It happens. Sometimes when we feel super passionate about something we run the risk of biting off more than we can chew. Last week when we published our article for the first weekend of the Fresh Meat Theatre Festival, we brought up some issues that were far too big for one piece to thoroughly and … Continue reading Fresh Meat 6: Weekend 2 Round Up
Fresh Meat 6 Weekend 1 Round Up
Author’s Note: Last edited on October 16th, October 20th November 2, 2017. This article has been edited from a previous version to better articulate some critical analysis of Fresh Meat’s mandate for diversity. These conversations are important to have and it’s important to choose our words carefully. These edits reflect the author’s development in thinking … Continue reading Fresh Meat 6 Weekend 1 Round Up
D is for Diversity
Fresh Meat Theatre Festival just opened their call for submissions for their 6th annual edition, and have also taken some really exciting steps towards increasing the diversity of programming available in the awareness of the Ottawa theatre community. What’s the big deal about diversity anyways? Diversity exists on a (ha ha) wide range of axes, … Continue reading D is for Diversity
“’Oh No!’ Said the Parrot”, “Oh, Yes!” Said the Critic
Aplombusrhombus blew Fringe audiences away this past summer with their hilarious, yet heartbreaking pantomime show Cardinal and now dynamic duo Madeleine Hall and Mitchell Rose are here at the Fresh Meat Theatre Festival presenting their creepy comedy “Oh No!” said the parrot. Creating a universe in which humor and horror exist on the same spectrum, … Continue reading “’Oh No!’ Said the Parrot”, “Oh, Yes!” Said the Critic
“7 Minutes in Heaven”: A Highly Intimate Performance for One
Madeleine Boyes-Manseau has created a uniquely extravagant seven-minutes closet/boudoir for this production that, true to its billing, is indeed a highly intimate performance for one. In 7 Minutes in Heaven, Boyes-Manseau explores this theme of intimacy, particularly in its relation to the objectification of our bodies and to desire. Rather than tell you the … Continue reading “7 Minutes in Heaven”: A Highly Intimate Performance for One
Will Somers Plays to His Strengths in “Pierre Brault”
There is a back-story to this piece that informs its content without requiring knowledge of its particulars. I’ll include this back-story later on, because, I’m sure Will Somers is sick to death of explaining this context, and moreover, it isn’t the point. The point is that in this show, Will Somers reveals something truly resonant … Continue reading Will Somers Plays to His Strengths in “Pierre Brault”
“Crow’s Nest” a Promising Hatchling
Rapscallion Diversion’s Crow’s Nest has its issues in its current 20-minute incarnation, but these issues don’t hide its potential as a more developed, ‘feature-length’ play. Crow’s Nest takes up the story of Donald Crowhurst, a British amateur sailor who entered the first ever nonstop round-the-world sailboat competition in 1968. Despite his lack of experience, he … Continue reading “Crow’s Nest” a Promising Hatchling
“TEAD Talks” Has Lots of Character, Lacks Substance
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 4-ish years, you’ve probably watched a TED Talk or two. Deborah Ring, in her new piece TEAD Talks, pokes fun at TED’s very familiar segment style and through some comedic performances enlightens her audience about “Ideas Not Worth Spreading”. While the characterizations are certainly entertaining … Continue reading “TEAD Talks” Has Lots of Character, Lacks Substance
“Boy vs. Chair” Embraces the Spirit of Fresh Meat
Two Kind Boys, riding the wave of their successful Ottawa Fringe debut Rideshares and Rope Swings, are rather less successful with their Fresh Meat debut Boy vs. Chair, though Fresh Meat is the perfect venue to get as experimental as this show does. The basic premise is explained pretty succinctly by the title, but the … Continue reading “Boy vs. Chair” Embraces the Spirit of Fresh Meat
‘Unzipping the Cat’: a Profound Reflection on Death and Pets
Statistically speaking, in 2014, more than half of Canadian households owned pets; which means that most people have probably been a pet owner at some point in their life (if not currently). Being a pet owner comes with its own set of unique responsibilities and relationships that Kevin Reid explores in his new piece Unzipping … Continue reading ‘Unzipping the Cat’: a Profound Reflection on Death and Pets
The New Ottawa Critics 