Category Archives: Dance, theatre & musicals

The Tempest Replica: Icing and Cake

Posted on May 8, 2014 by barczablog

Tonight Toronto got another look at Kidd Pivot, Crystal Pite’s company from out west.  While this may be new to us, it’s not really new.  Just as Dark Matters –brought to Toronto by Canadian Stage back in 2012— was already … Continue reading →

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The Miller and his Wife

Posted on March 16, 2014 by barczablog

There were two distinct parts to Puppetmongers’ shows today.   First came the magic, then the magicians –Ann and David Powell—explained their tricks. The program is among their oldest works.  The Miller was first presented in 1974 and its sequel The … Continue reading →

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Sondheim not quite by Sondheim

Posted on March 8, 2014 by barczablog

Marry Me A Little is 75 minutes or so of songs written by Stephen Sondheim.  These are songs that were cut from other shows and then assembled into a play by a bunch of other people.  It’s new at the … Continue reading →

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Unexpected WWI Cabaret

Posted on February 28, 2014 by barczablog

When I say “World War I” what pops into your head? Mustard gas? Trench warfare: a stalemate in muddy battlefields? In Flanders Fields: a desperately sad poem about honour? A war of attrition? The end of illusions about heroism and … Continue reading →

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Questions about WWI. (Re)Visions of the Aftermath

Posted on February 23, 2014 by barczablog

WWI. (Re)Visions of the Aftermath, presented this week at Theatre Glendon beginning Wednesday February 26, is an exercise in history & story-telling, both onstage and inter-actively through social media. What was World War I? What impact did it have, perhaps still … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews | 2 Comments

Ronnie Burkett—The Daisy Theatre

Posted on February 20, 2014 by barczablog

If “OuZooooonian” is Ronnie Burkett’s scary word for the dark place of judgment beyond the proscenium in Toronto there’s probably a comparable word in every other city. I am not sure which sort of virtuosity is most impressive. The brilliant … Continue reading →

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Martin’s music

Posted on February 4, 2014 by barczablog

I’ve crossed over to the other side.  I’m sitting onstage rather than in the audience for a student production at Ryerson, playing an electronic keyboard alongside capable student singers & musicians.  As I mentioned in a recent post, I’ve been … Continue reading →

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Adapting Martin Chuzzlewit

Posted on January 24, 2014 by barczablog

Just had the first run of Martin Chuzzlewit which I am directing at Ryerson. It is by Charles Dickens in a great adaptation by Michael Hollingsworth. The text has sixty seven scenes and forty characters. Dickens thought the novel his … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, University life | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Last of Romeo & Juliet

Posted on January 12, 2014 by barczablog

It works. I just attended the Saturday matinee of The Last of Romeo and Juliet by Talk is Free Theatre at Barrie’s Mady Centre for the Performing Arts. The salient question on this occasion is the one that often comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 2 Comments

(Q + A) x 300: questions and conversations

Posted on January 1, 2014 by barczablog

This is the moment when bloggers look at their annual stats, notice trends, and perhaps say thank you to the community that supports them. According to my stats I posted 232 different items over 365 days. This is a moment … Continue reading →

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