So Sumi

For arts lovers, there’s nothing like autumn to get you excited about live theatre.

While the Toronto scene slows down during the warmer months, regional theatres are hives of activity.

While things are gearing up for a jam-packed fall theatre season – I’m really glad companies like Crow’s and Coal Mine are opening shows right after Labour Day, competing with TIFF, which never used to happen — I wanted to look back at a few recent plays…

“So... can you really teach comedy?”

After his delightful, fast-paced production of The 39 Steps last year, Tyler J.

Yes, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been one of the summer’s big box office successes.

When Georgia Findlay was nine years old, her favourite novel was Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

The 12-day Hamilton Fringe Festival continues at 16+ indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the city until Sunday (July 26).

I was worried that Jordi Mand’s Brontë: The World Without (Rating: ✭✭✭✭) might not suit an al fresco production at Scarborough’s Guild Festival Theatre.

Yeah I know, the Toronto Fringe just ended.

There’s nothing small about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (Rating: ✭✭✭✭). ✅ = Critic’s pick / ✭✭✭✭✭ = outstanding, among best of the year / ✭✭✭✭ = excellent / ✭✭✭ = recommended / ✭✭ or ✭ = didn’t work for me At nearly three hours, it’s long.

Confession: I’m not a big Leonard Cohen fan.

In a theatre ecology that’s full of bad news — attendance is down, shows are closing early, Patti LuPone can’t dock in Turkey or Egypt — one of the brightest lights is the success of Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody.

Heading into the final weekend of Toronto Fringe, I thought I’d post here briefly about some of my favourite shows, and give a few other Fringe-related thoughts.

When I review a show, I don’t normally mention the people around me at the theatre — unless, say, I’m at a play for young audiences or a family-friendly holiday pantomime and I want to draw on their reactions for some colour.