Despite gloomy predictions of the future of indie theatre in these trying economic times (anyone else about done with that phrasing?) it's heartening to see ever more new and driven companies springing up in Vancouver. Companies with something to say, and the desire to say it from the stage. Companies with more passion than money,… Continue reading A theatre company starter kit: Zee Zee Theatre’s ‘Whale Riding Weather’
Category: Vancouver theatre
At last: Craig’s List and Steve Fonyo set to music
Seriously, sometimes theatre marketing is all in the titles. Tonight's line up at Club PuSh (the temporary entertainer's lounge set up on Granville Island for the duration of the festival that I wish was a real bar in Vancouver all year round) jumps right off the page. Two Twenty-Minute Musicals begin the entertainment tonight, followed… Continue reading At last: Craig’s List and Steve Fonyo set to music
Funky Cold Medea
Tonight I was treated to a long-overdue fix of classical stage by the theatre department at the University of British Columbia. They are ambitiously tackling the Greek tragedy Medea, and as much as I talk about the importance of staging contemporary theatre in Vancouver as a necessity towards growing a new, as yet uninitiated audience,… Continue reading Funky Cold Medea
The Next Stage: Now with UQ Events listings
Hey, Vancouver theatre companies, have you jumped on the UQ Events train yet? It's a social-network-y site that is poised to become a real influencer in Vancouver's entertainment scene, and a great fit for indie theatre promotions. It's a fantastic service, and it's free. The folks running the site are seriously cool, too. Here's how… Continue reading The Next Stage: Now with UQ Events listings
This one goes to eleven: Jay Brazeau
To open our year in theatre interviews we are very pleased to present a mainstay of the Vancouver stage industry, and a pillar of our arts community. Jay is a theatre actor/writer/director and also works steadily in the TV/film industry. He could actually be our hardest working man in show business. Jay is directing Jeffrey… Continue reading This one goes to eleven: Jay Brazeau
PuShing our potential
The 5th annual PuSh International Performing Arts Festival opens tomorrow. This, Vancouver, is a very big deal. It's something you should know about, certainly something you should support, but most importantly something you should talk about, to all those people in your life who may have the slightest bit of interest in seeing this city… Continue reading PuShing our potential
Electric Company gets name-dropped in American Theatre Magazine
It's nice to know we're getting noticed by our industry neighbours downstairs. This month's issue of American Theatre magazine, the bi-monthly publication of the Theatre Communications Group (America's advocacy organization for the not-for-profit theatre sector) has an article discussing the potential of new-media projection theatre bringing in a fresh young audience. How are we to… Continue reading Electric Company gets name-dropped in American Theatre Magazine
2008: A tough act to follow
Well, that was a hell of a year. I spent more time over the last twelve months submerged in independent theatre than in all of my previous years combined. Through this blog, and through explorations with my own company, I've been diving straight towards the heart of this form in an effort to come to… Continue reading 2008: A tough act to follow
PuSh Festival puts out call for volunteers
Whoa, immersed as I have been in our latest production, I totally forgot that the magnificent PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is coming up fast. Get ready for it, Vancouver. PuSh is much more than an annual cultural feast for Vancouver: it is a broker of international partnerships, a meeting place for creative minds, a… Continue reading PuSh Festival puts out call for volunteers
This one goes to eleven: Victoria Bidewell
Last week I dealt with my post-play post-partum by going to see somebody else's work: In the Boom Boom Room, David Rabe's 1970s risk-taking opus about the wide-eyed, determined young go-go dancer Chrissy. In this roll Victoria owns the Studio 16 stage, and if you missed it, they're holding over December 3, 4 and 5.… Continue reading This one goes to eleven: Victoria Bidewell
Green Thumb Theatre has a blog (?!)
Did you know that Green Thumb Theatre has a blog? I didn't, until just now. How did I not know that Green Thumb Theatre had a blog? And to top it all off, it's awesome! For those of you unfamiliar with this company, GTT... Creates and produces plays that explore social issues relevant to the… Continue reading Green Thumb Theatre has a blog (?!)
Riding the elephant
Several people have engaged me in nervous overtones about parts of our recent interview with local theatre critic Peter Birnie (none, however, in the comments section. I've got to find a way to make that a more attractive prospect. Any ideas? Leave 'em in the comments section.), wherein he prognosticates dark times ahead for our… Continue reading Riding the elephant
New on the V-List: In the Boom Boom Room
For full details on this production, click here.
This one goes to eleven: Peter Birnie
I'm fascinated by our relationship with the critics. When I hear members of the theatre community talk about them, it's always with an amazing degree of passion, one way or the other. Nobody, it seems, is ever indifferent to them. I think it's great, and a good indication that they hold some position of importance… Continue reading This one goes to eleven: Peter Birnie
Great production pics: Billy Bishop in Deep Cove
Further to Rebecca's post on production pics, I love these ones sent to me by actor Damon Calderwood promoting his company's 30th anniversary production of the musical Billy Bishop Goes to War at the Deep Cove Shaw Theatre. I'm a sucker for anything WWII related, especially the RAF (I wanted desperately to be a Spitfire… Continue reading Great production pics: Billy Bishop in Deep Cove
Simon Ogden 