Category Archives: Interviews

Questions for Will King – Seven Siblings Theatre

Will King is a graduate from the BFA Acting program at the University of Windsor. With training that includes the Moscow Art Theatre School, & workshops at R.A.D.A. the Stratford Festival, and the S.I.T.I. Company from New York, he is … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

No Forbidden Questions as Aaron & Michael talk about Verbotenlieder

Aaron Durand + Michael Nyby = Tongue in Cheek Productions. No that’s not a formula but come to think of it there is a curious creative chemistry, a tendency to energize. I find it exciting to talk to them, and … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Questions for Thomas Gough: Ebenezer Scrooge

If you go to the theatre in Toronto it’s quite possible you’ve seen Thomas Gough. He has an avuncular presence, perhaps a result of years as a teacher, and so he’s perfect for roles such as Brabantio in Othello or … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questions for Colin Ainsworth: Actéon and Pygmalion

Tenor Colin Ainsworth is one of the most versatile performers I know. While he regularly stars in period performance he has done lots of new works, including Victor Davies’ The Transit of Venus and Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna.  He has had … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hadrian’s Dramaturg: Questions for Cori Ellison

Cori Ellison is the Dramaturg for the Canadian Opera Company’s world premiere production of Hadrian¸composed by Rufus Wainwright and with libretto by Daniel MacIvor. Cori Ellison, a leading creative figure in the opera world, was recently appointed staff Dramaturg at … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A conversation with psychic Anastasia (Stacey) Agouros

I begin a bit differently on this occasion. I will speak about metaphysics & my beliefs. While I grew up infatuated with science, Hamlet put it nicely when he said There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Questions for Bruno Roy

Time flies. It seems like it was only yesterday that baritone Bruno Roy was a finalist in Centre Stage, the 2015 Ensemble Studio competition. The new voice that we had never heard before? He is now about to make his … Continue reading

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

Questions for David Fallis: Toronto Consort & Monteverdi’s Orfeo

When I interviewed David Fallis five and a half years ago concerning a period production of Der Freischütz my first sentence said that he “is surely one of the most important musical minds in Canada,” an assertion that has only gathered weight with … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Questions for Tracy Dahl

In the recent Canadian Opera Company Cosi fan tutte from just over 4 years ago, Tracy Dahl’s sparkling portrayal of Despina was the breath of fresh air that we desperately needed in Atom Egoyan’s dark intense interpretation. Here’s what I … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Leave a comment

Questions for Victor Davies: The Ecstasy of Rita Joe

Victor Davies is a Canadian composer whose work I have previously encountered in Toronto productions. His adaptation of Wilde’s comedy (in partnership with librettist Eugene Benson), called Earnest, The Importance of Being came to Toronto Operetta Theatre in 2015 (originally … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Opera, Politics, University life | 1 Comment