If you were one of the lucky ones to nab tickets to the one-night-only performance of Adam Lazarus’ Daughter at this year’s undercurrents, then you will no doubt understand what I mean when I say that it is almost quite literally one of the worst shows you will ever sit through. Don’t get me wrong, … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: Reflections on “Daughter”
“Snack Music” Satisfies The Creative Taste Buds
SNAFU dance brings a lively and energetic late-night offering to this year’s undercurrents festival with Snack Music, a highly physical show with heavy elements of improv comedy and object theatre: imagine telling an audience an embarrassing story about yourself and then watching three purple jumpsuit-clad actors retell it using food props and synthesizer sound effects. … Continue reading “Snack Music” Satisfies The Creative Taste Buds
“Forstner & Fillister” Level with Masculinity
Every year undercurrents usually brings back a few artists that have been involved with the festival before, but with Forstner & Fillister comes the only chance this year to see a show that has previously appeared as a work in development in the same setting. Everything you love about the previous undercurrents or even the … Continue reading “Forstner & Fillister” Level with Masculinity
“How to Disappear Completely”: A Deeply Personal Story that Shines a Light on Tech. Theatre
Itai Erdal’s How to Disappear Completely is completely non-fiction: partly a memoir on the deterioration of his mother’s condition after her cancer diagnosis, the show fascinatingly is also something of an intro to theatrical lighting design. Erdal keeps the connection understated between these two halves, so while at times the show seems to ramble, most … Continue reading “How to Disappear Completely”: A Deeply Personal Story that Shines a Light on Tech. Theatre
“The Twilight Parade”: Looks Cool, but Comes On a Little Strong
IAN: STO Union’s The Twilight Parade is a genuinely impressive undertaking: a 70-minute hand-animated film entirely put together by local community members, while 8 voice actors provide live voiceover. This family-friendly (for the most part) show follows a young fairy-like creature and the residents of a small town as they address the lack of love … Continue reading “The Twilight Parade”: Looks Cool, but Comes On a Little Strong
Luna Allison Talks “Shit”
So this year the work-in-progress show at undercurrents is called The Shit Show, a 25-minute musing on our cultural fascination with and refutation of feces. Since this is a work-in-progress I can’t really evaluate this as a production unto itself, but I will speak to the concept and what steps creator/performer Luna Allison has taken … Continue reading Luna Allison Talks “Shit”
“Indigenous Walks” Sets a New Pace for Canadian Art History
Admittedly I was not super looking forward to a walking tour in this frigid hell we call the Capital City; however, Indigenous Walks marks an almost necessary experience for any individual in Ottawa- local or otherwise. Taking us around the Byward Market, our guide (re)introduced us to many Indigenous artworks seemingly hidden in the area … Continue reading “Indigenous Walks” Sets a New Pace for Canadian Art History
“The Pipeline Project” Strikes Gold
Ian: The Pipeline Project has a lot going for it: it’s well-written and -performed, it deals with issues that directly affect Canadians, and with Kevin Loring’s involvement it also serves as something of a teaser for the upcoming Indigenous Theatre stream at the National Arts Centre. What strikes me the most about this production, however, … Continue reading “The Pipeline Project” Strikes Gold
“Little Boxes” Has Giant Stage Presence
Ian: I have to say my first night at undercurrents 2018 really blew me away, with two mainstage shows that examine major issues bubbling under the surface of Canadian society and a workshop production that’s already taking its unusual premise in fun directions. The first show of the night was Little Boxes, an exploration of … Continue reading “Little Boxes” Has Giant Stage Presence
Undercurrents 2018 Launch: Undercurrents Gets Politcal
The undercurrents theatre festival has made a name for itself by trying to showcase some of this country’s boldest theatre performances here in the Capital city. Last year saw the exhilarating stage presence of Sébastien Heins and the bass-thumping Brotherhood: the Hip Hopera, not to mention the audio-adventure that was Ghost River Theatre’s Tomorrow’s Child. … Continue reading Undercurrents 2018 Launch: Undercurrents Gets Politcal
The New Ottawa Critics 