Check the Program

The Belfry Theatre's Manager of Artistic and Community Connections Taiwo Afolabi joins us to talk about a June 11 meeting of Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) Artists and Cultural Administrators in the Capital Regional District that has been in the works since April, but has taken on a new sense of urgency given recent protests and actions in North America and around the world focused on anti-Black racism. Plus a look at what we are watching (29:10), including Pacific Opera Victoria's Flight of the Hummingbird and Atomic Vaudeville's latest virtual cabaret, as well as some venues and events that might actually get you away from a computer screen (39:50), including the reopening of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Royal BC Museum, and the Vic Theatre, Oliver Swain's physically distanced outdoor concerts, and Coffeehouse Theatre's CoffeeMakers Festival.

Our first physically distant episode. We talk to Atomic Vaudeville's Britt Small about their first virtual cabaret (1:26), what we are watching at home (26:07) and an interview with Janet Munsil about her Canadian Play Thing (42:29). With Amanda Farrell-Low, John Threlfall, Sarah Petrescu, Melanie Tromp Hoover, Briana Bock and Tim Ford.

We introduced Tim, our new contributor (1:00), chat about the Belfry's Spark Festival, where we managed to catch Busted Up and Destiny, USA before the fest got cancelled (8:04), and then discuss the COVID-19 outbreak and the huge impact that is having on the arts scene here and beyond (20:49). 

March 17 update: this is an edited version of the original episode that was uploaded March 15, changed to reflect event cancellations and venue closures that have happened since then as bans on gatherings of more than 50 people were put in place on Monday, March 16. Other events and seasons have also since cancelled or postponed.

We review the Ministry of Grace at the Belfry (1:08),  Phoenix Theatre's Comic Potential (11:00), The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Night Time at Theatre Inconnu (18:56) Intrepid Theatre's Outstages Festival (27:15), Dance Victoria's presentation of Kidd Pivot's Revisor (34:20), put a call for BIPOC reviewers/contributors for our podcast (40:14), plus a look at what's coming up.

We were snowed in and couldn't record our regular podcast, so revisited a few of our favourite 2019 interviews, including Lindsay Delaronde (1:47), Ingrid Hansen of SNAFU Dance Theatre (15:45), Carey Wass aka Carey-OK (28:12) and the Wonderment music series (40:57).

Sound designer Brian Linds talks about his work on Every Brilliant Thing at the Belfry Theatre, selling off his massive record collection, and his years hosting the legendary Uncle Bri's Fun House on CFUV.

We review Theatre Inconnu's Crumble (Lay me down, Justin Timberlake) ( 2:00) The Belfry's Every Brilliant Thing (7:56) and do quick hits on the short runs on the remount of GRL PWR (20:40) and the world premiere of Secret/e (24:43). Plus an interview with Every Brilliant Thing's sound designer Brian Linds. (28:41).

We review the Belfry's Bang Bang (1:25), Blue Bridge's 39 Steps (12:19) and the remount of Pacific Opera Victoria's Missing (19:30), plus interview hapax theatre's Heather Jarvie about their production of local playwright Janet Munsil's Be Still and what it's like being one of the newer theatre companies in town.

Amanda, John, Melanie, Sarah and special guest Brianna Bock review Pacific Opera Victoria's Il Trittico (2:14), Emerald City Project at William Head on Stage (8:20), Atomic Vaudeville's Rocky Horror Show (14:56) and Starry Starry Sky's Once More with Feeling: An Unlicensed Buffie The Vampyre Slayer Parody  (22:56). Plus we chat affordable artist housing (29:10) and arts spaces (34:38), including updates on the Victoria Edelweiss Club and info from Councillor Jeremy Loveday.

As the fall arts season kicks off, we review The Children at the Belfry (1:23), Dead Man's Cell Phone at Theatre Inconnu (6:39) and Over the River and Through the Woods at Langham Court Theatre (8:28). Plus we spoke with Paper Street Theatre's Dave Morris about how he programs the longform improv company's season (15:35) and a look ahead at some arts events in October (27:09).

Check the Program's Amanda Farrell-Low stops by CBC Radio's All Points West on Friday August 30 to talk about our coverage of the Victoria Fringe Festival, including some top picks for the weekend.

As we head into the final weekend of the 33rd annual Victoria Fringe Festival, the CTP team, plus guest reviewer Brianna Bock, share some of their favourite shows, their disappointments, and other Fringe moments from this year.

John, Melanie, Amanda and Sarah get together to review Blue Bridge's season closer A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1:13), Boom X at the Belfry (4:59) and chat about the upcoming Victoria Fringe festival with special guest Wilhelm, who has some tips on how to be a Super Frinjer.

Amanda, Sarah and John review Blue Bridge's Master Builder(1:54) and get a sneak peek at a new show by local tenor Isaiah Bell, A Book of my Shames (8:14), plus chat artsy news like the Rifflandia postponement and Phillips Backyard Weekender lineup announcement (11:50), the City of Victoria's hiring of a consultant to create a new late night strategy and municipal alcohol strategy (something we have heard before...15:39). Plus an interview with ProArt award recipient Colton Hash (19:30) and a look ahead at the rest of June (35:35). Thanks to Colton for the interview, and to Carey Wass (Carey-OK) for the intro music, extro music by Sister Nancy.

The CTP crew was busy out on the town! We have reviews of Langham Court Theatre's Quartet (1:30), Victoria Operatic Society's Shrek (6:29), Pacific Opera Victoria's Countess Maritza (12:50) and the first week of Intrepid Theatre's Uno Festival (17:43), some local artsy news, including a look at some of the artsy history of the Plaza Hotel, which was destroyed by fire this week (26:19), plus a look ahead at the next couple weeks in the arts (31:31).

With special guest Carey Wass aka Carey-OK! We review Dance Victoria's presentation of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (1:54), the Belfry's 4,000 Miles (7:26) and Canadian College of Performing Arts' West Side Story (19:05), plus chat with Carey about his solo show Timeless Timely Tunes, which you can catch at Intrepid Theatre's Uno Festival. Plus Carey wrote us a song. Apologies for the audio glitches during the 4,000 Miles review...our equipment was on the fritz.

We review Other Guys Theatre's premiere of Alan Morgan's Walk the Line (1:17), Hapax Theatre's production of Daniel MacIvor's In on it (4:07), plus chat with playwright Kristin Atwood and director Kathleen Greenfield about SNAFU's Dance Theatre's new documentary play Calling Home: Stories from Military Families--and even get a scene preview from the show (7:28). We also offer our hot takes on some of the recent 2019/2020 season announcements (15:56), chat artsy news (24:28), and look ahead at the next couple weeks (28:10).

We do a recap of the Belfry's Spark Festival (1:02), chat about some local artsy news (Rock the Shores! Save Hermann's! The latest in the RMTS back and forth! How David Foster can save Victoria's arts scene! Starts at 13:50) and then chat with local performer, playwright and puppeteer Ingrid Hansen about her summer gig working at a top-secret Sesame Workshop show in NYC (21:51).

What happens when our creative work takes you in a whole new direction? We speak with Mercedes Bátiz-Benét and Mike Delamont (11:23), two local artists who have tackled this quandary (and whose work can be seen at Langham Court and the Belfry's Spark Festival this month). Plus a review of That Elusive Spark at Langham Court Theatre (1:25) and a peek at the City of Victoria's proposed public-art budget and a look ahead at arts events (25:20).

We review Phoenix's Trojan Women (1:03), Theatre SKAM's  7eventy 7even (5:09) and Pacific Opera Victoria's La Traviata (11:49), including an interview with UVic English Professor Erin Kelly talking about the trope of fallen women and the virgin/whore dichotomy in the arts (14:39). We also chat about what bad touring theatre could mean for our civic arts venues (24:47) and take a look at some of the many arts and culture events rounding out the rest of February (28:20).

Our first ever bonus content! Here is Amanda's full interview with Lindsay Delaronde, a multidisciplinary Iroquois Mohawk artist who recently wrapped up a two-year term as the City of Victoria's first-ever Indigenous Artist in Residence. Thanks to Lindsay for taking the time to share with us.

Amanda, John and Sarah review Bears at the Belfry (1:07) and speak with Lindsay Delaronde, who recently wrapped up a two-year term as the City of Victoria's first-ever Indigenous Artist in Residence (10:24).