(RERUN): Soap-a-Thon to inspire imaginations

(RERUN): Soap-a-Thon to inspire imaginations

During an improv workshop held before last year’s Die-Nasty Soap-a-Thon, instructor Patti Stiles asked if there was anybody who had never improvised. I was the only one who raised my hand. Everyone else applauded! Way to make a newbie feel good, eh? All “guests” of the annual Soap-a-Thon – running this year from 7 pm […]

SOAP-A-THON: Inside the Improvisers Studio

SOAP-A-THON: Inside the Improvisers Studio

When Die-Nasty workshop leader Patti Stiles asked if there was anybody who had never improvised, I was the only one who raised my hand. Everyone else applauded! Some 30 actors, many of them professional, gathered on the Varscona Theatre stage Tuesday night for the first of two preparatory “workshops” leading into this weekend’s 21st annual […]

THEATRE: Parts fit the actors in new Lemoine

THEATRE: Parts fit the actors in new Lemoine

There are many ways we can try to describe rebel playwright Stewart Lemoine – as a modern Noel Coward, for his witty dialogue; or as Edmonton’s theatrical Christopher Guest, for using almost the same set of actors again and again in one quirky comedy after another. Occasionally, a new actor is invited into the fold. […]

From play to movie back to play, Jack Goes Boating proves its stamina

It’s quite a challenge to do play that’s been made into a movie. Everyone’s going to make comparisons, many of them unfair. Good example: Kurt Vonnegut – great novelist, lousy playwright. Fortunately for the cast of Jack Goes Boating – opening Thursday at the Varscona Theatre – the 2010 movie of the same name isn’t […]

THEATRE: Gothic horror comedy laughs in the face of death

Anything that can be done to hasten the annual Halloween creep would be fine by the folks at Kill Your Television Theatre, whose production of “Victor and Victoria’s Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things” opens Friday at the Varscona Theatre. They originally wanted a late October run, which probably would’ve sold more tickets, but with schedules […]

WHAT’S SO FUNNY: More swords and sex than usual in Die-Nasty Soap-a-Thon

The annual Die-Nasty Soap-a-Thon – running continuously this Friday through Sunday at the Varscona Theatre – has chosen “Game of Thrones” as its theme this year. But don’t worry, it shouldn’t be any harder to follow than any other 50 hour marathon of improvised comedy. The inexhaustible Mark Meer – who once again is expected […]

FRINGE OF THE PICKS: Locals expected to rise to the top

According to a highly scientific study tracking the statistical average quality of Fringe plays over the last 20 years or so, a full sixty per cent of Fringe plays are now at the level of “not bad,” up significantly from past ratings of “OK.” It’s what you say to a friend asking about that play […]

THEATRE: Ron Pederson proves you can go home again

The case of actor Ron Pederson is more evidence supporting the old saying: You don’t know how good you’ve got it at home until you leave. From an almost sure shot at fame in Hollywood – where funny Canadians seem to shine – the former star of MAD-TV, writer-performer for the Craig Ferguson Show and […]

WHAT’S SO FUNNY: Improvaganza to bridge comedy arts

An embarrassment of riches awaits the hungry comedy fan this week – fortunately, the brave performers at Improvaganza are immune from embarrassment. Also, they generally never say no to any suggestion, another trait that will hold them in good stead at Rapid Fire Theatre’s annual “international improv comedy festival,” opening Wednesday at the Varscona Theatre. […]

Area improviser Mark Meer up for Canadian Comedy Award

Mark Meer appears to be the only Edmonton nominee at this year’s Canadian Comedy Awards – and that says more about Mark Meer than it does about any possible bias against Edmonton. We’re just one funny town in a funny country – and this particular local actor just happens to stand out because he works […]

WHAT’S SO FUNNY: Die Nasty to end season with a real who-did-it

The burning question in the Italian town of Edmontonioni this weekend is: Who murdered the famous Parisian fashion designer Poni – whose real name turns out to be Antoine Horseman – at a potluck dinner held in his honour? (Insert cheesy organ, climbing up diminished chords to indicate mounting suspense, as needed.) Was it … […]

THEATRE: Little Elephants a peek into gently eccentric British family

The reason North Americans are so fascinated and amused by British people is a mystery. But at least now we have another reason to tune away from Coronation Street or the Royals visit coverage with another delightful peek into a typically barmy British family in Belinda Cornish’s new play, Little Elephants. It opens Thursday at […]