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Writing non-fiction’s a bitch – a truth not universally acknowledged.

– Will Aitken in This Writing Death

Theatre

Chekhov for Beginners



by Natalie G.

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Don't know where you were sitting, but there were lots of laughs.

– comment by Suzy Charto

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James Gartler

THEATRE

Schwartz’s Secret Ingredients

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A look behind the musical before the final bows

by James Gartler
07.08.2011

A plate of smoked meat, two pieces of rye bread and a slice of pickle.  For over eighty years, Schwartz’s Deli has made it look so easy, but as Schwartz’s The Musical attests, it takes a delicate balance of ingredients to make a real crowd-pleaser. 

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FESTIVAL CITY

Freak le Screen

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The Fantasia film festival rolls into its final week on a wild wave of mutilation

by James Gartler
03.08.2011

There’s only week left to go before the 15th edition of Fantasia wraps up, but take heart moviegoers: it’s been an interesting ride so far, hasn’t it? Indeed, this year’s festival has brought its fair share of both pleasure and pain to audiences, but you really can’t expect anything less than the freaky and fantastical [...]

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FESTIVAL CITY

Homegrown Hilarity

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REVIEW: Canadian stand-ups throw down for the Irwin Barker Homegrown Comic award at Just For Laughs

by James Gartler
01.08.2011

You have to love that a festival as big as Just For Laughs will still make a point of showcasing up-and-coming Canadian talent. There may have been only one recipient of the Irwin Barker Homegrown Comic award on Friday night, July 29, but each of the nine performers who took to the stage brought something [...]

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FESTIVAL CITY

Exploring Fantasia

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Big names and hidden gems at Fantasia Film Fest

by James Gartler
14.07.2011

The organizers of the 15th edition of the Fantasia Film Festival want you to “be crazy, crazy explorers.”  Frankly, I’d take them up on it.  Fantasia crowds are famous for embracing all kinds of films, whether slasher, historical drama, screwball comedy or just plain absurd, and this festival has made a name for itself by [...]

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FESTIVAL CITY

The Best… and the Rest

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A lively list of misses and hits at this year's edition of the St-Ambroise Fringe Festival

by James Gartler
19.06.2011

With the Fringe fest ending today, it’s time we tally up those shows which proved themselves to be among the best of the fest… and those which were definitely in need of a revamp.  Brace yourselves for the final scores…

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FESTIVAL CITY

Middle-men at the Fringe

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Fringe Festival reviews you need to read: "Men Telling Stories" and "The Birth of Weza or Go F@#k Your Mother"

by James Gartler
13.06.2011

At the St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival, there are shows that impress, shows that depress and shows that do a little bit of both.  Since variety truly is the name of the game, let’s take a quick look at two offerings that fall into the latter category.

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FESTIVAL CITY

Get Your Fringe On

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A select preview of the 2011 St-Ambroise Fringe Festival

by James Gartler
01.06.2011

It’s that time of year again.  A time when strip spelling bees, drag races, improv comedy and 11-second dance parties become daily occurrences in the Plateau-Mile End.  It’s Fringe season, and if you don’t know what that means, relax: Rover’s here to tell you.

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