Production: Shakespeare’s Universe (Her Infinite Variety)

By: Peter Hinton

Director: Peter Hinton

Principle Actors: Peggy Coffey, Laura Condlln, Matthew McFadzean, Karen Robinson, Michael Spencer Davis, Dayna Tekatch

Where: Stratford Festival Of Canada

Venue: Festival Pavilion

Run: July 22^nd to September 28^th 2008

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey (Ontario Correspondent – Canada)

Held in the tempestuous climate of Stratford this season, Shakespeare’s Universe (Her Inifinite Variety) was an outdoor event setup on the grounds of the Festival Theatre. The brain-child of theatre-savant-director Peter Hinton, Shakespeare’s Universe is a pleasing foil for Hinton (which he wrote and directed) to his directing of Taming of The Shrew this season. Perhaps one of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays, Taming Of The Shrew is all about the male/female dynamic, so what better way for Hinton to explore this subject matter further than a play he has penned himself about women in Shakespeare’s time? Add a comment

Production: Broad Comedy

Written by: Katie Goodman & Soren Kisiel

Directed by: Katie Goodman

Cast: Joan Jankowski, Shayna Gibson, Erin Roberg, Katie Goodman

Theatre: Performance Works, Granville Island

Showing: Sept 5, 7, 8, 10, 13-14

Rating: 18+

Reviewed by: Colette Gunson (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

Daring, witty and flat-out funny, Broad Comedy serves up sixty minutes of energetic sketch comedy and musical satire that will have you laughing, blushing and begging for more. These four fabulously talented broads from Bozeman (Montana) sing, dance and rap about the trials and tribulations of being a modern day woman. Boys, don’t be afraid—you may be slightly outnumbered in the audience (which isn’t such a bad thing, is it?), but this is definitely a show that everyone can enjoy—as long as you possess a sense of humour. Add a comment

Production: Moby Dick

Novel By: Herman Melville, Adapted By: Morris Panych

Director: Morris Panych

Principle Actors: David Ferry, Shaun Smyth, W. Joseph Matheson, Marcus Nance

Where: Stratford Festival Of Canada 

Venue: Studio Theatre

Run: July 22^nd to October 18^th 2008

Commissioned and premiered at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey (Ontario Correspondent – Canada)

What do you make of a play without words? Would you be pleasantly surprised? What if dancing was involved, and classical music, would that help? Well, one of the most anticipated productions of the Stratford Festival Of Canada this year would have to be Moby Dick….without words…but with dancing and a little Debussy. Usually when I go to the theatre and dancing and music take centre stage, I would call that a ballet. Perhaps the Stratford Festival has not been so much progressive with this production as subtly slipped it into another category. Whatever the case, Moby Dick was a delight to watch. Add a comment

Company: Ten Foot Pole Productions

Written & Directed by: Rob Salerno

Cast: Adam Goldhamer & Rob Salerno

Theatre: Playwrights’ Theatre, Granville Island 

Showing: Sept 4-6, 10, 13-14

Rating: 14+

Vancouver Fringe Festival 2008

Reviewed by: Colette Gunson (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

A nostalgic coming-of-age story about two best friends who are torn apart when one of them dies of testicular cancer. Written with the care, respect and understanding of someone whose life has been affected by the illness, Balls! is full of humour without making light of the issue. Add a comment