I saw this show last night as part of the Alberta Culture Days, which ran September 26 - 28, 2014. It was playing in Okotoks at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre, and my daughter was part of the show.
Downsides
There were about 8 or 10 vulgarities thrown out during this performance. Everything above the first 4 was not needed - it didn't add anything at all. I noticed several audience members cringe at the sound of the few F bombs that were dropped. The context of the first few fit into what was being portrayed in that scene, and it worked there. Pretty much every swear thrown out in Act 2 could have been eliminated and the show would have been better for it.
I also think the different actors all having very different accents was distracting. Making the jump back and forth, trying to decide if this was set in the USA or England, or somewhere else, made it a little difficult to follow at times.
Lastly, the technical side was lacking in the sound department. The first 5 performers had wireless microphones, so they could heard well enough, but everyone else did not. There were definitely parts throughout the show where it was difficult to hear what someone was saying, and the uneven sound balance didn't help. Either have all your actors wear mics, or none at all. The half and half is distracting. And if they are not wearing mic's...make them project!
Upsides
There were some great performances, and I want to highlight them here.
Maria Zimmermann - I liked that you presented each line with clarity, strength, and good volume. If each cast member could have been as concise in their speech as you were, most of the 'downsides' comments would not have been there. Excellent job - I was honestly impressed. Kudos!
Chloe and James Payton - easily my choice as the best "couple" for the show. Strong reading, making good choices in voice inflection, pauses in speech, and other small nuances that made each role believable. Very well done!
Stephanie Carter, Richard Carter, Jared McCollum, Jane Husband - for each of you, I felt you were a strong character presence, and I would have liked to see more if this wasn't a Reader's Theatre style show. I think giving you each some additional blocking would have brought out more of your talent, and enhanced each role. Next time! I'll be happy to see it.
Dean Goll, Shannon Thornton - a toss up for my second favourite "couple". Both of you have strong stage presence, and there was so much imagery you created from voice inflection alone at times, it painted a perfect picture for the audience to imagine. Great job!
Overall
The overall rating for this show is that it was very entertaining, a great night out to listen to the love letters between two friends, spanning their entire lives. I enjoyed it, and with some minor tweaking of sound, would give it two thumbs up! Just the right mix of laughter, sadness, and thought provoking dialogue. Thank you all for working on this show and performing for the Alberta Culture Days!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
McCracken 2: The Whackening
I saw the first instalment of this show, and I loved, and it was the same with #2. The Whackening was certainly a treat to see!
Front of House
The evening started stressful. The show was supposed to begin at 7:30 - at 7:40, the doors were finally opened and people were filing in. Which was a nightmare, because from 6:50 to the moment the doors were opened the lobby was filling up very quickly. Half of that time was wasted standing in line waiting for buy a ticket along with everyone else.
And there was no organization. None. This entrance experience was frustrating and very unprofessional. This needs to be fixed for the next shows.
Thankfully, the show was riotously entertaining, so it saved the day from he aggravation of feeling like herded and panicked sheep once the doors opened.
Show Time
The only fault I can find in either show is the swearing that occurs. Honestly, I understand they are going for realism - after all, in a world of spies, assassin, contract killers, and mobsters, I am pretty sure that a few bad words are going to slip out once in a while. However, this is still a stage, you have an audience wanting to be entertained - the bottom line is that the F bombs and other vulgarities did not add anything to the show, and were unnecessary.
I'd like to be clear - I am not opposed to swearing if it would add to the story, further the plot line, or is in some way required in the scene. Here - it wasn't needed at all. There is so much action going on, so many points to ponder or situations to laugh at, that the swearing just distracted from the story for that brief moment, every time one was said.
Other than that, this was fantastic! Our group thoroughly enjoyed the show, and love the integration of video footage and stage acting. Brilliant again, McCracken!
My favourite scene has to be the going up through all the levels to get to the top of the building, and encountering different villains along the way. And to top it all off, a wrestling match with two mask Mexicano wrestlers! (They looked like life size versions of the Koodo ad mini man.) Absolutely wonderful music, film, choreography, and stunt / fight work.
Accidental Humour Co., congratulations, you've hit a jackpot with a great show that is entertaining all around! Looking forward to McCrackin 3 already!
Front of House
The evening started stressful. The show was supposed to begin at 7:30 - at 7:40, the doors were finally opened and people were filing in. Which was a nightmare, because from 6:50 to the moment the doors were opened the lobby was filling up very quickly. Half of that time was wasted standing in line waiting for buy a ticket along with everyone else.
And there was no organization. None. This entrance experience was frustrating and very unprofessional. This needs to be fixed for the next shows.
Thankfully, the show was riotously entertaining, so it saved the day from he aggravation of feeling like herded and panicked sheep once the doors opened.
Show Time
The only fault I can find in either show is the swearing that occurs. Honestly, I understand they are going for realism - after all, in a world of spies, assassin, contract killers, and mobsters, I am pretty sure that a few bad words are going to slip out once in a while. However, this is still a stage, you have an audience wanting to be entertained - the bottom line is that the F bombs and other vulgarities did not add anything to the show, and were unnecessary.
I'd like to be clear - I am not opposed to swearing if it would add to the story, further the plot line, or is in some way required in the scene. Here - it wasn't needed at all. There is so much action going on, so many points to ponder or situations to laugh at, that the swearing just distracted from the story for that brief moment, every time one was said.
My favourite scene has to be the going up through all the levels to get to the top of the building, and encountering different villains along the way. And to top it all off, a wrestling match with two mask Mexicano wrestlers! (They looked like life size versions of the Koodo ad mini man.) Absolutely wonderful music, film, choreography, and stunt / fight work.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Edge of Tomorrow
This movie was great!
Tom Cruise is at it again with an action movie that is a mix of Battle: Los Angeles, Mass Effect, and Groundhog Day. Edge of Tomorrow is great entertainment from every angle. There is plenty of action, mixed with a little drama, some romance, and (if you are a little twisted) the humour is often a sudden shock implanted in several quick scenes sure to leave you smiling.
Special FX were fantastic. It was refreshing to see an alien that wasn't a typical evil killer. This alien menace reminded me a lot of the Mass Effect game franchise, and that is a good thing.
The only two critiques I might have are minor, and I am not sure there would have been time in the film to explore either one of them anyway. First is a psychological analysis of Cage (and possibly Rita as well). After all, any human being going through the endless live-die-repeat cycle would be bound to begin developing some kind of mental issues...wouldn't they? Or maybe it could quickly be explained away by the fact that only a strong mind and willpower would have been able to make the reoccurring time jump in the first place...?
The second is the ending, which seemed too much of a perfect ending. Don't get me wrong, I liked the ending as it was! Good choices. It just may have been nice to see a little bit of a darker ending that isn't a stereotypical "and we all live happily ever after". (I have several ideas on what might have made better endings...I may save that for another blog post another day.)
Overall, I can find no fault in acting, directing, costuming, make up....from every facet it is a great film. Yes, you do need to suspend some disbelief, after all it is a Science Fiction story so that should go without saying, however this story is presented in a way that lets it remain believable.
Special kudos go out to:
Bill Paxton - his role as the Sergeant in charge was brilliant! Thank you for the grins!
Tom Cruise - from beginning to end, a treat. It was nice to see that this man was pretty much an ordinary joe who learned how to be a soldier, rather than the invincible agent from the start.
Emily Blunt - you played the character so well, it was seamless, flawless. Bravo! I think your stance with your weapons and armour fully loaded was one of the best pictures reminiscent of Mass Effect (one of the best video games to ever grace video screens world wide).
Brendan Gleeson - you must have been in the military at some point before! Strong, confident, uncompromising, just what a military general would need to be. I couldn't help but hear a bit of Mad-Eye Moody in your lines, but for the role I think it fit.
Noah Taylor - not a major role in time on-screen, but a major role to help progress the plot and fully explain the details of the depth of the war the planet was in. Great portrayal of the "mad" scientist who isn't really all that mad. I think the movie could have used this character more.
If you have not seen this film, stop reading this and go, go right now, and buy it! It's worth the watch.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
12 Angry Men - by Simply Theatre
Normally when I write a review, or perhaps discuss it with others if it is not getting written down, I like to bring home a program so I can make specific notes about those actors that have done something of special note (whether it was good or bad)!
Tonight, I decided not to do that.
Tonight, I saw a show that began with some hesitancy. At first I thought it was a nervous cast, maybe not quite in character. But as the momentum continued, I realized that this must have been by design. Each juror's thoughts, feelings, and their personalities came out bit by bit, allowing the audience to be drawn in carefully. Too fast, it ruins the discovery. Too slow, ruins the mood and turns it to boredom.
Tonight, in my humble yet accurate opinion...it was perfect.
Overall
It was a dramatic conflict to the very end. And the conflict is revealed in so many ways. I highly recommend seeing this if you can still find a ticket - only three days left, I believe!
One thing that I noted several times through both acts was the audience reaction. I could see on the faces of many people their own choices of what to vote. They were engaged from the start.
Truly, it was a tremendous job by everyone involved. I mean that. Everyone. You each stepped up to the plate and maintained your stance right through to the last light. Brilliant.
Scene / Stage Presence
I loved the use of the small space of the theatre. Having the audience surround the juror's table was a great use of the space, and put the entire crowd in the room with them, casting our own votes, and wanting to hear more of the evidence play out.
My only catch with this was that, while the dress and set was of an old style, it felt like it was missing something to truly set the time period in the 1950's. I can't put my finger quite on what it needed to make that feeling happen, though, so maybe it was unnecessary.
Technical (Sound and Lighting)
Very little to speak of here. Lighting and sound cues were seamless, and there were very few cues to begin with, which is exactly what this story needed because the drama unfolds from the actors, not the set or technical aspects around them. Good choices, well done.
Cast Notes
What do I say about 12 jurors who knocked this one out of the park? Congratulations, men, you did it! Home run!
Juror #1 - Kyle Gould
Juror #2 - Ryan Patterson
Juror #3 - Greg Spielman
Juror #4 - Dorin McIntosh
Juror #5 - Fadi Saghir
Juror #6 - Darren Stewart
Juror #7 - Courtney Nelson
Juror #8 - James Noonan
Juror #9 - Tim Elliott
Juror #10 - John Whidden
Juror #11 - Murray Melnychuk
Juror #12 - Bryan Smith
Guard - Bryan Weir
To each of these cast members, I say Bravo! Two thumbs up to each of you. I didn't get a chance to shake everyone's hand - I missed about three I think. So to everyone please accept my warmest and kindest thanks for putting on a show tonight of excellent quality.
Tonight, I decided not to do that.
Tonight, I saw a show that began with some hesitancy. At first I thought it was a nervous cast, maybe not quite in character. But as the momentum continued, I realized that this must have been by design. Each juror's thoughts, feelings, and their personalities came out bit by bit, allowing the audience to be drawn in carefully. Too fast, it ruins the discovery. Too slow, ruins the mood and turns it to boredom.
Tonight, in my humble yet accurate opinion...it was perfect.
It was a dramatic conflict to the very end. And the conflict is revealed in so many ways. I highly recommend seeing this if you can still find a ticket - only three days left, I believe!
One thing that I noted several times through both acts was the audience reaction. I could see on the faces of many people their own choices of what to vote. They were engaged from the start.
Truly, it was a tremendous job by everyone involved. I mean that. Everyone. You each stepped up to the plate and maintained your stance right through to the last light. Brilliant.
Scene / Stage Presence
I loved the use of the small space of the theatre. Having the audience surround the juror's table was a great use of the space, and put the entire crowd in the room with them, casting our own votes, and wanting to hear more of the evidence play out.
My only catch with this was that, while the dress and set was of an old style, it felt like it was missing something to truly set the time period in the 1950's. I can't put my finger quite on what it needed to make that feeling happen, though, so maybe it was unnecessary.
Technical (Sound and Lighting)
Very little to speak of here. Lighting and sound cues were seamless, and there were very few cues to begin with, which is exactly what this story needed because the drama unfolds from the actors, not the set or technical aspects around them. Good choices, well done.
Cast Notes
What do I say about 12 jurors who knocked this one out of the park? Congratulations, men, you did it! Home run!
Juror #1 - Kyle Gould
Juror #2 - Ryan Patterson
Juror #3 - Greg Spielman
Juror #4 - Dorin McIntosh
Juror #5 - Fadi Saghir
Juror #6 - Darren Stewart
Juror #7 - Courtney Nelson
Juror #8 - James Noonan
Juror #9 - Tim Elliott
Juror #10 - John Whidden
Juror #11 - Murray Melnychuk
Juror #12 - Bryan Smith
Guard - Bryan Weir
To each of these cast members, I say Bravo! Two thumbs up to each of you. I didn't get a chance to shake everyone's hand - I missed about three I think. So to everyone please accept my warmest and kindest thanks for putting on a show tonight of excellent quality.
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