Are you afraid of the dark? Creator-performers John Doucet and Manon St-Jules (under the direction of co-creator Julie Le Gal) explore théâtre sans lumières in their new piece aptly titled Darkness. The piece itself does not take place on the ‘mainstage’ in the Studio lobby of Arts Court, but, in fact, in a rather small closet … Continue reading Trek Into ‘Darkness’ at Fresh Meat 5
‘Three’: Shows Skill and Sophistication of Improv Performers
Three presents an hilarious balance of improvised and scripted comedy that profits from the skill with which it straddles this boundary. Plants, a new company comprised of improv veterans, has brought its members' shared experience to bear on a loosely scripted piece that in its structure reminds me of a short story sequence, where each … Continue reading ‘Three’: Shows Skill and Sophistication of Improv Performers
‘SS Lightbulb’: Pleasantly Odd
This show was my pick for the weekend because I thought it might be odd. It was, and I was thoroughly pleased by its oddness. Second Step says they were formed from a desire to experiment and explore the ideas and techniques on stage that they’d always wanted to try. SS Lightbulb is a … Continue reading ‘SS Lightbulb’: Pleasantly Odd
What is the Space Jameration?
The opening weekend of Fresh Meat 5 features a few different kinds of comedy: improv in Three; elements of clown in Burger King Lear and S.S. Lightbulb; with Space Jameration we get stand-up, although the piece struggles with the distinction between the conventions of stand-up comedy and the comedic one-man show. Greg Houston proposes a … Continue reading What is the Space Jameration?
Burger King Lear is a Whopper of a Good Time
Skeleton Key’s Burger King Lear is one of the wackier pieces of Fresh Meat 5’s opening weekend – it’s a sharp performance of a funny and metatheatrical spin on a Shakespearean classic – but it is not without drawbacks. In 20 minutes Kate Smith tells the story of King Lear using a variety of fast-food … Continue reading Burger King Lear is a Whopper of a Good Time
Fire Up the Grills: Fresh Meat Five is Here!
Fire up the grills ‘cause it’s that time of year again! Fresh Meat Theatre Festival launches its 5th installment this evening at Arts Court Theatre with ten new(ish) companies that are repping all new work. With the steaks higher than ever this year, we’re trimming the fat and offering up three (ok four) of our … Continue reading Fire Up the Grills: Fresh Meat Five is Here!
Fresh Meat Sizzles
Fresh Meat Sizzles The latest edition of the Fresh Meat: DIY Theatre Fest this month proves not only that Arts Court is the place to check out up-and-coming theatre artists, but also that their art is something worth checking out. This year Fresh Meat offers up 10 bite-size performances spread over 2 weekends, with … Continue reading Fresh Meat Sizzles
Fresh Meat 4 (part 2)
Fresh Meat 4 Tolerance Slow Burn Ethel Mise-en-abyme Pan-dora I’ve been trying to get to a Fresh Meat festival for years now, and this weekend, I finally managed it. I was not disappointed. The second (and final) weekend of this year’s fest features a quintet of shows, one each by local artists THUNK!theatre, Chris Hanney … Continue reading Fresh Meat 4 (part 2)
Fresh Meat 4: What’s Happened and What’s to Come!
I don’t want to bore you any longer with how awesome I think the Fresh Meat DIY Theatre Festival is. You can read my preview of the first weekend of the 2015 festival here, and my reviews of past festivals here, here, and here. Instead, I’m going to throw these five, brand-new, twenty-minute theatre fillets … Continue reading Fresh Meat 4: What’s Happened and What’s to Come!
PREVIEW: Fresh Meat 4 is Fresher than Ever!
October is practically bursting at the seams with the numerous theatrical events taking place in Ottawa this month. The impressive Norman Conquests trilogy wrapped up at the Gladstone only a few days past and the remount of two wildly successful shows at the Fringe Encore happening this last weekend, we are now looking forward to the … Continue reading PREVIEW: Fresh Meat 4 is Fresher than Ever!
The New Ottawa Critics 