The Shoplifters – play tackles social inequalities

“The Shoplifters is a comedy,” says Agnes Tong, an actor in the play. “There are underlying political themes but it’s not a social activism play.” The play will be going on tour across the lower mainland from Jan. 9–Feb. 9, 2020. Art makes an impact “Art is a way to challenge systems and to challenge…

Universality in a Japanese Story: Kuroko premieres in Vancouver

A story of isolation, family ties, and virtual reality is set to hit the stage in Tetsuro Shigematsu’s play, Kuroko. This new play is directed by Amiel Gladstone and the world premiere will take place Nov. 6–17 at the Cultch Historic Theatre. Shigematsu is the visionary behind Kuroko and many other successful plays like Empire of the Son, which had…

The Creature Creeps!: a Halloween comedy for everyone

For their annual Halloween celebration of ghouls and ghosts, Stage 43 Theatrical Society has a new show that offers a comedic spin on spooky classics. The Creature Creeps!, the first show of Stage 43’s 2019–2020 season, is halfway through its run at Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre, with four more shows from Oct. 23–26. Written by…

A bus tour with El Jaguar

“We’re looking down at our phones so often that we rarely look up. This bus tour is a way of looking up and engaging with your city in a completely new way,” says the Mexican luchador known as El Jaguar. He will be hosting the El Jaguar Fiesta Bus Tour taking place in Vancouver from Oct. 18–20 as part…

The foreign place

In some ways the modern world has created a universal diaspora as people move and settle in new places, all the while hoping for better opportunities or more fertile beginnings for their children. As people grow and face the conflicting natures of their homeland’s culture (kept close through the efforts of parents or the individuals…

Art Iimitating life: AWAY with HOME production in Vancouver

Youth sharing their voices with a community is very important for Elaine Carol and Miscellaneous Productions, which showcases real issues from actual youth performers in their production AWAY with HOME. The original play, a collection of compelling stories from all walks of life, will be presented at the Scotiabank Dance Centre Sept. 27 and 28. “The…

The hardest laugh

The year 2009 was seen by many as the birth of a new discussion on race relations. Many saw the election of America’s first black president as the start of a post-racial era. At that time, playwright Young Jean Lee was finishing off her newest effort, The Shipment. A pointed and upfront commentary on racial stereotyping…

A fresh take on two Noh plays

Two Modern Noh Plays By Yukio Mishima will premiere Sept. 6 and run through Sept. 14 at the Vancity Lab at The Clutch. The dual production features two plays: Sotoba Komachi, directed by Kenneth Tynan and Hanjo, directed by Kate Ely. “Both plays dance around the theme of love; the reality of what it means to love…

SHIFT Festival – New work created and performed by women

The 12th annual SHIFT Festival will combine movement, music, and sharp personal notes in a 90-minute show diverse in form yet linked in theme. The three-day festival offers three pieces for one price from July 11–13. A platform for expression Marie’s Letters is about the experience and survival of the Métis, with indigenous artist Tai Amy…

Mamma Mia – stepping into a new role

The sky’s the limit for Joshua Lalisan, a 20-year-old actor and dancer living in Surrey, British Columbia. He will be playing the role of Sky Rymand in Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) rendition of Mamma Mia. The character of Sky Rymand is the love interest of Sophie Sheridan, a woman trying to find her father. Sky…

All’s Well That Ends Well: A new take on a Shakespeare classic

All’s Well That Ends Well is one of four offerings from this year’s Bard on the Beach, but this production has a brand new perspective. With a fresh staging that aims to shine a different spotlight onto this Shakespearian text, the performance will run from June 26 to Aug. 11. A collaborative piece While the original…

A back-alley and a chicken shop inspire playwright

A fantastical show with a setting that is both otherworldly and very personal, Chicken Girl is the newest production from rice & beans theatre. The show will run from May 24–June 7 at the Orpheum Annex. A personal connection Chicken Girl is written and directed by Derek Chan, co-artistic director of rice & beans theatre. It contains three different…

The theatrical world of puppets

In Shadows, Strings and Other Things: The Enchanting Theatre of Puppets, visitors will be able to explore a series of elaborate stages that have been created especially for the puppets exhibition. Curator Nicola Levell believes that visitors will be surprised by how the gallery has been transformed in order to accommodate the exhibition. “It is incredibly…