The Olympics may have ended last night (or early this morning depending on which party you were at), but the Paralympics are less than two weeks away and the Cultural Olympiad is still out in full force. Add to that, all the companies that were reluctant to run shows during the Olympics have shows opening soon. What that leaves is one very busy month of theatre. These are the three that top my list as “must sees” for March.
1. Hive 3 (Presented by Theatre Conspiracy, The Only Animal, Radix Theatre, The Electric Company, Boca Del Lupo, Rumble Productions, Theatre Replacement, neworld theatre, leaky heaven circus, theatre skam, pi theatre & Felix Culpa)
The Centre for Digital Media
577 Great Northern Way, Vancouver
MARCH 11-14, 17-20: 7pm-Late
Tickets available at 604-629-VTIX or www.vancouvertix.com
Hive (in all its incarnations) has been one of those events that you have to attend to really understand. It is hard to put into words. It is 12 plays by 12 companies in one giant warehouse. It is a giant party. It is concerts by bands from across the country. It is impossible to take it all in on a single night – the 12 plays occurs simultaneously throughout the warehouse – each in a different corner for a different sized audience (usually ranging from 1 – 15). Most of these shows are devised specifically for this event. It’s the kind of night out that fits with the conversations that took place at the #Newplay Devised Work Convening.
Author’s note: I am working with pi theatre on this project as an ASM. But even if I weren’t taking part in it, I would still be telling you to go see it. It’s that kind of event.
2. Spine (Presented by Realwheels)
Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU/ Woodwards.
March 10-20, 2010: 8pm
Tickets available online.
From the SFU Woodwards website:
While traveling the universe of avatars, inhabiting online realities and identities, a man discovers the intriguing possibility of reinventing his physical body through a blend of ambitious, cutting-edge technologies and ethically questionable experiments. It’s a thrilling hunt for the body that will best define us, in a world where the virtual can be more real than the real itself.
Written by Kevin Kerr (Unity:1918, Skydive, & Studies in Motion) & directed by Bob Frazer.
3. Paradise Garden (Presented by The Arts Club)
March 11–April 11, 2010 | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
The Blurb:
Local boy Day, a free spirit, lives next door to worldly Layla, a career-driven intellectual. The two have nothing in common. Or do they? Over time these divergent souls come to understand each other in a way neither thought possible. A contemporary tale of romance and cultural divides so engaging it will change the way you see the girl (or boy) next door!
Written by Lucia Frangione (Holy Mo, Espresso, Cariboo Magi & more), this play is receiving its world premiere as a part of the Cultural Olympiad. Lucia’s writing is smart, honest, funny & often heart-wrenching. My friends and I are already planning a group outing to see this show.
Did I miss any shows that top your list for March? Let me know in the comments.