Cut & paste of Christmas theatre occurring around town!

Lots of Christmas theatre happening around town. Theme – tradition with a twist!

@ the Belfry

The Human Statues

2nd Annual Christmas Spectacular
Sunday, December 6 at 8 pm

Tickets 250-385-6815
$15 (advance) / $18 (door)
Folk – pop sensations The Human Statues return to the Belfry to spread the jubilation this holiday season.

Human Statues

The Human Statues are a Toronto-based folk-pop duo who are frequently likened to a blend of Beatles pop, Simon and Garfunkel folk, Flight of the Conchords humour and Jackson Five dance moves. This will be a great show.

Cinderella

@Royal Theatre. Cinderella “This brand new Cinderella will take place in Victoria, BC, circa turn-of-the- century, and be visually molded on the black and white silent films of the time that were projected in movie theatres such as the McPherson Playhouse (Pantages Theatre).” December 27 to 29. 2pm and 7:30pm. Ticket Prices: $50 – $40 – $30 – $25 (plus applicable Box Office charges); Seniors and Students: 20% Discount; Children: Half Price.

See website for more details

@ the McPherson Playhouse.The Nutcracker Suite and the Sugar Plum Fair

The ultimate holiday treat and a joy for the whole family! Canadian Pacific Ballet’s Nutcracker Suite follows Clara’s magical Christmas dream from her family’s holiday party and the gift of a mysterious Nutcracker doll, through a battle between mice and soldiers, an escape through a snowy forest into the Palace of the Sugar Plum Fairie, where Clara is presented the dances and gifts of all the sweets of the land. Narrated by an aged Clara Staulbaum, “The Nutcracker Suite” is sure to enchant audiences of all ages.
Don’t miss this chance to enjoy all the classic Nutcracker moments, with the additional magic of a Sugar Plum Fair, an interactive transformation of the McPherson Lobby, where children, young and old, can enjoy the sweets of the land.

The Nutcracker Suite and Sugar Plum Ball December 30th, 2009 Closing night of Canadian Pacific Ballet’s “The Nutcracker Suite” extends the magic into a Gala Reception, including a Silent Auction and a Sugar Plum Ball.
Come dance the night away with the Sugar Plum Fairie and her glittering Courtiers!

December 29, at 2pm & 7pm
Tickets: $46.50, $41.50, $36.50; $10.00 off for seniors and children.

More details and to purchase tickets see website.

Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre presents:
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – THE RADIO PLAY
McPherson Playhouse
December 19, at 7:30pm
Tickets: $22.50 for adults; $12.50 for children 12 and under
————

It’s a Wonderful Life to be staged as ‘40s style radio show in conjunction with First Annual Art Auction fundraising event.

Thea Gill of Queer as Folk to play Mary Bailey; Janet Wright of Corner Gas to play ‘Mrs.’ Potter.

In the immortal words of Clarence, heaven’s hardest working angel-in-training from Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film, It’s a Wonderful Life, “No one is a failure who has friends.”

Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre is thrilled to announce some of Canada’s finest actors and some of Victoria’s brightest new talent will gather at the McPherson Playhouse for one hilarious, fun-filled presentation of Frank Capra’s classic film It’s a Wonderful Life adapted to the stage as a ‘40s style radio show.

“I like to think of this event as a Christmas card from our new company to Victoria’s devoted theatre patrons,” said Brian Richmond, President and Producing Artistic Director. “We’ve enjoyed unprecedented success in our first year and at an unusually challenging point in world economic history. Blue Bridge is very grateful to its Victoria friends for their support and so we intend to give back with this special show.”

Thea Gill, best known for her starring role in the five-season Showcase hit, Queer as Folk, will play Mary Bailey.
In an ingenious twist on casting, Janet Wright of the hit television sit-com Corner Gas, has agreed to portray the mean and miserly Potter. Casting is still in progress and a more comprehensive list will follow once all artists are confirmed.

For those who enjoy the ‘fine art’ of giving, plan to place your bid on any one of our selected artworks at our First Annual Art Auction. Bidding starts at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby via silent auction. Works have been donated by several accomplished visual artists, courtesy of Winchester Galleries, including -

- Shushan Egoyan
- George Gordienko
- Adam Noonan
- Manish Om Prakesh
- Duncan Regehr
- Deidre Robert
- Iola Scott

- Marney Ward

see website

@ the McPhersonThe Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Kaleidoscope Theatre December 5 & 11, at 7 pm; December 6 & 13, at 2 pm; December 12, 4 pm

http;//www.kaleidoscope.bc.ca

This hilarious story concerns the efforts of a woman and her husband to put on the annual church Christmas pageant despite having to cast the Herdman kids — the meanest, nastiest, most inventively awful kids in the history of the world. You won’t believe the mayhem, and the fun, when the Herdmans meet the Christmas story in a head-on collision!

Single Tickets: $23.50 for adults; $21.50 for seniors and youth. Subscriptions also available. McPherson Box Office, 250.386.6121, toll-free 1.888.717.6121 or website

Spoken word festival – 10 – 14 Nov

Canadian spoken word festival is happening right now. Tickets are $7 for the slams starting at 7PM tonight,  $12 for the final at 7PM tomorrow Sat 14 Nov  and $10 for the late night cabaret starting at 11PM Tonight (Fri 13 Nov). Get tickets in advance at Lyle’s place or Spiral Cafe. Want more details: See their website at: http://www.davemorrisisa.com/cfsw.html

Fringe festival: until 6 Sep

The Fringe is in full swing. There is SO much to see. I saw some great shows last year and am looking forward to checking out some shows this weekend. We went to see Fall Fair but it was sold out so we ended up seeing Uncalled for presents: Today is All Your Birthdays. I completely recommend that you go and see it. This sketch comedy piece is an incredibly well written, hilarious, dizzying ride through time and space. The two person cast displayed an impressive physicality and rapport with the audience. I laughed and laughed and laughed. Go see it!

See it at:

Venue #4 – St. Andrews School Gymnasium 1002 Pandora, Victoria, BC,

Show Times: Fri, August 28th – 5:45pm Sat, August 29th – 10:00pm Sun, August 30th – 7:15pm

Thu, September 3rd – 7:30pm Sat, September 5th – 5:45pm Sun, September 6th – 9:15pm

Some friends have recommended The Power of Ignorance a satirical comedy about motivational speakers.  It’s received rave reviews: http://www.tjdawe.com/works/ignorance/index.php Check it out at:

Venue #7 – Victoria College of Art + Design UCW (950 Kings near Quadra)

SHOW TIMES  •  Sat, Aug 29 2:15 PM  •  Sun, Aug 30 7:30 PM  •  Fri, Sep 04 6:00 PM  •  Sat, Sep 05 7:45 PM  •  Sun, Sep 06 1:30 PM

One of the shows which we haven’t seen but which is getting great reviews is:

Pretty Little Instincts
SNAFU Dance Theatre
Victoria BC
Dance • 60 minutes
Adults: $9 • Seniors/Students: $9
Parental Guidance: Nudity

From the creators of BLiNK — Pick-of-the-Fringe Best Dance/Physical Show 2007: Renegade outdoor dance theatre. High society tea crumbles into a display of primal instincts as eight women, painted an eerie chalk white, unravel their raw intuition. “Fresh, daring, evocative… SNAFU is one to watch out for.” 4.5 Stars – Monday Magazine. Free tea and cookies.
Point Ellice Webpage
Sponsored by: Point Ellice Heritage Society, Earle Clarke House, The Salvation Army, Discovery Coffee
A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Victoria Women’s Transition House.
DIRECTIONS: Point Ellice Heritage House is a garden oasis sandwiched between a mountain of crushed cars and gravel pit at 2616 Pleasant Street. 20 minute walk (4 minute drive) from downtown: Follow Douglas North towards Mayfair Mall, Left on Bay, Right on Pleasant.
AUDIENCE ADVICE: Dress warmly.

Details of all the shows/tickets prices/ venues/ at:

http://www.intrepidtheatre.com/fringe2009/

THE ROAD TO CANTERBURY- ends Aug 1

The guys who did Grimm Tales last year are this year doing The Road to Canterbury which they describe as a”modern-day re-imagining of The Canturbury Tales (by Grimm Tales author Sebastien Archibald).” The play takes place in Mt. Douglas Park and the audience follows the cast around the park as they tell five re-imaginings of The Canturbury Tales.  This play is extremely well done and very, very funny. I would thoroughly recommend going to see it. It ends Aug 1 so hurry! All details are at:

http://www.itsazoo.org/home.htm

Belfry theatre: Spark festival March 9-22

The Spark Festival is starting next week. Tickets for events are between $10-20. For those with constrained budgets there are also FREE events. You can check out all the details on their website. It has lots of details on all the acts as well as links to video clips and reviews. Check it out:

http://www.belfry.bc.ca/Shows/05-spark_festival.htm

LOVE HURTS Valentine’s Gorelesque Bloody Betty and Her Deadly Sins

Not excited about the idea of receiving a dozen red roses and going out for a dinner for two this Valentine’s day? Then check out LOVE HURTS Valentine’s Gorelesque Bloody Betty and Her Deadly Sins at the Lucky Bar

8:00pm $10adv/$15door ($12 w/costume)
Valentine’s Gorelesque show!!!

more details see: http://luckybar.ca/

“The real thing” Belfry theatre – till 22 Feb

‘The real thing’ at the Belfry theatre is getting good reviews. (see Monday mag – http://www.mondaymag.com/articles/entry/reviews-love-politics-and-infidelity/arts/).  You can watch a short snippet from it on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n250Cj97ylY&feature=channel_page

To February 22
Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone
Tickets $23-$38 • 250-385-6815

Animal Farm at William Head prison

William Head on Stage is a unique theatre group as it is made up of current prisoners. In June WHOS produced ‘Waiting for Godot’ and this month they are producing Orwell’s Animal Farm. I loved their version of WFG and Animal Farm did not disappoint. The sets were fresh and interesting and the performances were wonderful. The characters of Moses the raven and Squealer were particularly well done. Before the play and during the intermission attendees also had the chance to purchase some of the lovely and very reasonably priced crafts produced in the William Head workshop. The final performances are on this weekend. I would definitely recommend going along! Tickets are $18. For more details see:

http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/victorianews/entertainment/33410819.html

Victoria Fringe Festival: this week!

The Victoria Fringe Festival began yesterday. We saw a lovely little play “The Measure of Love” by Canadian play Nicholas Billon. There’s lots of postmodern elements in this play – breaking down the fourth wall, a play within a play and non-linear narrative – but none of these elements feel forced. The measure is an interesting and heartfelt rumination on friendship and forgiveness. I’d throughly recommend seeing it! The fringe runs until next Friday. Check out all the details at: http://www.intrepidtheatre.com/