Archives for April 2015

Foreign Radical and my Portland three-way

Foreign Radical, Theatre Conspiracy, Vancouver Theatre

Milton Lim is the hyperkinetic host in Theatre Conspiracy’s smart, engaging Foreign Radical

When I attended Theatre Conspiracy’s Foreign Radical, my fellow audience members voted—virtually unanimously—to select me as the most suspicious person there. Maybe that was because I’m big and 30 years older than the rest of them, so I stood out, or maybe it was because I was writing in my notebook. [Read more…]

Want me to edit your book, story, or screenplay?

Vancouver editor, substantive editor, story editor

My trusty pencils and I can help you out.

When I’m not working as a theatre critic, I’m a substantive editor, which means “story editor”. I help writers with narrative structure, so I deal a lot with plot, but also elements such as the development of characters and themes.

Normally, I’m booked three or four months ahead, but right now I’m only booked a month ahead. That’s why I’m offering my friends’ rate, which is a great deal, to anybody who asks for it.

Check out my website, www.colinthomas.ca if you want to know more about my life as an editor. I’m especially proud of the testimonials you’ll find there.

Hiro Kanagawa’s Indian Arm is worth the effort

Indian Arm, Richard Russ, Rumble Theatre

Richard Russ is one of the strong actors in Rumble Theatre’s Indian Arm

In the land of theatre, the pick is easy this week. And, as a bonus, I’ve got a couple of movies for you.

Hiro Kanagawa’s Indian Arm just runs for two more nights (until April 18) at Studio 16. Get in if you can. Kanagawa’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Little Eyolf is challenging, but the pay-off is worth it, thanks, in part, to the exemplary performances of many in the cast, including Jennifer Copping and Gerry Mackay. Indian Arm, which is set in our local fjord, is about selfishness and sharing in the context of sex—and land claims.

And I saw a couple of movies this week that are so good that I have to tell you about them. (Yes, I also like movies, but that doesn’t mean that I love theatre less, so settle down.) [Read more…]

The Book of Mormon is the best new show in town—but you have to win the lottery to get in

The Book of Mormon

Clearly, A.J. Holmes (Elder Cunningham) would be delighted to see you at The Book of Mormon.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, which is fun, is still on at the Stanley—and it just might be the best thing you can get tickets to.

A slick touring production of The Book of Mormon is at the QE. That’s fun, too, but the only way you’re going to get tickets is by going down to the theatre and waiting for returns—or entering the lottery they’re holding. You can score one or two tickets for 25 bucks each in that deal, but you have to be there two and a half hours before the curtain. Winners are announced two hours before the curtain.  If you’re feeling adventurous…

Two

Obaaberima, the Cultch

Tawiah M’carthy never gets this dolled up in Obaaberima, but it’s a pretty picture.

I’m going to keep it short and sweet this week, folks: I’ve got two shows to recommend.

At the Cultch, you have two more nights to catch Tawiah M’carthy’s Obaaberima, which is about a queer Ghanian-Canadian guy embracing the supposedly unacceptable aspects of himself.

And you’ve got until April 19 to dip into the bubbly waters of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning Chekhovian mashup, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.

Happy Easter!

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