Category Archives: Books & Literature

Moving memoir from Molly

Posted on September 14, 2022 by barczablog

I’m re-reading Hello Molly, the memoir of Molly Shannon. It’s likely a bestseller mainly because of the fame of its author, a star on Saturday Night Live from 1995-2001. But I didn’t expect to be so moved, reading the book … Continue reading →

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Uncle Vanya

Posted on September 12, 2022 by barczablog

The new version of Uncle Vanya, by Liisa Repo-Martell, directed by Crow’s Artistic Director, Chris Abraham works very well. I loved it. Chekhov can be a challenge, possibly because he’s often put on such a high pedestal, his name spoken … Continue reading →

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Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes

Posted on September 9, 2022 by barczablog

Do you compartmentalize? I ask because it’s common, a given in a modern life. Whether we’re speaking of the things we do for work-life balance, as part of an artistic discipline or simply to get through a busy day, it’s … Continue reading →

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Sarah Polley & Terry Gilliam, The Torturer’s Apprentice

Posted on August 31, 2022 by barczablog

Violence is everywhere these days. Excuse me for stating the obvious. I’ve recently seen an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus that plays with our imaginations, encouraging us to feel for the people getting hurt in the play. Sometimes it’s much … Continue reading →

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Preview of immersive Titus

Posted on August 31, 2022 by barczablog

I’ve just seen a preview of Who’s Afraid of Titus, Sky Gilbert’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s early play Titus Andronicus. They used the Red Sandcastle Theatre, a space associated with horror through proprietor Eric Woolfe and his Eldritch Theatre cohort. No … Continue reading →

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Tanya’s Secret

Posted on August 27, 2022 by barczablog

Tanya’s Secret, a queer-trans Onegin, is a new adaptation of Eugene Onegin by Opéra Queens, that opened tonight at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. Let’s begin by remembering Tchaikovsky’s original: a piece full of beautiful melodies, a few wonderful arias, several … Continue reading →

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Who’s Afraid of Titus? Sky Gilbert isn’t.

Posted on August 10, 2022 by barczablog

The title Who’s Afraid of Titus? has at least three meanings I can see. 1: Performers who fear that audiences won’t come see an unfamiliar play. 2: Professors (Shakespeare theorists) confused by a play that doesn’t fit the usual template. … Continue reading →

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Competing icons at the RCM: Gould, Liszt and others

Posted on August 10, 2022 by barczablog

It’s a branding exercise to give a building a name. Roy Thomson has his hall. Both Rogers and Four Seasons have Centres. They already have The Glenn Gould School in the Royal Conservatory of Music. So why not also give … Continue reading →

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Immortal Glenn Gould

Posted on July 29, 2022 by barczablog

I want to write something about Glenn Gould. Who is he, what is his legacy in 2022? I’m thinking about what GG means to me as I anticipate Tapestry Opera’s premiere of Gould’s Wall, a new site-specific opera opening August … Continue reading →

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Rebuilding Janise: Andrew Smith’s labour of love

Posted on July 24, 2022 by barczablog

The cover picture is a disturbing metaphor for its subject. In 1992 Andrew and Janise were married. This poem “What Once Was”, is by Andrew Smith, posted in July 2022 on Facebook. what once was; is so long ago.two fools, … Continue reading →

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