Cylla von Tiedemann News

Marking its world premiere, the Stratford Festival Commissioned production of Colleen Murphy's THE BREATHING HOLE is an incredible piece of theatre that is both groundbreaking and deeply moving. Directed by Reneltta Arluk, this production boasts a fantastic cast, beautiful design, and marvellous and endearing polar bear puppets. Tickets are hard to come by, but if you can see this production, you MUST.

In 1914, hundreds of British subjects of the Sikh faith were not allowed off of the boat they traveled to Canada on, and denied entry at the Vancouver harbour based on xenophobia and racist immigration policies. This story of the people aboard the Komagata Maru is an important part of Canadian history to be remembered and an important story to tell. The story is told on stage this season at the Stratford Festival in THE KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT written by Sharon Pollock and directed by Keira Loughran. Unfortunately, the choices made in the way the story is told, cause the power of its message to not resonate nearly as much as it should be resonating at a time when it is so incredibly relevant in society.

Just when you think you've run out of laughter, PICTURE THIS demands more. Written by Morris Panych and Brenda Robins, Soulpepper's PICTURE THIS is a heap of slapstick, comedic gold wrapped in the packaging of Ken MacDonald's gorgeous, intelligent set. Inspired by Melchior Lengyel's 'The Battle of Waterloo', PICTURE THIS captures the virile hunger of the struggling artist and presents it in a way that is enormously funny.

The very last production to ever open at the current incarnation of the Stratford Festival's Tom Patterson Theatre was David Edney's translation of Jean Giraudoux's THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT. Directed by Donna Feore, this was the world premiere of this translation. It boasts an excellent company and it explores themes and issues that are certainly relevant today.

Beckett's masterpiece, WAITING FOR GODOT proves its relevance in Soulpepper's riveting revival, opening their 2017-18 season. GODOT's structure, atmosphere and design plays like a contemplation on mindfulness - a search for meaning, in the seemingly meaningless.

The Stratford Festival midseason openings are upon us, and first up was Director Chris Abraham's much anticipated production of Moliere's TARTUFFE at the Festival Theatre. The translation by Ranjit Bolt (with some updates to reflect current politics) finds the perfect tone and allows a French satire from 1664 to feel incredibly (almost frighteningly) relevant right now. An excellent company, led by the fantastic Tom Rooney had the audience absolutely howling. This is definitely one to see!

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the company's upcoming tour to Paris with performances of Nijinsky, a ballet by John Neumeier.

The second part of a trilogy of plays penned by Kate Hennig is currently engrossing audiences at the Stratford Festival's Studio Theatre. THE VIRGIN TRIAL is a companion to 2015's THE LAST WIFE, which also had its world premiere at the Studio Theatre. This play is set during Elizabeth I's teenage years, when she was the subject of a scandal involving her relationship with her uncle/step-father. Like, THE LAST WIFE, this play takes liberties in terms of historical accuracy, because, quite frankly, we don't actually know exactly what happened behind closed doors. Also like the first play, this one is from the perspective of the women. The performances are brilliant and the writing is clever and witty. This production should not be missed!

This season at the Stratford Festival is the final season for the Tom Patterson Theatre as it currently stands. It will be entirely rebuilt, starting this fall. The current space is going out with a bang, however, in terms of the diverse and exciting productions that can be seen on its stage this season. Each production is excellent, but the most exciting of all may well be Jillian Keiley's production of BAKKHAI. This play may not be for everyone, but if you appreciate good, exciting, and inventive theatre, and don't blush too easily at eroticism on stage, then I highly suggest you get your tickets immediately.

Come along with us on a magic carpet ride and re-visit the various incarnations of the shining, shimmering, splendid world of Aladdin!

Some shows are born great, some shows achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them. Presented by Canadian Stage, Shakespeare's KING LEAR and TWELFTH NIGHT are in the hands of a phenomenal group of artists - who thrust greatness on them six nights a week.

"I've heard the lighting is amazing," a woman whispered to me before the show. Clearly designers Astrid Janson and Andre du Toit are doing something right - Soulpepper's VIMY is a visual feast.

The memory of a fascinating Canadian war hero brought to life by a fascinating Canadian actor. BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR is in fine form in Soulpepper Theatre Company's 2017 revival. Aligning with the 150th Birthday of our nation - the musical, written and performed by John MacLachlan Gray and Eric Peterson, is an incredible story of bravery, courage and survival. An intimate reflection - BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR reminds us that this is our history. These are our stories.

Feel the earth move with Chilina Kennedy's powerhouse vocals. Mirvish Productions presents BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, with a book by Douglas McGrath and music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. The musical follows King's journey - from the sale of her very first song, to her solo performance at Carnegie Hall. Featuring some of the most well-known songs of all time, BEAUTIFUL is a night out at the theatre that promises to have you groovin' in your seat.

This season at the Stratford Festival has proven to be a stellar one, and Jackie Maxwell's production of Thomas Middleton and William Rowley's THE CHANGELING on the Tom Patterson Theatre stage is no exception. The questionable morals and values of the characters, and the intense relationships between certain characters leave the audience feeling uncomfortable (as was likely intended by the playwrights) but the performances by the members of the company and the overall impact of the production itself, leaves the audience feeling exhilarated.

Stratford Festival's Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino is directing one production this season and it is Richard Brinsley Sheridan's THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. Mounted on the Avon Theatre stage, this production boasts a fabulous company and a commentary on society that is far from outdated.

Tickets are on sale for the US debut for SOULPEPPER, Toronto's largest and most celebrated theatre company, in a four-week engagement Off-Broadway at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street in New York City. A true repertory program of plays, musicals and concert performances, featuring a company of over 65 artists, the festival, entitled SOULPEPPER ON 42nd STREET, will be presented July 1-July 29, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the productions below!

If you are planning a family trip to Stratford, Ontario in the coming months, here's something to add to your itinerary. Schulich Children's Plays' TREASURE ISLAND-currently on stage at Stratford Festival's Avon Theatre, is filled with wonder and delight and is sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Matilda is a beloved story written by Roald Dahl and enjoyed by children all over the world. It's hugely popular story led Dennis Kelly to adapt the story and Tim Minchin to pen the music and lyrics for MATILDA THE MUSICAL. As it first premiered in in UK in 2010, MATILDA THE MUSICAL made its way to the United States and Broadway to debut in 2013. With the huge success in the UK and US, the show went on to tour in the US in 2015. This family-friendly show is making its way across the country and continues to entertain audience members from three to one hundred.

TIMON OF ATHENS opened at Stratford Festival's Tom Patterson Theatre on Friday night. It is probably one of the more relatable cautionary tales that Shakespeare has produced, which explains why the Festival continues to have it set in modern times. Director, Stephen Ouimette takes this production on for a second time, as he also directed it in Stratford in 2004. I did not have the opportunity to see his previous production, but this one is impressive.