Playing a character of a different cultural background requires actors to delve into that culture’s social and political contexts in order to play that character fairly without falling into caricature (unless that is the explicit point). A piece of art becomes problematic, however, when it chooses to adopt very a specific culture but ignores its … Continue reading “pachiv!” is a Shallow Portrait of Romani People
“The Adventures of Red Rascal” has Potential to be Truly Exciting
Full disclosure: I was lucky enough to be invited to the first ever script read through of The Adventures of Red Rascal, written by Jake William Smith and premiering at the 2015 Ottawa Fringe Festival. I remember discussing with the other members at the table how the text was to only be the backdrop upon … Continue reading “The Adventures of Red Rascal” has Potential to be Truly Exciting
“Two Girls, One Corpse” Needs Polishing
Two Girls, One Corpse might not have the freshest narrative when it comes to their overall premise but the killer rapport between the two performers on stage definitely makes up for it. There has been a resurgence of a particular story line in recent years, where the plot rests on the idea that the characters … Continue reading “Two Girls, One Corpse” Needs Polishing
“Damaged Goods” is Well Worth Seeing
I have little to no experience in the world of dance. My knowledge in this art form spans eight or nine seasons of So You Think You Can Dance and one trip to the Festival Trans-Ameriques in Montreal (plus a handful of shows I've seen through NAC Dance). However, I enjoy going to see dance … Continue reading “Damaged Goods” is Well Worth Seeing
“Evening of Sin” Brings Burlesque to Ottawa Fringe
I’m not someone who has ever been uncomfortable with sexuality and the body on stage. Performances that try to reclaim or redefine the physical form or normative ideas and stereotypes often do so by titillating or challenging one’s preconceptions through elements of discomfort and/or arousal. So, when I discovered there was to be a burlesque … Continue reading “Evening of Sin” Brings Burlesque to Ottawa Fringe
“Hannah & George” is Aggressively Adorable
Full disclosure: I was incredibly doubtful when I first encountered this piece at the last year’s Fresh Meat Theatre Festival. I had little confidence that Kevin Reid, reviewer turned actor of almost no stage experience, could pull off a clown show with much success. Obviously these are some most unfair expectations to have going into … Continue reading “Hannah & George” is Aggressively Adorable
“Three Men in a Boat” is a ‘Bon’ Voyage
The second that Matt Pilipiak blew into his tuning whistle to begin the utterly British “Eton Boating Song” at the Ottawa Fringe Festival Preview Night, I was sold on this show. A stage adaptation of Jerome K. Jerome’s 1889 travelogue Three Men in a Boat, the gentlemen at Pea Green Theatre Group bring you a … Continue reading “Three Men in a Boat” is a ‘Bon’ Voyage
“I Think My Boyfriend Should Have an Accent” Asks the Important Questions
A very personal, introspective journey that examines how people overcome their differences (often by creating new ones), Emily Pearlman’s I Think My Boyfriend Should Have an Accent… (and other things you shouldn’t say out loud) is certainly a heavy-hitting show. Recounting her personal experiences while travelling, Pearlman recalls the tensions that crawl up into interpersonal … Continue reading “I Think My Boyfriend Should Have an Accent” Asks the Important Questions
The New Ottawa Critics 