In Search of Mozart
October 1, 2007 6:45pm
Granville 7 Theatre 2
Last year was the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. And quite fortuitously director Phil Grabsky had finished his previous film (The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan) and was ready to embark on a new project just in time to hit this date.
The documentary chronologically narrates the achievements of Mozart's life. From his birth in Salzburg, his first composition Andante in C for Keyboard, K. 1a when he was five years-old, to his death in Vienna at age 35, and his last incomplete composition Requiem Mass in D minor, K. 626.
The selection of musicians and scholars interviewed is very intentionally international. Languages spoken include English, German, Czech, Italian, and French which are the languages Mozart would have learned in his travels across the courts of Europe.
What may be reassuring to mere mortal musicians is how even as a musical genius, Mozart was really a working musician. His brilliant output was his way of making a living. He wrote on commission, and when he was writing for himself it was for a concert performance with a paying audience.
The film debunks a number of myths about Mozart's life introduced by the 1984 film Amadeus. Although he had a lot of debts, Mozart was not a pauper when he died. The likely cause of death was rheumatic fever—he was not poisoned. No mention is made at all of Salieri although it was acknowledged that Mozart did make enemies of other less talented but more politically savvy court composers.
The film's final image is a graphic illustration of Mozart's prodigious output. A stack of manuscript books seems to go on forever as the camera pans up.
There's almost too much information in this film. At a runtime of 128 minutes it packs a lot of biographic information, interviews, and music into a dense package—too many notes! Even so, this is not the ultimate documentary on Mozart. In the Q&A after the movie, Grabsky mentions that the first cut of the film was over 12 hours long.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
VIFF Review: El Benny
El Benny
September 30, 2007 6:40pm
Granville 7 Theatre 3
El Benny is a fictionalized account of Cuban singer Benny Moré. The film starts at a low point in Benny's life. He is a heavy drinker and a womanizer, which strains the relationship with his wife, and his orchestra leader to the breaking point.
He is fired from the orchestra, but his troubles are soon forgotten with a chance encounter with an admiring cab driver. Olimpio offers Benny a space at his home for him to rehearse, and form a new band. Benny is smitten with Olimpio's teenage niece Aida, and she is equally drawn to him, much to Olimpio's dismay.
His life swings again as he has a falling out with his long time music partner pianist Monchy. Olimpio can no longer stand the advances on his niece and throws Benny out of his home. But life turns again as a young musician who pursues Benny to record his songs becomes his new pianist and brings in other young musicians to form a new band.
Benny's life is as unstable as the political situation in 1950's Cuba. When General Batista declares martial law, troops prowl the streets rounding up dissidents. When Olimpio and Aida are targeted, Benny intervenes. His popularity saves them as the agent in charge is a fan and lets them go. Olimpio becomes the band's manager and eventually relents to letting Benny and Aida marry.
Through the ups and downs of Benny's life the only constant are the terrific musical performances. Benny is a charmer on stage and off stage. Women cannot resist him and he cannot resist them. He has a mesmerizing effect on the audience.
The film is not perfect. The side plots get confusing at times and the flashbacks don't always make sense. Despite these problems, the story of a passionately lived life is clear. Benny collapses at a performance at the age of 43, his hard living and drinking finally catching up with him. Actual newsreel footage of Benny's funeral with all of Havana turning out shows his real popularity.
September 30, 2007 6:40pm
Granville 7 Theatre 3
El Benny is a fictionalized account of Cuban singer Benny Moré. The film starts at a low point in Benny's life. He is a heavy drinker and a womanizer, which strains the relationship with his wife, and his orchestra leader to the breaking point.
He is fired from the orchestra, but his troubles are soon forgotten with a chance encounter with an admiring cab driver. Olimpio offers Benny a space at his home for him to rehearse, and form a new band. Benny is smitten with Olimpio's teenage niece Aida, and she is equally drawn to him, much to Olimpio's dismay.
His life swings again as he has a falling out with his long time music partner pianist Monchy. Olimpio can no longer stand the advances on his niece and throws Benny out of his home. But life turns again as a young musician who pursues Benny to record his songs becomes his new pianist and brings in other young musicians to form a new band.
Benny's life is as unstable as the political situation in 1950's Cuba. When General Batista declares martial law, troops prowl the streets rounding up dissidents. When Olimpio and Aida are targeted, Benny intervenes. His popularity saves them as the agent in charge is a fan and lets them go. Olimpio becomes the band's manager and eventually relents to letting Benny and Aida marry.
Through the ups and downs of Benny's life the only constant are the terrific musical performances. Benny is a charmer on stage and off stage. Women cannot resist him and he cannot resist them. He has a mesmerizing effect on the audience.
The film is not perfect. The side plots get confusing at times and the flashbacks don't always make sense. Despite these problems, the story of a passionately lived life is clear. Benny collapses at a performance at the age of 43, his hard living and drinking finally catching up with him. Actual newsreel footage of Benny's funeral with all of Havana turning out shows his real popularity.
VIFF Review: Control
Control
September 29, 2007 2:30pm
Granville 7 Theatre 3
Out of the late 1970's punk movement in the UK came Joy Division which became famous for inspiring other bands, and out of whose ashes was born the seminal 1980's New Wave synthesizer-based band New Order. Singer Ian Curtis's suicide sealed his, and Joy Division's place in musical history. This film is Ian's story.
This period piece is filmed in black and white to emphasize the bleak economic and social conditions of mid-70's Britain. Macclesfield is an undistinguished small town outside of Manchester. Ian is a moody teenager who loves Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie, and quotes Wordsworth. His ennui is broken when he falls in love with his best mate Nick's girlfriend Debbie, and impulsively marries her.
Ian joins his friends' band Warsaw as the lead singer. His life becomes very full working days at the employment office, nights with the newly renamed Joy Division, and with a wife and daughter to support.
As the bands successes grows Ian's personal life unravels. Ian spends more time with the band and less time with his family. His marriage falls apart, and he has an affair with another woman.
Ian's physical condition also deteriorates. He develops epilepsy, but the drugs of the day only seem to worsen his mental state. Each performance seems to drain the energy out of him. He smokes, and drinks far too much.
On the eve of a US tour which very likely would have propelled them to stardom, the pressures become too much to bear and Ian ends it all at the tender age of 23.
The performances by the mostly unknown talents (on this side of the Atlantic anyway) are terrific. Sam Riley's gaunt features and pinched expression are eerily close to the real Curtis. Samantha Morton is the only big name star playing Debbie Curtis. Toby Kebbell is a scene stealer as the hilariously fast talking band manager Rob Gretton.
Along with the great musical performances, this film brings the punk era and Ian Curtis to life once more.
September 29, 2007 2:30pm
Granville 7 Theatre 3
Out of the late 1970's punk movement in the UK came Joy Division which became famous for inspiring other bands, and out of whose ashes was born the seminal 1980's New Wave synthesizer-based band New Order. Singer Ian Curtis's suicide sealed his, and Joy Division's place in musical history. This film is Ian's story.
This period piece is filmed in black and white to emphasize the bleak economic and social conditions of mid-70's Britain. Macclesfield is an undistinguished small town outside of Manchester. Ian is a moody teenager who loves Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie, and quotes Wordsworth. His ennui is broken when he falls in love with his best mate Nick's girlfriend Debbie, and impulsively marries her.
Ian joins his friends' band Warsaw as the lead singer. His life becomes very full working days at the employment office, nights with the newly renamed Joy Division, and with a wife and daughter to support.
As the bands successes grows Ian's personal life unravels. Ian spends more time with the band and less time with his family. His marriage falls apart, and he has an affair with another woman.
Ian's physical condition also deteriorates. He develops epilepsy, but the drugs of the day only seem to worsen his mental state. Each performance seems to drain the energy out of him. He smokes, and drinks far too much.
On the eve of a US tour which very likely would have propelled them to stardom, the pressures become too much to bear and Ian ends it all at the tender age of 23.
The performances by the mostly unknown talents (on this side of the Atlantic anyway) are terrific. Sam Riley's gaunt features and pinched expression are eerily close to the real Curtis. Samantha Morton is the only big name star playing Debbie Curtis. Toby Kebbell is a scene stealer as the hilariously fast talking band manager Rob Gretton.
Along with the great musical performances, this film brings the punk era and Ian Curtis to life once more.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
VIFF Review: Ballerina
Ballerina
September 28, 2007 8:00pm
Vancity Theatre
This showing is director Bertrand Normand's international premiere of his film about the rarefied world of ballet. He intimately captures the working life of the ballerina.
He starts at the beginning for all prospective young ballerinas. The Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg has produced some of Russia's best ballet dancers. Its graduates include Nureyev, and Barishnikov. The selection process of prospective students is rigourous, and humiliating. In their underwear, the 10 year old girls are lined up, poked, and prodded like prize animals at a county fair. Before a panel of teachers, each girl has her limbs manipulated to determine flexibility, and must perform an audition. Only one out of thirty girls are selected.
From the beginning of schooling we go to end of schooling and meet one 8th year student, Alina. She is graduating top of her class, and we get to see her dance the lead role of her graduation dance. The graduation performance is a chance for students to show their talents to prospective employers and Alina is hired on by the Mariinsky Theatre.
Formerly know as the Kirov Ballet, the Mariinsky is arguably the top ballet troupe in the world. Along with Alina we meet other Mariinsky dancers at different stages in their career.
Alina shows so much promise that she is given the lead role in Swan Lake at the tender age of 18. We see her rehearsing with the directors minutely criticizing her every movement.
Alina's friend Evgenia is older and more experienced, but her path is less direct. She takes on an acting role in a French movie about a ballerina falling in love. She competes in the Moscow International Dance competition—winning first place. With these successes under her belt, she is finally able to take a leading role after two years with the Mariinsky.
At 24, Svetlana is blossoming in her career, and just been named a prima ballerina.
Diana has been a prima ballerina for a few years. She is a seasoned member and is starting to spread her wings. While still maintaining her position with Mariinsky, she performs around the world with renowned ballet groups in Paris, Berlin, and the USA.
Ulyana is the eldest of the dancers and looks to be in her early 30s. She had to leave ballet for a few years due to a foot injury. Her life has changed completely as she has gotten married, and had a young daughter. She is returning to dance now after surgery in the USA.
Normand has had incredible access to the lives of these ballerinas. We see the dancers in rehearsal where the instructors mercilessly find every flaw in their performance. We get an insiders' view of performances taken from the wings and backstage. The ballerina's life is a challenging but rewarding existence in devotion to their art.
September 28, 2007 8:00pm
Vancity Theatre
This showing is director Bertrand Normand's international premiere of his film about the rarefied world of ballet. He intimately captures the working life of the ballerina.
He starts at the beginning for all prospective young ballerinas. The Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg has produced some of Russia's best ballet dancers. Its graduates include Nureyev, and Barishnikov. The selection process of prospective students is rigourous, and humiliating. In their underwear, the 10 year old girls are lined up, poked, and prodded like prize animals at a county fair. Before a panel of teachers, each girl has her limbs manipulated to determine flexibility, and must perform an audition. Only one out of thirty girls are selected.
From the beginning of schooling we go to end of schooling and meet one 8th year student, Alina. She is graduating top of her class, and we get to see her dance the lead role of her graduation dance. The graduation performance is a chance for students to show their talents to prospective employers and Alina is hired on by the Mariinsky Theatre.
Formerly know as the Kirov Ballet, the Mariinsky is arguably the top ballet troupe in the world. Along with Alina we meet other Mariinsky dancers at different stages in their career.
Alina shows so much promise that she is given the lead role in Swan Lake at the tender age of 18. We see her rehearsing with the directors minutely criticizing her every movement.
Alina's friend Evgenia is older and more experienced, but her path is less direct. She takes on an acting role in a French movie about a ballerina falling in love. She competes in the Moscow International Dance competition—winning first place. With these successes under her belt, she is finally able to take a leading role after two years with the Mariinsky.
At 24, Svetlana is blossoming in her career, and just been named a prima ballerina.
Diana has been a prima ballerina for a few years. She is a seasoned member and is starting to spread her wings. While still maintaining her position with Mariinsky, she performs around the world with renowned ballet groups in Paris, Berlin, and the USA.
Ulyana is the eldest of the dancers and looks to be in her early 30s. She had to leave ballet for a few years due to a foot injury. Her life has changed completely as she has gotten married, and had a young daughter. She is returning to dance now after surgery in the USA.
Normand has had incredible access to the lives of these ballerinas. We see the dancers in rehearsal where the instructors mercilessly find every flaw in their performance. We get an insiders' view of performances taken from the wings and backstage. The ballerina's life is a challenging but rewarding existence in devotion to their art.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
VIFF Review: In the Shadow of the Moon
In the Shadow of the Moon
September 28, 2007 1:00pm
VISA Screening Room @ Empire Granville 7
The Space Age was ushered in 50 years ago on October 4, 1957 with the launch of Sputnik. So it's an appropriate moment for producer Ron Howard to release this documentary film about the Apollo manned mission to the moon program. The story is told through personal interviews with some of the surviving Apollo astronauts, and with newly restored vintage footage.
I've watch many programs about Apollo, so it was a treat to see footage I've never seen before. The most surprising is a portion of a pre-taped speech by President Nixon prepared in case the Apollo 11 lunar lander failed to take off from the moon. Nixon salutes the bravery of Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin for their self-sacrifice in the service of mankind. Fortunately there was never a need to broadcast that tape.
More thrilling is an extended shot from the second stage rocket as the third stage separates. It's a well known shot that usually cuts off as the third stage blasts off to the moon, leaving the second stage behind. This time we get to see the abandoned second stage slowly rotate and tumble, bringing the breathtaking vista of Earth into view.
The interviews with the astronauts are the heart of the film. All are well- spoken, confident, and intelligent, but what's most striking is seeing how aged they are. With wrinkles, age spots, grey receding hair, and bifocals, they could be your grandfather. It's a shocking realization that it has been almost forty years since those Apollo missions.
Astronauts interviewed include Alan Bean, Gene Cernan, Jim Lovell, but Apollo 11 astronauts Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin get the most screen time. Neil Armstrong was not involved in this film.
Michael Collins was the command module pilot who did not walking on the moon. He dispels the press myths of his lonely vigil. In fact he enjoyed his time aboard the command module while Armstrong and Aldrin walked the moon. He contemplatively reflects that when he was in the shadow of the moon he was the farthest away any human being had ever been from Earth.
Buzz Aldrin tells his very funny story of following Neil Armstrong's footsteps as the second man on the moon. As he pauses before jumping off the ladder, he relieves himself in his spacesuit. More poignantly, Aldrin tells of the guilt he felt as his comrades went off to fight in Vietnam while he was getting his picture in the newspapers and declared a hero. His friends reassured him that what he was doing was important, and something Americans could take pride in.
The footage of Apollo 11 still resonates. You hold your breath as the lunar lander descends. And cheer as you hear "Houston, Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed." The legacy of Apollo is the renewed appreciation for our fragile blue dot rising over a lifeless moonscape.
September 28, 2007 1:00pm
VISA Screening Room @ Empire Granville 7
The Space Age was ushered in 50 years ago on October 4, 1957 with the launch of Sputnik. So it's an appropriate moment for producer Ron Howard to release this documentary film about the Apollo manned mission to the moon program. The story is told through personal interviews with some of the surviving Apollo astronauts, and with newly restored vintage footage.
I've watch many programs about Apollo, so it was a treat to see footage I've never seen before. The most surprising is a portion of a pre-taped speech by President Nixon prepared in case the Apollo 11 lunar lander failed to take off from the moon. Nixon salutes the bravery of Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin for their self-sacrifice in the service of mankind. Fortunately there was never a need to broadcast that tape.
More thrilling is an extended shot from the second stage rocket as the third stage separates. It's a well known shot that usually cuts off as the third stage blasts off to the moon, leaving the second stage behind. This time we get to see the abandoned second stage slowly rotate and tumble, bringing the breathtaking vista of Earth into view.
The interviews with the astronauts are the heart of the film. All are well- spoken, confident, and intelligent, but what's most striking is seeing how aged they are. With wrinkles, age spots, grey receding hair, and bifocals, they could be your grandfather. It's a shocking realization that it has been almost forty years since those Apollo missions.
Astronauts interviewed include Alan Bean, Gene Cernan, Jim Lovell, but Apollo 11 astronauts Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin get the most screen time. Neil Armstrong was not involved in this film.
Michael Collins was the command module pilot who did not walking on the moon. He dispels the press myths of his lonely vigil. In fact he enjoyed his time aboard the command module while Armstrong and Aldrin walked the moon. He contemplatively reflects that when he was in the shadow of the moon he was the farthest away any human being had ever been from Earth.
Buzz Aldrin tells his very funny story of following Neil Armstrong's footsteps as the second man on the moon. As he pauses before jumping off the ladder, he relieves himself in his spacesuit. More poignantly, Aldrin tells of the guilt he felt as his comrades went off to fight in Vietnam while he was getting his picture in the newspapers and declared a hero. His friends reassured him that what he was doing was important, and something Americans could take pride in.
The footage of Apollo 11 still resonates. You hold your breath as the lunar lander descends. And cheer as you hear "Houston, Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed." The legacy of Apollo is the renewed appreciation for our fragile blue dot rising over a lifeless moonscape.
Friday, September 28, 2007
VIFF Review: Echoes of Home
Echoes of Home
September 27 2007, 7:30pm
Vancity Theatre
Like most people, when I think of Switzerland I think of fine mechanical watches, trains that run on time, delicious chocolate, and great skiing. Swiss musical traditions do not normally enter the popular consciousness. The only yodelling is the stereotypically cheesy "yodellayeehoo" of Heidi movies and Swiss Miss commercials. This documentary reveals the rich tradition and expressiveness of yodelling.
In the scenic Alps the yodel is a practical means of communication as it easily travels across the valley and reverberates off the mountainsides. From this practical start it has entered into the musical tradition of the Alpine communities.
Christian Zehlder is a young musician whose search for his own identity leads him to the most traditional of Swiss folk music. His musical journey takes him to Central Asia where he sings with the Tuvan throat singing group Huun-Huur-Tu. There is a remarkable similarity of sound between the European mountains and the Asian steppes.
Erika Stucky's childhood in "Summer of Love"-era San Francisco and a small village in the Swiss Alps give her a unique singing style and personality. Her pre-teen daughter is sometimes embarrassed by mom's quirky fashion sense, and uninhibited style.
Noldi Alder is part of a musical family steeped in generations of farming and music making in the Alps. After making traditional music with his brothers for years, he now stretches the possibilities of yodelling and Swiss folk music. This does not appeal to his elderly father who as the family patriarch has strong opinions on the immutability of traditional music.
The celebratory, folk dance-oriented yodel is augmented by a more melancholy sound, with interesting harmonies, dissonance, and overtones. Its languid tempo is at times contrasted with sharp, guttural, and animalistic sounds. The importance of reverberation is emphasized. Performances are in reverberant spaces like a church, an abandoned factory, or on a mountain top where the singer's vocalizations are amplified and modulated by the echoes.
All three musicians rediscover and reinvent the yodelling tradition from their own unique life experiences. They create a rich, nuanced, and haunting sound that echoes across the alpine meadow and though your brain.
September 27 2007, 7:30pm
Vancity Theatre
Like most people, when I think of Switzerland I think of fine mechanical watches, trains that run on time, delicious chocolate, and great skiing. Swiss musical traditions do not normally enter the popular consciousness. The only yodelling is the stereotypically cheesy "yodellayeehoo" of Heidi movies and Swiss Miss commercials. This documentary reveals the rich tradition and expressiveness of yodelling.
In the scenic Alps the yodel is a practical means of communication as it easily travels across the valley and reverberates off the mountainsides. From this practical start it has entered into the musical tradition of the Alpine communities.
Christian Zehlder is a young musician whose search for his own identity leads him to the most traditional of Swiss folk music. His musical journey takes him to Central Asia where he sings with the Tuvan throat singing group Huun-Huur-Tu. There is a remarkable similarity of sound between the European mountains and the Asian steppes.
Erika Stucky's childhood in "Summer of Love"-era San Francisco and a small village in the Swiss Alps give her a unique singing style and personality. Her pre-teen daughter is sometimes embarrassed by mom's quirky fashion sense, and uninhibited style.
Noldi Alder is part of a musical family steeped in generations of farming and music making in the Alps. After making traditional music with his brothers for years, he now stretches the possibilities of yodelling and Swiss folk music. This does not appeal to his elderly father who as the family patriarch has strong opinions on the immutability of traditional music.
The celebratory, folk dance-oriented yodel is augmented by a more melancholy sound, with interesting harmonies, dissonance, and overtones. Its languid tempo is at times contrasted with sharp, guttural, and animalistic sounds. The importance of reverberation is emphasized. Performances are in reverberant spaces like a church, an abandoned factory, or on a mountain top where the singer's vocalizations are amplified and modulated by the echoes.
All three musicians rediscover and reinvent the yodelling tradition from their own unique life experiences. They create a rich, nuanced, and haunting sound that echoes across the alpine meadow and though your brain.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Fringe Review: Grummelot
Grummelot
Beaumont Studios
September 11, 2007 8:00pm
Grummelot is a classic tale of boy meets girl; boy loses girl; boy gets girl back; boy accidentally poisons girl. And in traditional Italian Commedia dell'Arte style all's well that ends well—almost.
While the show has the elements of Commedia dell'Arte like the archetypal characters, traditional masks and costumes, it leaves out the most important element—comedy. Neither of the two actors seem to have a sense of comic timing or delivery, leaving most of the jokes flat. The physical comedy also fell flat and seemed under-rehearsed. It was mildly amusing at times, but there were few outright laughs from the audience.
Maybe it would have been funnier with puppets.
Beaumont Studios
September 11, 2007 8:00pm
Grummelot is a classic tale of boy meets girl; boy loses girl; boy gets girl back; boy accidentally poisons girl. And in traditional Italian Commedia dell'Arte style all's well that ends well—almost.
While the show has the elements of Commedia dell'Arte like the archetypal characters, traditional masks and costumes, it leaves out the most important element—comedy. Neither of the two actors seem to have a sense of comic timing or delivery, leaving most of the jokes flat. The physical comedy also fell flat and seemed under-rehearsed. It was mildly amusing at times, but there were few outright laughs from the audience.
Maybe it would have been funnier with puppets.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Fringe Review: The Absurdyessy: An Epic…Comedy?
The Absurdyessy: An Epic…Comedy?
The Ampitheatre
September 9, 2007 7:30pm
The Green Leaf Circus Company's outdoor show has the most picturesque setting at the ampitheatre in Ron Basford Park, and this week luckily the finest weather. On an unusually warm September evening, there's more than a little feel of Bard on the Beach in this venue.
Part of the charm of the performance is the athletic grace of the circus performers. In addition to speaking their lines, the actors tumble, jump, climb, and juggle their parts.
A epic writer without an epic to write bemoans his lack of subject matter. His despair turns when he encounters a sorcerer who is seeking the Power of Nine. He hooks up with the sorcerer to chronicle his adventures. They encounter a warrior and the sorcerer does battle with him. The fight is a thrilling duel with fire torch staffs reminiscent of Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber.
Much to the writer's dismay the fight ends in a draw and the warrior, impressed by the sorcerer's skill, declares they are friends and joins the quest. The story of Gilgamesh has already been written, and the writer wants new dramatic material.
Unfortunately the second half of the play features too little acrobatics and too much exposition. Their encounter with a wise man is scripted like a university English seminar with all involved expounding on the cultural importance of stories. Even the climatic encounter with the dragon is full of impenetrable dialog rather than penetrating action.
It's too bad that a promising epic adventure comedy was hijacked by too serious writing. A more subtle approach would have fit the Fringe ethos and enlightened the audience as well. The power of the writer must be wielded wisely.
The Ampitheatre
September 9, 2007 7:30pm
The Green Leaf Circus Company's outdoor show has the most picturesque setting at the ampitheatre in Ron Basford Park, and this week luckily the finest weather. On an unusually warm September evening, there's more than a little feel of Bard on the Beach in this venue.
Part of the charm of the performance is the athletic grace of the circus performers. In addition to speaking their lines, the actors tumble, jump, climb, and juggle their parts.
A epic writer without an epic to write bemoans his lack of subject matter. His despair turns when he encounters a sorcerer who is seeking the Power of Nine. He hooks up with the sorcerer to chronicle his adventures. They encounter a warrior and the sorcerer does battle with him. The fight is a thrilling duel with fire torch staffs reminiscent of Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber.
Much to the writer's dismay the fight ends in a draw and the warrior, impressed by the sorcerer's skill, declares they are friends and joins the quest. The story of Gilgamesh has already been written, and the writer wants new dramatic material.
Unfortunately the second half of the play features too little acrobatics and too much exposition. Their encounter with a wise man is scripted like a university English seminar with all involved expounding on the cultural importance of stories. Even the climatic encounter with the dragon is full of impenetrable dialog rather than penetrating action.
It's too bad that a promising epic adventure comedy was hijacked by too serious writing. A more subtle approach would have fit the Fringe ethos and enlightened the audience as well. The power of the writer must be wielded wisely.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Fringe Review: The Fugue Code
The Fugue Code
Playwrights' Theatre
Sunday, September 9, 2007 4:30pm
A kidnapping. Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier. A secret society. A "perfect" temperament pipe organ designed by Bach but not built until present day technology made it possible. A code hidden within Bach's music. These are the ingredients for this remarkable one man musicological comedy-thriller.
Actor/writer Alex Eddington performs the large cast of characters at a breakneck pace. His characterizations are well distinguished which is fortunate as concentration is required to follow the convoluted plot.
The play is an intricate puzzle-box based on Bach's Fugue No. 24 in B Minor. Everything from the structure of the play to the cast of characters is drawn from the music. Numerological secrets abound like the number 14 (B=2 + A=1 + C=3 + H=8 = 14).
An organist's wife is kidnapped by a secret society known as SMW. Her release can only be secured if he can solve the Fugue Code. He enlists the help of his colleagues a musicologist, a conductor, and a singer who is a descendant of J.S. Bach. What they discover as they unravel the code reveals a plot more sinister and earth-shattering than a simple kidnapping.
Highly recommended for music fans, conspiracy theorists, Dan Brown fans, and everyone who likes a funny, fast-paced thriller.
Playwrights' Theatre
Sunday, September 9, 2007 4:30pm
A kidnapping. Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier. A secret society. A "perfect" temperament pipe organ designed by Bach but not built until present day technology made it possible. A code hidden within Bach's music. These are the ingredients for this remarkable one man musicological comedy-thriller.
Actor/writer Alex Eddington performs the large cast of characters at a breakneck pace. His characterizations are well distinguished which is fortunate as concentration is required to follow the convoluted plot.
The play is an intricate puzzle-box based on Bach's Fugue No. 24 in B Minor. Everything from the structure of the play to the cast of characters is drawn from the music. Numerological secrets abound like the number 14 (B=2 + A=1 + C=3 + H=8 = 14).
An organist's wife is kidnapped by a secret society known as SMW. Her release can only be secured if he can solve the Fugue Code. He enlists the help of his colleagues a musicologist, a conductor, and a singer who is a descendant of J.S. Bach. What they discover as they unravel the code reveals a plot more sinister and earth-shattering than a simple kidnapping.
Highly recommended for music fans, conspiracy theorists, Dan Brown fans, and everyone who likes a funny, fast-paced thriller.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Fringe Review: Napoleon's Secret Diary
Napoleon's Secret Diary
Waterfront Theatre
September 6, 2007 7:00pm
And it's a great start to the Fringe Festival with the very funny Napoleon's Secret Diary. This one man play is a comedic biography of the little general as told in his own words to the audience—his secret diary.
Young Napoleon Glen Bonaparte is an insecure, nebbishy, height challenged, schoolboy whose only ambition in life is to live a quiet life in isolation on the island of Corsica. His mother gives him a diary as a gift and in it he writes his deepest secrets, and true feelings. To the world he is the little general, but to the audience he is the little mouse.
But the forces of destiny will not leave him alone, and they urge him onto greatness. The reluctant soldier becomes the reluctant general, and finally the reluctant emperor. The quick paced play sends up the major events and turning points of Napoleon's life. As informative as an A&E Biography and ten times as funny.
Waterfront Theatre
September 6, 2007 7:00pm
And it's a great start to the Fringe Festival with the very funny Napoleon's Secret Diary. This one man play is a comedic biography of the little general as told in his own words to the audience—his secret diary.
Young Napoleon Glen Bonaparte is an insecure, nebbishy, height challenged, schoolboy whose only ambition in life is to live a quiet life in isolation on the island of Corsica. His mother gives him a diary as a gift and in it he writes his deepest secrets, and true feelings. To the world he is the little general, but to the audience he is the little mouse.
But the forces of destiny will not leave him alone, and they urge him onto greatness. The reluctant soldier becomes the reluctant general, and finally the reluctant emperor. The quick paced play sends up the major events and turning points of Napoleon's life. As informative as an A&E Biography and ten times as funny.
Vancouver International Fringe Festival 2007
Labour Day has passed, the nip of fall is in the air, and that can only mean one thing. The Vancouver International Fringe Festival returns for another ten days of wry, wacky, and wicked theatre. I'll be posting my reviews and making Granville Island my second home for the next week.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Monet to Dalí: Modern Masters from the Cleveland Museum of Arts
Monet to Dalí: Modern Masters from the Cleveland Museum of Arts
June 11 to September 16, 2007
Vancouver Art Gallery
As the Cleveland Museum of Art undergoes an extensive renovation and expansion it is sending out a touring exhibition of select works from its collection. The Vancouver Art Gallery is the fortunate first stop and only Canadian stop of the tour.
The exhibition includes 80 paintings and sculptures from the most well known and important European artists spanning the late 19th to the mid 20th century. Luminaries include Monet, Picasso, Rodin, Cézanne, Mondrian, Matisse, Renoir, van Gogh, Magritte, Gauguin, and Dalí.
The exhibition takes up the entire first floor of the VAG. It is organized into major chronological and stylistic groupings—Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Surrealism, Expressionism, and Modernism.
Its popularity is obvious. The ticket line-up was 10 minutes long. It took three hours to view all the exhibits at my usual leisurely pace, all the while taking notes. Here are some of my impressions of the artists and works.
Claude Monet
Spring Flowers
The exhibition starts with Monet's overflowing floral still life. It's an early work, painted in a realistic style.
The Red Kerchief
More significant is Monet's portrait of his wife. He captures a fleeting moment of her passing the window. Her bright red kerchief contrasting with the wintery scene immediately draws the eye to her gaze. The slightest glimpse of red in the left window also emphasizes the transience of the moment.
Gustav Courbet
Panoramic View of the Alps
This large scale work fills your view with the majesty and beauty of the Swiss Alps but was sadly left unfinished by Courbet's death.
Henri Fantin-Latour
Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James
The face of the exhibition is the young daughter of the Duke of Fitz-James. Her pursed lips and large dark eyes reminds me of the Mona Lisa.
Camille Pissarro
Edge of the Woods near L'Hermitage
This large scale painting has a real sense of motion in the trees and leaves. You can practically feel the breeze rustling through the brush strokes.
Paul Cézanne
The Brook
The quality of light shining on and through the trees, and reflecting off the water is palpable.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
The Apple Seller
Renoir's soft brushstrokes emphasize the cheerful domesticity of the scene.
Vincent van Gogh
Poplars at Saint-Rémy
van Gogh's bold, paint loaded brushstrokes create motion and life.
Paul Gauguin
In the Waves
The digital image doesn't do justice to the actual painting, nor do any of the other images to their originals. The colours are much more saturated and intense in real life. The vibrant aqua water is exactly what you experience in the tropical seas and contrast with the woman's red hair.
Auguste Rodin
Age of Bronze
This sculpture is life-like in its detail and seems frozen in mid-motion like Han Solo in carbonite.
The Thinker
Rodin's most famous sculpture is a lot smaller than you expect and would fit comfortable on most coffee tables.
René Magritte
The Secret Life
An image as incongruous as a zen koan. Magritte is my favourite surrealist.
Piet Mondrian
Mondrian's works span the art movements of his times.
Composition with Red, Yellow & Blue
This is the type of art that is associated with Mondrian.
Field with Young Trees in Foreground
But it's good to learn that he was also capable of this lovely impressionistic work.
Pablo Picasso
Picasso is well represented in the modernist room with works that span his entire career including blue periods Woman with a Cape and Life; rose period The Harem; cubist Fan, Saltbox & Melon, Bottle, Glass & Fork, Bull Skull, Fruit, Pitcher, and
Harlequin with Violin
Salvador Dalí
The Dream
A nightmare from the deepest id. The figure's mouth area is covered with ants. The seated background figure with his face in his hands cries blood.
Henry Moore
Three-Way Piece No. 2: Archer
The exhibition ends with Moore's curvaceous bronze sculpture. It's too bad you can't touch the exhibits, as the sensual curves invite caressing.
This is definitely a not to be missed exhibition of the most famous artists of the last 150 years. If you miss it in Vancouver you'll have to wait until 2008 when it makes its next stop in Nashville, Tennessee.
June 11 to September 16, 2007
Vancouver Art Gallery
As the Cleveland Museum of Art undergoes an extensive renovation and expansion it is sending out a touring exhibition of select works from its collection. The Vancouver Art Gallery is the fortunate first stop and only Canadian stop of the tour.
The exhibition includes 80 paintings and sculptures from the most well known and important European artists spanning the late 19th to the mid 20th century. Luminaries include Monet, Picasso, Rodin, Cézanne, Mondrian, Matisse, Renoir, van Gogh, Magritte, Gauguin, and Dalí.
The exhibition takes up the entire first floor of the VAG. It is organized into major chronological and stylistic groupings—Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Surrealism, Expressionism, and Modernism.
Its popularity is obvious. The ticket line-up was 10 minutes long. It took three hours to view all the exhibits at my usual leisurely pace, all the while taking notes. Here are some of my impressions of the artists and works.
Claude Monet
Spring Flowers
The exhibition starts with Monet's overflowing floral still life. It's an early work, painted in a realistic style.
The Red Kerchief
More significant is Monet's portrait of his wife. He captures a fleeting moment of her passing the window. Her bright red kerchief contrasting with the wintery scene immediately draws the eye to her gaze. The slightest glimpse of red in the left window also emphasizes the transience of the moment.
Gustav Courbet
Panoramic View of the Alps
This large scale work fills your view with the majesty and beauty of the Swiss Alps but was sadly left unfinished by Courbet's death.
Henri Fantin-Latour
Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James
The face of the exhibition is the young daughter of the Duke of Fitz-James. Her pursed lips and large dark eyes reminds me of the Mona Lisa.
Camille Pissarro
Edge of the Woods near L'Hermitage
This large scale painting has a real sense of motion in the trees and leaves. You can practically feel the breeze rustling through the brush strokes.
Paul Cézanne
The Brook
The quality of light shining on and through the trees, and reflecting off the water is palpable.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
The Apple Seller
Renoir's soft brushstrokes emphasize the cheerful domesticity of the scene.
Vincent van Gogh
Poplars at Saint-Rémy
van Gogh's bold, paint loaded brushstrokes create motion and life.
Paul Gauguin
In the Waves
The digital image doesn't do justice to the actual painting, nor do any of the other images to their originals. The colours are much more saturated and intense in real life. The vibrant aqua water is exactly what you experience in the tropical seas and contrast with the woman's red hair.
Auguste Rodin
Age of Bronze
This sculpture is life-like in its detail and seems frozen in mid-motion like Han Solo in carbonite.
The Thinker
Rodin's most famous sculpture is a lot smaller than you expect and would fit comfortable on most coffee tables.
René Magritte
The Secret Life
An image as incongruous as a zen koan. Magritte is my favourite surrealist.
Piet Mondrian
Mondrian's works span the art movements of his times.
Composition with Red, Yellow & Blue
This is the type of art that is associated with Mondrian.
Field with Young Trees in Foreground
But it's good to learn that he was also capable of this lovely impressionistic work.
Pablo Picasso
Picasso is well represented in the modernist room with works that span his entire career including blue periods Woman with a Cape and Life; rose period The Harem; cubist Fan, Saltbox & Melon, Bottle, Glass & Fork, Bull Skull, Fruit, Pitcher, and
Harlequin with Violin
Salvador Dalí
The Dream
A nightmare from the deepest id. The figure's mouth area is covered with ants. The seated background figure with his face in his hands cries blood.
Henry Moore
Three-Way Piece No. 2: Archer
The exhibition ends with Moore's curvaceous bronze sculpture. It's too bad you can't touch the exhibits, as the sensual curves invite caressing.
This is definitely a not to be missed exhibition of the most famous artists of the last 150 years. If you miss it in Vancouver you'll have to wait until 2008 when it makes its next stop in Nashville, Tennessee.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Caskival 4: "Bung Love"
Caskival 4
"Bung Love"
Saturday, August 5, 2007
Dix Barbecue & Brewery
The fourth annual cask tapping event is a showcase for local microbreweries to demonstrate their brewing flair and creativity. Contributing casks this year are Russell Brewing, Storm Brewing, Yaletown Brewing, Longwood Brewpub, Swans Buckerfields Brewery, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, Howe Sound Brewing, Dix BBQ & Brewery, Big Ridge Brewing, Taylor's Crossing Brewpub, Central City Brewing, High Mountain Brewing, Mission Springs Brewing, Dockside Restaurant & Brewery, Old Yale Brewing, Dead Frog Brewery, and Crannog Ales.
Although 32 cask ales were advertised, there were "only" 26 different beers being poured. Four ounce taster glass times 26 beers equals 104 ounces equals 6 1/2 pints equals about twice as much beer as I can handle in an afternoon. Deciding which ones to try was the hardest part.
Dockside Black Cherry Ale
4.5% abv
Drinking this was like drinking cherry flavored cough syrup. It even looked like cough syrup with its dark reddish colour. Consume strictly for the medicinal value when the Vicks supply runs out.
Crannog Three Fingers Cherry Ale
7.5% abv
Far more successful was Crannog's sour cherry beer. With it's pale amber colour, and refreshing crispness it goes down far too easy for it's high alcohol content. You'll need three fingers to signal the bartender to scrape you up off the floor.
Storm Ginger Ginseng Pilsner
5% abv
This one brings back childhood memories of the ginseng soup that my parents would force us to drink to improve our health and boost our chi. The full woody smell and taste of the ginseng overpowers the ginger. An interesting experiment for the Asian market. Just feel the chi flowing.
Storm Wormwood India Pale Ale
6.5% abv
The smell and bitter flavor of wormwood dominates this un-IPA-like IPA. Just pour into a glass over a sugar cube balanced on an absinthe spoon, and pretend you're on the Left Bank of Paris.
Storm Basil India Pale Ale
5% abv
With its intense infusion of basil flavor this pale gold IPA would go great with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs in a nice tomato sauce.
Russell White Peach Honey Blonde
5% abv
This blonde ale was fairly light in the flavor department. The honey was distinguishable but the peach was barely there.
Yaletown Darjeeling India Pale Ale
5% abv
One of the flavors I love to pick out of a good IPA is the bergamot essence more familiar to Earl Grey tea. The addition of real Darjeeling tea which is part of the Earl Grey blend to this IPA works wonderfully.
Taylor Crossing Fig & Anise Pale Ale
5% abv
Licorice fans will love the flavor although the fig is hard to distinguish.
Big Ridge Candied Apricot
5% abv
This hefeweizen has a subtle aftertaste of apricot. It's light mouth feel makes for a refreshing summertime beer.
Big Ridge Honey Mocha Ginger Lemon Cream
5% abv
Despite the unwieldy name, this ale displayed an amazing range of complexity and flavor. The lovely aromas of flowers, tea, lemon, and ginger were reflected in the flavor. Like eating a lemon cream pie, with a nice cup of honey ginger tea. Definitely my favorite of the wildly experimental brews in the festival.
Spinnakers Scottish & Scotch
8.5% abv
What better chaser with a Scottish ale than a nice Scotch? In this case, real 18 year-old Talisker single malt was added to the brew! A soft peaty smokiness makes this complex and subtle beer a real slow slipper.
Longwood Imperial Stout
8.3% abv
This highly unusual stout at first smells like an IPA with its bergamot aroma. It tastes like an IPA but finishes like a stout. Another one of my favorites this festival.
Dix Hop Complex India Pale Ale
6.3% abv
This straight ahead IPA was my favorite IPA of the festival with an intensity of flavor that lingers long on the tongue. And unlike most of the other beers being tasted they might actually have some available after the festival.
"Bung Love"
Saturday, August 5, 2007
Dix Barbecue & Brewery
The fourth annual cask tapping event is a showcase for local microbreweries to demonstrate their brewing flair and creativity. Contributing casks this year are Russell Brewing, Storm Brewing, Yaletown Brewing, Longwood Brewpub, Swans Buckerfields Brewery, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, Howe Sound Brewing, Dix BBQ & Brewery, Big Ridge Brewing, Taylor's Crossing Brewpub, Central City Brewing, High Mountain Brewing, Mission Springs Brewing, Dockside Restaurant & Brewery, Old Yale Brewing, Dead Frog Brewery, and Crannog Ales.
Although 32 cask ales were advertised, there were "only" 26 different beers being poured. Four ounce taster glass times 26 beers equals 104 ounces equals 6 1/2 pints equals about twice as much beer as I can handle in an afternoon. Deciding which ones to try was the hardest part.
Dockside Black Cherry Ale
4.5% abv
Drinking this was like drinking cherry flavored cough syrup. It even looked like cough syrup with its dark reddish colour. Consume strictly for the medicinal value when the Vicks supply runs out.
Crannog Three Fingers Cherry Ale
7.5% abv
Far more successful was Crannog's sour cherry beer. With it's pale amber colour, and refreshing crispness it goes down far too easy for it's high alcohol content. You'll need three fingers to signal the bartender to scrape you up off the floor.
Storm Ginger Ginseng Pilsner
5% abv
This one brings back childhood memories of the ginseng soup that my parents would force us to drink to improve our health and boost our chi. The full woody smell and taste of the ginseng overpowers the ginger. An interesting experiment for the Asian market. Just feel the chi flowing.
Storm Wormwood India Pale Ale
6.5% abv
The smell and bitter flavor of wormwood dominates this un-IPA-like IPA. Just pour into a glass over a sugar cube balanced on an absinthe spoon, and pretend you're on the Left Bank of Paris.
Storm Basil India Pale Ale
5% abv
With its intense infusion of basil flavor this pale gold IPA would go great with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs in a nice tomato sauce.
Russell White Peach Honey Blonde
5% abv
This blonde ale was fairly light in the flavor department. The honey was distinguishable but the peach was barely there.
Yaletown Darjeeling India Pale Ale
5% abv
One of the flavors I love to pick out of a good IPA is the bergamot essence more familiar to Earl Grey tea. The addition of real Darjeeling tea which is part of the Earl Grey blend to this IPA works wonderfully.
Taylor Crossing Fig & Anise Pale Ale
5% abv
Licorice fans will love the flavor although the fig is hard to distinguish.
Big Ridge Candied Apricot
5% abv
This hefeweizen has a subtle aftertaste of apricot. It's light mouth feel makes for a refreshing summertime beer.
Big Ridge Honey Mocha Ginger Lemon Cream
5% abv
Despite the unwieldy name, this ale displayed an amazing range of complexity and flavor. The lovely aromas of flowers, tea, lemon, and ginger were reflected in the flavor. Like eating a lemon cream pie, with a nice cup of honey ginger tea. Definitely my favorite of the wildly experimental brews in the festival.
Spinnakers Scottish & Scotch
8.5% abv
What better chaser with a Scottish ale than a nice Scotch? In this case, real 18 year-old Talisker single malt was added to the brew! A soft peaty smokiness makes this complex and subtle beer a real slow slipper.
Longwood Imperial Stout
8.3% abv
This highly unusual stout at first smells like an IPA with its bergamot aroma. It tastes like an IPA but finishes like a stout. Another one of my favorites this festival.
Dix Hop Complex India Pale Ale
6.3% abv
This straight ahead IPA was my favorite IPA of the festival with an intensity of flavor that lingers long on the tongue. And unlike most of the other beers being tasted they might actually have some available after the festival.
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