If you’re looking for something fun and edgy to watch this weekend, look no further than Little One currently playing at Live! On Elgin until this coming Saturday. This dark and sometimes sinister production carries a lot of emotional depth, not to mention some fantastic performances that will keep your eyes glued to the stage. … Continue reading “Little One” Brings Big Performances to Stage
“How Black Mother’s Say I Love You” is a Production with A Lot of Heart
If you’re looking for a family drama with an abundance of emotional depth and a production that runs like a well-oiled machine, look no further than How Black Mothers Say I Love You(HBMSILY), written by Trey Anthony, currently playing at the Irving Greenberg Centre until March 25th. Riding the success of previous play ‘da kink … Continue reading “How Black Mother’s Say I Love You” is a Production with A Lot of Heart
From stage to screen, Ottawa gets a taste of Stratford
By Tamara LaPlante Stratford Festival is taking Romeo & Juliet on a road trip, as the popular Shakespearean production travels to cities across Canada today. Originally part of the Stratford Festival’s 2017 season, the stage production ran from May 3 to Oct. 21, but today will be screened in three Cineplex theatres in Ottawa, among … Continue reading From stage to screen, Ottawa gets a taste of Stratford
Throwback Thursday: Reflections on “Daughter”
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”
Dark Day Monday Meets Dark Day Monday
Written by Thea Fitz-James and Wesley Babcock WHAT IS DARK DAY MONDAY TO US? We planted our feet in Toronto, and put down roots. As performers and producers, we knew of many comedy spots, storytelling shows, and performance art showcases in the city. But we could think of few showcases that brought different performance forms, … Continue reading Dark Day Monday Meets Dark Day Monday
“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 New Ottawa Critics 