Category Archives: Dance, theatre & musicals

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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Interviewing Mike Fan | 范祖铭 (they) aka Tanya Smania (she): probing Tatyana’s Secret

Posted on August 25, 2022 by barczablog

I’m intrigued by the upcoming production of Tanya’s Secret produced by Opera Queens, an adaptation of Eugene Onegin, a work that seems to invite questions. Mike Fan | 范祖铭 (they) aka Tanya Smania (she) is the artistic director and driving … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Opera, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Popular music & culture, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Gould’s Wall

Posted on August 6, 2022 by barczablog

Tapestry Opera have premiered Brian Current’s new site-specific work Gould’s Wall, an event that adds another layer to the association between the Royal Conservatory of Music and one of their most distinguished alumni Glenn Gould. I like it more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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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Scary Dead Broke

Posted on July 11, 2022 by barczablog

I saw Will King’s darkly comic Dead Broke today at the Toronto Fringe. I was blown away by King’s first play From the Water in December 2018, amazingly good for a first play. This one is better, unfolding in a … Continue reading →

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TSO + Rajaton = ABBA

Posted on June 30, 2022 by barczablog

This week the Toronto Symphony under their pops conductor Steven Reineke presented three concerts of the music of ABBA featuring Rajaton, the Finnish vocal ensemble. While they describe themselves as an a cappella ensemble –singing their vocals accompanied—it was electrifying … Continue reading →

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The Mel Brooks Songbook

Posted on June 29, 2022 by barczablog

Happy Birthday Mel Brooks. He turned 96 today. And no joke, there really is a Mel Brooks Songbook. When I picked it up from the shelf in the Indigo bookstore I was a bit disbelieving myself. Mel Brooks, songwriter? The … Continue reading →

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