In the early 1960s, Charles Manson was just a young, petty criminal known as Little Charlie. By the summer of ’69, Manson had become an infamous cult leader responsible for inciting the brutal slayings of nine people. In between, he was incarcerated in the same Washington State prison as Alvin “Creepy” Karpis, a Canadian bank […]
Kate Watson
Posted inArts + Music
An encore for Atlantic Fringe Festival
The 25th Atlantic Fringe Festival back in September was a stellar affair, but if you missed it, don’t despair. Re-Fringed, a mini-festival featuring some of the most popular shows from AFF 2015, is coming to the Bus Stop Theatre March 23 through 26. The five shows which are being remounted represent a variety of theatrical […]
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A merry band of Merritt winners
Stories about the power of community were front and centre at the 2016 Merritt Awards. From Two Planks’ director Ken Schwartz’s hilarious tale of the entire cast of The Tempest soldiering on through a bout of the evocatively-named “poop flu” to Emerging Theatre Artist Award-winner Colleen MacIsaac’s generous donation of her Merritt winnings to the […]
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Merritt’s privateers
Hosting the Merritt Awards is a familiar gig for local actor Marty Burt, but that doesn’t mean it’s a cakewalk. Burt, who returns to the podium for the fifth time for this celebration of the best in Nova Scotian theatre, says he walks a fine line. “When you’re roasting people who are your peers and […]
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Oppression, gossip and Hedda Gabler
There’s nothing warm and fuzzy about Hedda Gabler. In fact, the titular character in Ibsen’s 1890 drama about a spirited young woman trapped in a boring marriage is sly, cruel and totally self-involved. But according to actor Margaret Legere, that doesn’t mean the character is not relatable, and perhaps even a teensy bit likeable. “She […]
Posted inArts + Music
Oppression, gossip and Hedda Gabler
There’s nothing warm and fuzzy about Hedda Gabler. In fact, the titular character in Ibsen’s 1890 drama about a spirited young woman trapped in a boring marriage is sly, cruel and totally self-involved. But according to actor Margaret Legere, that doesn’t mean the character is not relatable, and perhaps even a teensy bit likeable. “She […]
Posted inArts + Music
Deerly beloved, Neptune’s Stag & Doe delivers on laughs
Weddings are meant to be a celebration of love, but all too often this sentiment gets hijacked by the pressures of delivering a “perfect day.” Neptune Theatre’s winter comedy Stag & Doe explores in a humorous and affectionate way the perils of losing focus on what really matters. The play opens in a community […]
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Top 10 plays of 2015
A Good Death (DaPoPo Theatre) The fact that I’m still thinking about this play, the first of over 100 I saw in the past year, is a testament to its power and beauty. Kim Parkhill’s finely crafted script explores the emotionally fraught topic of assisted suicide. An impressive all-female cast and gorgeous production design. —KW […]
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A Year with Frog and Toad review: Jokes without croaks
A Year with Frog and Toad is a delightful family musical that follows two amphibious BFFs through four seasons. Together, the irascible Toad (Shane Carty) and the sweetly sincere Frog (Justin Goodhand) enjoy gentle adventures and explore what it means to be a true friend. And although this Year may be light on plot, it’s […]
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Black Dragon Mountain’s problems lead to understanding
Thanks to a play that has never been seen, Halifax’s theatre community has been called upon to take a hard look at how it can move towards cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in its theatres. Roy Ellis’ Black Dragon Mountain incited an impassioned discussion on social media when promotional materials went out showing non-Chinese actors in […]
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Controversy opens dialogue on cultural diversity
Playwright Roy Ellis didn’t set out to offend anyone. His play, Black Dragon Mountain, originally slated to run at the Bus Stop Theatre from November 12th to the 18th, was intended to a be a fusion of Peking Opera and a modern fable that created something “hilarious, lewd and poignant”. However, once the marketing materials […]
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Broadway Atlantic debuts with The Sound of Music
Coffee-drinkers look up from their cups as Matthew Beasant pushes open the door at Two If By Sea on a drizzly Dartmouth afternoon. There’s an aura of barely contained excitement about the solid, bearded young man, and he moves with quiet confidence—as if he’s on a mission. And that’s not very far from the truth. […]