The Woman Who Loves Giraffes

Before Jane Goodall made a name for herself, there was a woman - a CANADIAN woman - who had gone off to Africa in 1956 to study animals in the wild, specifically giraffes. This uplifting documentary of Anne Dagg is exactly what the world needs right now. It's a celebration of a
pioneering woman who went ahead and made her mark on the world, despite the sexism she encountered along the way.

With superb footage of her trip in 1956 and present-day filming of giraffes, this film is just an absolute delight and will inspire you and fill your heart right up.

It has been selling out at the Vancity Theatre, but luckily they have added several more screenings, so get your tickets now before they're gone!

Roma

Holy smokes. ROMA is amazing.

Yes, yes, I know it's on Netflix. But to see it on the big screen? Do NOT miss your chance to do so. It's a beautiful - nay, GORGEOUS  - film.  I was enraptured from the very first minute of the movie. To me, the direction and the way this was all filmed is downright BRILLIANT.

Story-wise, it's also fascinating. It's the story of a nanny in Mexico City during the 70s. The movie is in black and white, in Spanish with English subtitles. Just utterly amazing and probably going to win more awards once the Oscars roll around.

From what I know, the Vancity theatre is the only theatre in town who is showing this on their screens, so make sure you  make it to one of the many added screenings now before it's too late!

Nothing Like a Dame

I was quite excited to see this film for some reason. I like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith and had no idea who the other two were, but it seemed deliciously catty and gossipy so I thought Yes I want to go see this!

However, the moment the film started, I thought to myself, "I think I've made a huge mistake."

It's not that the film was bad. I did find out some interesting information. There's some stuff in there about Laurence Olivier that seemed a bit questionable to me. But mostly, it was just watching these four actresses chat with one another. It just wasn't as interesting as I had hyped it up to be in my mind.

However, Nothing Like a Dame has been selling out at the Vancity Theatre and they've added extra screenings, so that shows you how much I know!

Red Birds

"This play is a bittersweet comedy about three generations of dirt-poor women whose lives are thrown into chaos when a birth mother is revealed who is both incredibly wealthy and ready to marry a charming gold-digger. “Red Birds” is a sister piece to the incredibly popular “The Big Blue Bird”, written by Aaron Bushkowsky, then given a workshop reading by Western Gold more than 12 years ago. “The Big Blue Bird” looked at the sad but poignant relationship between three generations of men: a grandfather, father and son. It was subsequently nominated for a Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Original Script."

Red Birds is on now at the PAL Studio until November 17! 

Kill Me Now

You only have one more chance to see Brad Fraser's astonishing and controversial play Kill Me Now, about a father raising his physically disabled son when things take a turn for the worse. This production blew me away, not only with the story, but the acting and the set design.

Touchstone Theatre should be commended on the diversity in the casting of this show. There are scenes that will make you want to look away, but because the writing is so strong and emotional, you won't be able to.

From assisted suicide to a father jerking off his son, there is no stone left unturned here. You don't want to miss the chance to see this play, and you only have one more night to do so!

Kill Me Once ends its run at the Firehall Arts Centre on Saturday Oct 27.

The Wolves

There's a slight foreshadowing in the music selection that greets you as you take your seat at Pacific Theatre for a performance of the play The Wolves. Among the chosen tunes are songs by the likes of Kesha, Robyn, and other female pop singers whose music many might find to be fluffy and light. But take a closer listen. Kesha's "Woman" is a feminist rally cry with the refrain, "I'm a motherfucking woman!"  Meanwhile, Robyn's "Dancing On My Own" is a national anthem for heartache.

Like Sarah DeLappe's The Wolves, one might be initially led to believe that you're watching a group of teen girls gabbing on the soccer field for two hours rather than seeing an actual play. But as we witness subject matter that ranges from bloody tampons to bulimia, anxiety to politics, masturbation to death, we realize that this show is much more than just seeing a soccer team do their warm up.

The Wolves is about family, community, and teamwork. It highlights bullying and acceptance, weaving in the mundane with the serious, and forces the talented cast to go through a roller coaster of emotions that one would with any chosen family.

The Wolves is on now at Pacific Theatre until November 10.

Sweeney Todd

The Snapshots Collective's production of Sweeney Todd is just pure genius. If you were lucky enough to nap a ticket to this, then consider yourself one of the chosen few who get to witness one of the best live performances in Vancouver right now.

Setting up house in a bare bones space in Gastown, the location is just one of the many things that make this production so special. "Mrs. Lovett's Pie Shop" is the address you're given when you buy a ticket, and fans of this Sondheim classic will know exactly what that means.

Not only that, but ticket purchasers have the option of ordering up a meat pie with their seat. I knew that this was something I NEEDED to do. (There are veggie and vegan options too.)  Anyhow, we are given our pies when we enter and I shamelessly stuffed it into my mouth like a crazed animal. No utensils are given, so everyone just has to eat with their hands, a foreshadowing of things to come as we later see the actors shovelling delicious pies into their mouth not knowing what's really in them...

The acting and singing of this cast was SUPERB. Warren Kimmel as Sweeney Todd is just simply outstanding. Colleen Winton's Mrs. Lovett is played to perfect comedic perfection. The folks sitting in the"splatter zone" were thoroughly entertained with the onslaught of blood.

The tale of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a chilling, terrifying story perfect for Halloween. The Snapshots Collective has really tapped into something unique here with its timing, location, and immersive experience. I'm SO glad I had the chance to see this. Sadly, tickets are all sold out, but keep your eyes on this group and you may find yourself at another inspired piece of theatre in the future.