Outdoor movies are all the rage in Vancouver this summer but there’s a different form of open-air entertainment hitting Spanish Banks. Sea of Sand premiered at the beach this past weekend and the theatrical production will run until August 28, 2011. Photo courtesy of The Only Animal The play follows a trio of characters: a […]

Today is the first day of the Neanderthal Arts Festival at the Vancouver Eastside Cultural Centre (July 21 to 30), a developmental festival featuring new and experimental work by local theatre companies, and one from Montreal. This year’s line-up includes a play about a pregnant man (My Pregnant Brother/Freestanding Productions), a musical about a bigamist […]

One of my all-time favourite plays, Shakespeare’s Richard III, will be opening at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival this Saturday night at Vanier Park. Directed by Kathryn Shaw, Richard III completes a two-play lineup (the first being Henry VI: The War of the Roses–an amalgamation of Henry VI part 1,2, and 3) in the […]

While most Vancouverites know Bard on the Beach, and how their plays are set up against a backdrop of sea, sky and mountains, not many may be aware of Seven Tyrants Theatre and how their performances are also set up against a natural landscape—only it’s the lush gardens of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese […]

July 5th, 1959 was the opening day of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in downtown Vancouver and a few weeks later Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II personally gave it her name. The venue accommodates 2,781 patrons and over the years it has hosted some of the world’s greatest plays, musicals, operas, ballets and concerts. 1957, excavation […]

When the Celebration of Light fireworks schedule collides with Bard on the Beach there’s no reason to miss one or the other. Two of the most-loved summertime activities in Vancouver combine at Vanier Park as Bard on the Beach presents its special “Bard-B-Q” event. On July 30th, August 3rd, and August 6th you can enjoy […]

Director Rachel Ditor’s interpretation of The Merchant of Venice is probably one of the best productions I’ve ever seen at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, now in its 22nd season. Ditor clearly translates the text into fantastic direction for her actors, all of whom give outstanding performances. The story follows Bassanio (Charlie Gallant) who […]

The 29th annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, celebrating the very best in Vancouver theatre, are taking place tonight at the Commodore Ballroom. As I did last year, I am sponsoring a live blog of the awards ceremony in order to show support and promote our city’s lively community. The ceremony will begin around 6:45pm and […]

Broadway Across Canada presents Mamma Mia! in Vancouver this August from the 16th to the 21st. The hit broadway musical that gets the audience dancing in the aisles is one of the best feel-good shows around. Mamma Mia! combines ABBA’s greatest hits with an enchanting love story filled with laughter, family, and friendship. There is […]

Despite everything that has happened in Vancouver on June 15th, we must remember that there are many wonderful things about this city, like good people producing good art. And though everyone might feel like cocooning in their homes for the next couple of days, I urge you all to get out and see some theatre […]