It is quite a travel day to get to Seattle from Port Angeles if you’re cheap and don’t want to pay the $40 for the direct bus. It’s quite a day if you’d rather take the #30 from Port Angeles to Sequim, then the #8 to Port Townsend, the #7 to Poulsbo, and finally the #90 to Bainbridge to then catch the ferry to Seattle.
It’s worth it, though, because you meet people including a guy who also randomly went to the same university in Norwich, UK. And you save $36.
I imagined Seattle grey.
Arriving in Seattle by water.
The windows of the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
The Seattle gasworks, just before I got completely lost.
The troll that lives in Fremont. Not pictured: the three billy goats Gruff who are just down the street.
Downtown Seattle.
Artsy tree at the Olympic Sculpture Garden.
Across the water.
Dude eating his lunch as I creepily take a picture through a window (Pike Place Market)
Stairway in Seattle (with man).
Foutain in the Seattle Center.
Turns out, though, that Seattle is wonderfully colourful.
I caught Dirty Story by John Patrick Shanley at the Intiman Theatre Festival (thanks for the comp, Peter! Sorry you were sick!)- I’m not 100% convinced the play makes sense, but I know it’s really me not totally grasping this level of satire. Fun night out, though, and I managed to find my way and navigate the Seattle bus system.
My friend Peter (who I met at the Toronto Fringe Festival two years ago and who said to let him know if ever I was going to be in Seattle and I remember things, so I ended up crashing on his comfy couch) and I went to see Rent(flashback!) gun-free.
Rent at the 5th Avenue Theatre- Photo: Mark Kitaoka
I enjoyed seeing Rent, but the more I think about it, the more I think it’s because it made me feel 18 again- it brought me back to the end of the millenium. While the cast really gave it their all (Brandon O’Neill as Collins was exceptional), the pacing was wonky (I appreciated a pause to breathe here and there, but sometimes the action was dropped only to be rushed through later). But this is me pulling at threads (“if you want to destroy my sweater”-type deal) and the whole thing could come apart if I keep going. I truthfully liked seeing this production, though they have the hard task of living up to the original. I miss Mark’s stripped scarf.
On another note, Seattle has the biggest chocolate croissants you’ll ever see. To give you an idea (if you’re from Montreal), it was roughly 4.5 Figaro croissants.
One heck of a chocolate croissant. I could not finish this chocolate croissant.
I’ve had my passport stamped for the first time since I left and had a bunch of questions about my life, plans and bank account sternly thrown into my face. I pased and took the ferry from Victoria (British Columbia) to Port Angeles (Washington).
My time on Vancouver Island began and ended on a boat, which makes sense seeing as it’s an island.
Sun on the ferry from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Nanaimo (Vancouver Island).
Ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles.
Victoria was sunny and beautiful and, most importantly, was to be explored with my friend Caitlin (beautiful Caitlin whom I hadn’t seen in 3 years).
Caitlin having tea at the trendy little restaurant we went to in Victoria.
We explored Victoria, especially the frozen yoghurt shop. Those little bubbles of fruit bursts you can sprinkle over your frozen yoghurt are amazing and weird.
Caitlin told me about totem poles, their meanings and uses and the way they were pretty much stolen, thinking it was a way to remember cultures that were assumed to be dying.
Totem pole at Thunderbird Park, Victoria.
We noticed many problematic depictions of the First Nations and weirdly normalized colonialism. Most of them in souvenir shops, but many around the city too:
Was this the Hudson Bay Co’s slogan? Even so, it’s weird to have this hanging in a mall. Even weirder, it was put there in 1990.
But it was a beautiful, sunny few days (though that wind off the water can be quite chilling) and walking around aimlessly was just the thing to do.
Victoria
Where one might take high tea at the Empress Hotel. We obviously didn’t, but we did run around the hotel pretending we might.
For a blog about theatre, I haven’t written much about it recently. Summer is pretty slow for regular theatre seasons, but we were really lucky to catch a good one in Victoria.
The Little Shop of Horrors at the McPherson Playhouse in Victoria (Blue Bridge Rep Theatre)
Although I really didn’t have opening night attire, I pulled together a (relatively) clean t-shirt and the one skirt I brought so we could attend the opening of Little Shop of Horrors (thanks again, Jer, for the tickets!). I didn’t know the show at all- I only knew that it featured a special type of venus fly trap. But when I noticed that a couple of cast and creative team members had been involved in Ride the Cyclone, I knew it was going to be ok. Or better than ok.
When I saw that Kholby Wardell was in this, I knew we were in good hands. Here with Damon Calderwood and Sara-Jeanne Hosie.
Actually, it was a really great production and I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time. The design going from black-and-white to colour as things liven up may be a bit predictable, but it was done so smoothly and beautifully and cooly and I loved it gosh darn it. The whole thing was fun and excellently performed, and perhaps with a tiny bit more accent work for a certain character, it would be the absolutely perfect way to spend a Victorian summer evening.
Even with translations, theatre festivals like the World Stage in Toronto, and theatre companies touring the globe, it’s sometimes possible to get a glimpse of the theatre that is happening around the world.
But theatre is a live event, and you have to actually be in a place, during a time, to experience it. And thing is, with the Internet, we know what shows we’re missing in the places we are not.
So it got me thinking: if I were somewhere else in the world on March 27th, which play would I attend to celebrate World Theatre Day?
Here are a few of my picks (turns out the world is big and there’s a lot going on). Maybe one of you could go check these out for me and report back?
I’m going to start with my top pick (because it’s a festival of international theatre, so I’m totally cheating) and the rest is in no particular order.
BOGOTÁ, Colombia Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro The Latin American Theatre Festival is like the best of the entire world of theatre crammed into one city. Theatre will literally be spilling out of traditional theatre spaces and into the streets. 33 countries are represented, but Romania is featured this year, which should mean there’ll be a lot of bold, theatrical stuff out there. Such as:
Lydia Wilson and Jack Gordon in ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, at BAM Photo by Richard Termine
LONDON, England Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical by Dennis Kelly (book) and Tim Minchin (music+lyrics)
At the Cambridge Theatre
Because I adored the book so much as a child and that my doubts about this one were squashed by people who know what they’re talking about. It’s got swings! And it doesn’t seem to have washed out too much of Roald Dahl’s irreverence and joy.
The RSC Production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical. Photo by Manuel Harlan
BERLIN, Germany Lulu by Frank Wedekind, directed by Robert Wilson.
At the Berliner Ensemble
Because I don’t know where would be better to see this twisted, gritty, expressionist play about the rise and fall of a femme fatale than at the theatre founded by Brecht in 1949. And with the legendary Robert Wilson at the helm and music by Lou Reed, I’d be there in a heartbeat (knowing full well I wouldn’t understand a word). Just look at it:
WELLINGTON, New Zealand Peninsula by Gary Henderson, directed by Jane Waddell
At Circa Theatre Because it’s about a kid who sleeps on a volcano.
Peninsula
SYDNEY, Australia Every Breath written and directed by Benedict Andrews
At Belvoir St Theatre
Because I’m obsessed with Benedict Andrews (check out the production photos on his website and you’ll see what I mean) and I’d be curious to see a show written by such an imaginative, innovative, courageous director.
Every Breath
NEW YORK, United States of America Once- the musical. By Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (music+lyrics), Enda Walsh (book), directed by John Tiffany
At the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
This is a Broadway musical based on one of the most subtly romantic, charmingly unpretentious films, so my initial reaction upon hearing this play existed was a terrified guffaw. I love the movie. But then I saw that the book was written by Enda Walsh. So it couldn’t be too bad. I’d go because it could be good.
Photo: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
CALGARY, Canada Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte, directed by Bob White
At Martha Cohen Theatre, Alberta Theatre Projects
A beautiful script full of things Canadians love (horses, weddings, the First World War…), staged at one of Canada’s most exciting theatres (which I have never been to).
CAPE TOWN, South Africa Brothers in Blood by Mike van Graan, directed by Greg Homan
At Artscape
This one looks explosive, taking on as many taboo topics as will fit in one award-winning play: xenophobia, religious arrogance, the drug trade, fatherhood…
Brothers in Blood
MONTREAL, Canada Midsummer (une pièce et neuf chansons) by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre, translated by Olivier Choinière, directed by Philippe Lambert
At La Petite Licorne/La Manufacture
This “play and nine songs” was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe a few years ago, and that it’s being staged at my favourite theatre in Montreal (which happens to have a long history of staging amazing translationsof new Scottish, Irish, and British plays), so it’s bound to be awesome.
Isabelle Blais and Pierre-Luc Brillant Photo credit: Suzane O'Neill
PARIS, France The Suit by Peter Brook and Marie-Helène Estienne, based on the story by Can Themba
At Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
Because it’s a musical by Peter Brook.
TOKYO, Japan Condors “Hungry Like a Wolf” directed and choreographed by Ryohei Kondo
At the Setagaya Public Theatre A children’s show that combines dance, theatre, skits, and puppetry. I’m in, if a kids’ show looks like this:
photo by HARU
VIENNA, Austria Das blinde Geschehen by Botho Strauß, directed by Matthias Hartmann
At Burgtheater I can only get so far with Google translate, so I’m not too sure what this is about, but it’s really just the images of this play that make me want to jump on a plane and go to Austria.
Alexandra Henkel, Christiane von Poelnitz, Adina Vetter, Regina Fritsch, Hermann Scheidleder, and Sabine Haupt. Photo copyright: Reinhard Werner, Burgtheater
Photo copyright: Reinhard Werner, Burgtheater
HONG KONG, China Diving in the Moment directed by 張藝生
At the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre I’m not sure exactly what this play is, but it looks cool. [Stay tuned for more fascinating and informed insights like this one- subscribe to my blog.]
Diving in the Moment
SINGAPORE Krishnan’s Diary by Jacob Rajan
At the Singapore Repertory Theatre Apparently this play takes two of the most universal Indian clichés – the Taj Mahal and the corner store – and fuses them into a funny and touching love story. An Indian play about a couple who moves to New Zealand, staged in Singapore: perfect for World Theatre Day!
Krishnan's Diary
COPENHAGEN, Denmark Dybet by Jon Atli Jonasson
At Teater Får302
Because “The Deep” is an Icelandic play based on a true story of the sinking of a fishing boat being staged in Denmark. I have a think for Danish acting.
ROME, Italy I Masnadieri by Friedrich Schiller, directed by Gabriele Lavia Teatro di Roma Because why not see a Schiller play in Rome?
Photo: Il Rossetti
I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the exciting theatre happening in the world this week. What will you be doing to celebrate World Theatre Day on Tuesday?
It looks like seeing two plays on a Saturday is quickly becoming a tradition for me (if something happening twice in a row constitutes a tradition). And before I start, I’ll put a little disclaimer here: I’m not a theatre critic. Nope.
I didn’t leave the city this weekend, but I did see a couple of shows that have travelled far to be here, in one sense or another.
The first, Chess, not only literally travelled from England (Craig Revel Horwood’s full-on production is touring from the UK) and sort of from Sweden (its tunes were written by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeu), but it also time-travelled from the mid-1980s. Although it seems to be having a spot of trouble adjusting to 2011, it ended up pulling the audience back in time, which was actually pretty fun. And retro is in, I hear.
Chess UK Tour 2010. Photo Keith Pattison.
Despite the awkward and confusing plotting and pacing, the whole thing was quite a spectacle and I’m really glad I got to see it. I don’t know if I loved it. But it was definitely an experience. Lasers light effects! Hot horse-men (or knights? but no, they were actually horse-men)! Chess-playing! Catchy tunes!
The extraordinarily multi-talented cast/orchestra blew my mind. Being able to play the violin flawlessly while singing, dancing, lying on the floor, and engaging in unspeakable acts is pretty impressive. As is Tam Mutu’s command of the stage and ability to belt the roof off the theatre. And it doesn’t hurt that the leading lady reminded me of Cyndi Lauper (in the best possible way).
In the evening, I traded my relatively dressy high heels for my comfy Blundstones and walked to the Tarragon Theatre for what was the theatrical opposite of Chess.
It was a treat to be at a preview performance of Theatre Smash’s The Ugly One by Marius von Mayenburg. It tells the tale of a great but “unspeakably ugly” engineer who, when finally told the truth about his appearance, gets surgery that transforms him into a gorgeous piece of work and somewhat of a rock star (if you replace rock music with talk of plugs and other engineering stuff). But when everyone starts getting the same surgery and looking exactly like the sexy new him, life becomes a little nightmarish.
Photo of Jesse Aaron Dwyre and Naomi Wright by James Heaslip
The play itself already had lots going for it (short, absurd, satirical, strange, and funny… it’s German theatre after all), but the production presented all that in a grounded and playful manner.
Despite the fact that the stunning David Jansen was losing his voice to illness that night (I hear he’s all better now) and that I was pulled out of the play every time an actor used a wheelie-chair to climb on or off the large boardroom table/stage*, the excellent and dedicated performances, gruesome details (helped disgustingly by live foley), and thought-provoking material all made for a great night.
If you’re in Toronto anytime until October 16th 2011, check out The Ugly One! Details here.
*as funny as it can be, I don’t usually like seeing people fall on their faces or break an ankle.
