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.

With gatherings over 50 banned, will we see any live theatre or performance this summer? Theatre SKAM thinks so--and has some ideas in the works. We speak with Theatre SKAM's Matthew Payne (1:26) about their tentative plans for their annual outdoor SKAMpede festival, summer camps, theatre home delivery and other potential activities. Plus what we have been watching at home, with local content from UNO Fest online and Charles Ross' One Man Star Wars as well as some national and international entertainment (21:17) and local arts news, including the AGGV reopening, the City of Victoria pondering support for the arts, why are symphonies singled out in BC's Phase 3 plan? and local performer Jimbo on Canada's Drag Race (42:14).

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.

CTP's Amanda Farrell-Low chats with David Bodrug of the Garden City Electronic Music Society and the Wonderment live ambient music series as well as musicians Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness as they prepare for a performance in the courtyard at downtown Victoria's public library. Track listing: Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness: Cloud Sea Moon Rise Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness: Live in the library courtyard Matt Thibideau: Time Stands

July was super busy, so we have a bit of a long one for you. Featuring a recap of Hedwig and the Angry Inch ( 1:48), the 20th Anniversary of the Ska and Reggae Festival (5:48) and a production of Pamela Bethel's After the Beep (7:44), plus meatier reviews of the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival's Two Gentlemen of Verona (8:30) and Julius Caesar (12:35), Blue Bridge Theatre's Barefoot in the Park (18:06) and hapax theatre's Constellations (25:37). In artsy news, we chat about the big news that local concert promoters Atomique Productions and venue the Capital Ballroom have been sold to a Vancouver company (29:10) and that musician Kathryn Calder has been named the City of Victoria's newest Artist in Residence (33:05). Plus a clip from our mini documentary on the Wonderment music series (35:25) and a look ahead at events for the rest of July (41:05). Intro theme by Carey-OK, extro music is "Take a Little Time" by Kathryn Calder.

CTP's full interview with multimedia artist Colton Hash, recent recipient of ProArt's Witness Legacy Award for Social Purpose and Responsibility Through Art award. See his work at coltonhash.com. Recorded May 2019.

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).

Happy New Year! We review 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Langham Court Theatre, which runs until February 2 (1:08) and chat about the Victoria Symphony's Music of Star Wars (8:04) and how film music/scores fit into the symphony programming's past, present and future. For our feature section, we learned a lot about the history of queer theatre festivals in Canada (15:05) via interviews with Alan Chaffe (who is doing a PhD on Canadian queer theatre festivals at UVic) and Sean Guist ( the curator of Intrepid Theatre's OUTstages queer theatre festival, which opens February 1).

Reviews of the Belfry's Griffin and Sabine (1:15), Atomic Vaudeville's holiday pantomime at the Roxy (7:12) and Charles Ross' new One Man Stranger Things show (12:20), plus a discussion of changes at the Royal and McPherson Theatres that will have a big impact on some local arts groups (14:59).

Reviews of Theatre Inconnu's Trad (1:03), Canadian College of Performing Arts' Penelopiad (6:20), Dance Victoria's Dance Me and the Nutcracker (10:08) and the Victoria Operatic Society 's Rent, which included a discussion about diversity and representation in theatre (16:15). Plus, a look ahead at the holidays (28:15).

John, Sarah, Melanie and Amanda review Langham Court's Goodnight Mr. Tom (1:00), the Drowsy Chaperone at UVic's Phoenix Theatre (6:28) and the Belfry's Mustard (9:44), plus a preview of Impulse Theatre's Peek Fest (17:35), mini reviews of a couple visual-art shows (Madrona Gallery's Shuvinai Ashoona and the Makeshift textile festival) (26:00) as well as Phantom Signal and Kevin McDonald at the Metro (28:05) and a look ahead at the next couple weeks in local arts.

We review Blue Bridge Theatre's Billy Bishop Goes to War (1:21), have a little discussion about theatre-snacking etiquette (6:36) and talk a bit about the AGGV Brainstorm exhibit, which looks towards the gallery's upcoming expansion and renovation (10:33). Also, a chat with Jen Nichols, Community Outreach Coordinator with the CRD's Arts & Culture Support Service, about their new capacity-building sessions for arts groups (14:56) and a look at some visual art, music and theatre shows coming up.

Melanie, John, Sarah and Amanda review Mamahood: Bursting into Light at the Phoenix (1:02), Pacific Opera Victoria's Fidelio (5:35) and William Head on Stage's The Crossroads: A Prison Cabaret (11:18). Plus plenty of talk of the Victoria municipal election (17:14) and the ProArt - Victoria Mayoral Candidate Forum on the Arts that occurred last week. Theme music by Croatia: croatia.bandcamp.com/

Amanda, John, Melanie and Sarah talk with venerable arts supporter Janis La Couvee (0:58s) about her retiring and leaving Victoria and the past, present and future of the Victoria theatre scene she's covered so diligently over the past 10+ years, plus reviews of A Doll's House, Part 2 at the Belfry (18:33), Langham Court Theatre's Blithe Spirit (23:13) and Frankenstein at Theatre Inconnu (26:21). Plus a look ahead at the next couple weeks in cultural happenings (30:44). Theme music by Croatia: croatia.bandcamp.com/ Closing tune by Astrocolor: http://www.astrocolormusic.com/

Our extra long fall preview episode! We do a Victoria Fringe recap (1:01), and then delve into arts offerings this fall (8:13), including the Belfry, Phoenix Theatre, Langham Court, Pacific Opera Victoria, Victoria Operatic Society, Intrepid Theatre, Canadian College of Performing Arts (we have an interview with new managing director Caleb Marshall starting at 15:49), Theatre Inconnu, Ballet Victoria, Dance Victoria, Victoria Symphony, Impulse Theatre, Deluge Gallery, William Head on Stage, Legacy Gallery, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Madrona Gallery, MediaNET, Open Space, and the Butler Book Prize. We also look at what is coming up this weekend, which includes Rifflandia (40:08) HUMP! Film Festival (43:50), as well as some other one-off and music picks. Theme music by Croatia: https://croatia.bandcamp.com/ Closing tune from Diamond Cafe: https://diamondcafe.bandcamp.com/

The team chats about the John A. MacDonald statue removal from Victoria City Hall (1:00), reviews of Theatre SKAM's Concord Floral (8:30) and Blue Bridge's Sweeney Todd (14:16). We also talk about the Victoria Fringe, what we are most excited to see, and how we are planning on tackling reviews (21:40).

A rapid-fire review episode for a busy July! Melanie, Sarah, John and Amanda chat about Blue Bridge's Drawer Boy (1:12), Illicit: A Shadow Story (5:49), Andrew Bailey's Brain Machine (11:00), Theatre SKAM's SKAMpede (15:03), and The Tempest and Pericles at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival (20:10). Plus, could a revamp of Centennial Square make for more downtown site-specific art (25:58) and a look at upcoming arts events for July and early August (27:57).

Sarah, John, Melanie and Amanda are back with a look back at faves from last arts season (including shows from the Belfry, SNAFU Dance Theatre, Nicola Gunn, Pacific Opera Victoria, Dance Victoria, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and Rifflandia/Atomique) (0:56), some gripes about the lack of a comprehensive arts calendar in Victoria, featuring an interview with Karen Lee Picket of the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival (14:51), some artsy news re: Vancouver Island School of Art, Open Space, and local Telefilm Canada Talent to Watch winners (25:18) and a quick preview of a busy July (28:50), with Atomic Vaudeville's Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Blue Bridge's The Drawer Boy, Andrew Bailey's Brain Machine, CFUV's Eventide concerts, SKAMpede, Shakespeare Fest's Pericles and the Tempest, Paper Street Theatre's Yes and Yesteryear, Suddenly Dance's Bomberman, Pride events and more.

After a vacation break, Amanda, Melanie, John and Sarah review UnoFest (2:30), Blue Bridge Theatre's All My Sons (7:04), Langham Court's Chorus of Disapproval (11:04) an update on Open Space (15:46) and a look AGGV's Supernatural and Lindsay Delaronde's Forgive (17:26). Plus an update on the new Malahat Review editor (21:26), the tale of duelling Jazzfests (23:11) and a chat about OutStages (25:43), Skafest (27:51), the Gettin' Higher Choir (28:10) and a call for some summer theme show ideas (31:36).

John, Amanda and Melanie review Theatre Inconnu (0:33), Blue Bridge (3:52), Victoria Operatic Society (8:34), Confabulation (10:53), Canadian College of Performing Arts (13:43) and Dance Berserker Dance (15:13). We also chat about Carey Newman winning the Inaugural ProArt Alliance 2018 Regional Arts Award (19:11), updates on Open Space update (21:54) and the Vancouver Island School of Art (23:01), the UVic Visual Arts MFA show reclaiming empty storefronts (23:45) and a preview of Intrepid Theatre's UNO Fest of solo performance (25:05).

John, Amanda, Melanie and Sarah review Pacific Opera Victoria (0:46), Dance Victoria (4:44), Puente Theatre (7:33),the Belfry (9:28), Langham Court (13:25) and the Camosun College and UVic visual art grad shows (On the Cusp and Good Grief!) 16:27. They also discuss the news that Vancouver Island School of Art needs to find a new home (18:21) and speak with the arts community about the proposal to create an arts hub in the old Courthouse in Bastion Square (19:41), including interviews with Ian Case (director of ceremonies and events and Farquahar Auditorium at UVic and longtime professional artist), Matthew Payne (artistic producer, Theatre Skam) and Mercedes Bátiz-Benét (artistic director, Puente Theatre). Plus a look ahead (30:33) to Theatre Inconnu, Uno, Paper Street's Improv Festival, Get Out Cabaret, and some '90s nostalgia.

Sarah Petrescu, John Threlfall, Amanda Farrell-Low and Melanie-Tromp Hoover have a long history of arts and culture journalism in Victoria, so we decided to get together and talk about it. In this episode: reviews of Twelfth(ish) Night by Launch Pad Theatre, on until April 14 (2:55), Comedy of Errors at the Phoenix Theatre (5:13), Kent Monkman's keynote at Moving Trans History Forward (March 24) (6:23) Victoria Arts Council's Look Show, on until April 15 (7:45), and the Belfry Theatre's Spark Festival wrap up (Tomorrow's Child, Cafe Daughter) (8:55). On the newsier end, we discuss the ongoing happenings at Open Space (12:42) (with thanks to visual artist and interim Open Space board of directors president Charles Campbell for speaking with us), We also discussed the proposal of converting the former Maritime Museum in Bastion Square as an arts hub (22:02), which appears to be gaining traction with a presentation to Victoria City Council scheduled for April 5. Plus a look ahead.

Our inaugural episode! Amanda, Sarah and John talk about why we feel Victoria needs an arts podcast, plus the Belfry's Spark Festival, Dance Victoria's presentation of Company Wayne Gregor, Cassils at the University of Victoria, Capital City Comic Con, Open Space, The City of Victoria's artists in residence, Uno, and more.