Category: theatre

The new Guthrie complex sports no fewer than three performance spaces within its huge blue shell, each with its own theatrical mission. But the legacy of this company has always been predicated on its use of the “thrust” stage, which can make an audience feel like it’s in the middle of the action, but can also limit a director’s choices. In designing the new stages (one of which is a thrust,) the Guthrie’s artistic team is hoping to preserve most of what Twin Cities audiences are used to seeing, but open up a wider range of options for the future.

The Guthrie is only the latest in a recent string of major arts initiatives in Minneapolis, and Dominic Papatola says that it would be a mistake to stop now. “It took upward of $350 million to complete the [Walker Art Center], Guthrie, [Children’s Theater Company] and [Minneapolis Institute of Arts] projects… But while it’s all over, we should also remember that it’s just beginning. The aftershocks of the first cultural building boom can already be felt.”

The Stratford Festival is one of Canada’s enduring theatrical institutions. So how can it be possible that next week’s opening of a 1997 play by Djanet Sears marks the first time that the festival has featured a work by a black playwright, or an all-black cast?

Next week, Djanet Sears “officially becomes the first black playwright and the first black female director in the 54-year history of the Stratford Festival of Canada. The production will also be the first on any of its stages with an all-black cast.”

“The programs’ team works with circus-arts instructors to teach troubled youth how to clown around, juggle and do more advanced circus techniques. Kids learn to use their imagination and balance, and to test their own physical limits. The instructors help them improve self-esteem, develop social skills and gain a sense of humour. They also teach self-control and discipline, and channel risk-taking and adrenaline in a positive way. ‘Everyone who has experienced violence or trouble knows that adrenaline. What we do is modify that adrenaline. The difference is, people applaud you for it here’.”

“If you’re an admirer of Broadway-ready singing actors, it is a time of feast; there’s never been more potentially showstopping talent…. The list of reliable marquee names and major emerging talents would make any casting director salivate. But what new shows are worthy of such talents?”

Theatre consultancy guru Richard Pilbrow has dismissed designs for the new £48 million Leicester Performing Arts Centre by leading architect Rafael Vinoly as “impractical” and “extremely problematic”.

“The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has revealed outline plans to redesign its theatre complex at Stratford-upon-Avon. Plans include a ‘thrust’ stage for the main Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a 33m (108ft) tower marking a new entrance, a public square and a riverside walkway. Work is due to start in spring 2007 costing £100m, with £85m now raised.”

Tony winners saw their ticket sales double at the box office Monday. “Perhaps the biggest surprise of all, though, was the television news. After two years of stagnant ratings, the Tony Awards telecast managed to draw in more viewers. According to preliminary Nielsen ratings, there were about 1.3 million additional viewers this year — 7.8 million, up from last year’s 6.6 million — an increase of around 20 percent. The awards show started the night in first place for its time slot then slipped to second, behind the N.B.A. finals.”

“For me, it’s still surprising that The History Boys should make it to Broadway at all, let alone pick up six awards from the 750-odd theatre professionals, critics and odd bods who constitute the Tony voters. But serious plays, especially foreign ones, seldom do well on Broadway. Serious plays, even witty ones, are what closed yesterday.”