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.