

An 18th Century Sit-Com She Stoops to Conquer has all the ingredients of a modern day sit-com, plus the comedy of mocking the foibles of the 1700s.  It’s always funny when the audience knows that a character has assumed a different identity, and because it is set in England in the 18th century, the class