Author Archives: barczablog

Hurry September

Posted on August 10, 2011 by barczablog

In the middle of a driving rainstorm, my doorbell rang this morning.  The mailman, bless his heart, was dropping off a bundle just as the heavens opened to drench the guy,  and my mail. Among the wet items was –oh … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Out At Sea

Posted on August 6, 2011 by barczablog

Out at Sea, Slawomir Mrożek’s absurd fable was just what the doctor ordered. For the past few months I’ve overdosed on politics: I learned a new verb: “kettling” Conservatives won election after election, with a tory trifecta lurking in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The comedy of competence: several species of drag

Posted on July 29, 2011 by barczablog

Amy Winehouse reminds me of Judy Garland.  They both had big powerful voices, larger than life really.  They were both known for excessive use of make-up and drugs.  Given that Garland and her daughter Liza Minelli have a huge following … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Marat/Sade

Posted on July 20, 2011 by barczablog

Last night I watched the opening of Soup Can Theatre’s new production of Peter Weiss’ Marat/Sade, or to use its full title The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Il Trovatore

Posted on July 10, 2011 by barczablog

Verisimilitude may be a tad over-rated.  Tonight I witnessed a concert performance of Verdi’s Il Trovatore by Toronto’s Opera By Request.  It’s habitual to apologize for what’s missing in these virtual renditions, that have music stands instead of sets, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If you build it will they come…?

Posted on July 8, 2011 by barczablog

Tonight I saw the opening of Guild Festival Theatre, an ambitious company taking the stage in The Greek Theatre in Guildwood Park. This is the former site of the Guild Inn,  in Guildwood Village.  There really was a “guild” at … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Codex Nocturno

Posted on June 27, 2011 by barczablog

I suspect this is going to be a long review, so for those of you who need the executive summary up front, yes I liked it.  Go see Codex Nocturno!!   I will make an effort to see it again before … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Svadba-Wedding

Posted on June 25, 2011 by barczablog

I experienced one of the great joys tonight at a new opera.  For awhile I was lost.  In a world of GPS precision and universal surveillance, it’s very hard to be so engrossed as to not know where you are. … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Cosy and Hungarian

Posted on June 22, 2011 by barczablog

Following the uprising in 1956, we were blessed for a time with a neighbourhood of Hungarian restaurants. Magyar refugees poured into the downtown Toronto area, leaving their mark in Kensington Market, as well as the stretch of Bloor St West … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A genuine Bali high

Posted on June 14, 2011 by barczablog

There are nine musicians in Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan(aka “ECCG”), and judging by the works presented tonight, this is an ambitious group eagerly embracing new disciplines & styles, while welcoming a diverse assortment of collaborators. I was drawn to this … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment