East Van Panto: Robin Hood

 I don't even know how to review this year's East Van Panto: Robin Hood, because it was SO GOOD. 

Stella Jack-Rennie, Munish Sharma, Hayley Sullivan, Sewit Eden Haile, Carol Chu

I was lucky enough to attend last week and brought along the perfect person to watch it with me, cause we both work in a library. Basically, libraries were one of the main things under attack in this year's show, thanks to the evil villain "Prince Ken" which I'm pretty sure everyone in Vancouver knows who that is referring to! 

It's not just libraries he wants to privatize, but also Trout Lake park. A timely jab about the dismantling of the Parks Board hit a little too close to home but was well-placed. With only three weeks to tech and rehearse the show, this production is a bonafide good time from start to finish. 

Steffanie Davis

Steffanie Davis downright steals the entire show as Toni the Pony. Last year she was impressive as Belle, but as one of this year's villain, she downright shines. Or as the kids these days might say, she ate!! 

Mark Chavez

Mark Chavez also returns in multiple roles, and delighting in every single one of them. My favourite was his turn as a Robobrarian. 

Hayley Sullivan & Munish Sharma

Finally, Munish Sharma as Little Jaan seems relatively reliable and safe for most of the show, until we reach Act 2 and its eleven o'clock number, when he gets a turn to solo. People of Vancouver, when this man opens his mouth to sing.... the most beautiful sound in the world will be gifted upon your ears. Why were they hiding this the entire time??? Our jaws dropped. What a gorgeous sublime voice! Sing on maestro, sing ON!

Veda Hille

And the songs this year are fun and current! Of COURSE they had to do some Chappell Roan. Perhaps a song from BRAT would've been just that one more cherry on top but kudos to Veda Hille for reimagining popular hits to fit this homegrown story. 

Go catch these superstars and the rest of the stellar cast of East Van Panto: Robin Hood, on now at the York Theatre until January 5!! 

(all photos by Emily Cooper)

Billy Bishop Goes to War

 I was lucky enough to observe Remembrance Day weekend last week with the premiere of Billy Bishop Goes to War, on now at the Metro Theatre. 

Damon Calderwood plays an immense 18 characters in this near-one person production of Billy Bishop Goes to War. Pianist Chris Robson lends a hand with some characters but is also supplying the live soundtrack to this Canadian-born musical. 

I'd always heard of this show, but had never had the opportunity to go see it until now. I don't know if other productions are also as minimalist as this one, but it works with the storytelling and Calderwood's transformations from character to character are seamless and you will be absorbed into the storytelling in no time. 

Billy Bishop Goes to War is on now  until November 30 at the Metro Theatre. 

Eastside Culture Crawl

 Happy November everyone! Did you make it through Halloween season alright? Thanksgiving Dinner anxiety is over and done with!  

This month brings us the annual Eastside Culture Crawl, which is ALWAYS a fun time, no matter where you go! 

Apparently, this year "is one of the biggest years ever, with more than 500 registered artists, including nearly 100 artists participating for the first time. Artists will be showcasing a variety of artistic mediums, from jewelery, sculpture, and pottery, to painting, textiles, photography, furniture, and so much more!" 

Photo-credit-Joshua-Wright: Georgia-Art-Studios - 

Provided-by-Eastside-Arts-Society_One-Time-Use

Annette-Nieukerk_Photo-credit-Joshua-Wright

Provided-by-Eastside-Arts-Society_One-Time-Use

Yaron-Bareli_Photo-credit-Joshua-Wright

Provided-by-Eastside-Arts-Society_One-Time-Use

And the best part is that all of this is FREE to go visit and see! 

Don't miss out on the Eastside Culture Crawl from November 14 - 17 !