Vancouver Live Theatre – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

ARTS CLUB: A DOLLS HOUSE

The Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of A DOLLS HOUSE is a reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s classic – adapted by acclaimed playwright Amy Herzog and presented in partnership with Theatre Calgary. I just watched it Thursday night with my friend Rosa.

With happy children, a pristine house, and a husband secure in a lucrative job, beautiful Nora Helmer appears to have it all. But a secret is bubbling under the surface that threatens to alter her reality.

Herzog’s take brings a contemporary edge to Ibsen’s 1879 drama, sharpening its themes of autonomy, societal pressure, and personal awakening.

The set design is a minimal and whimsical pastel-toned dollhouse. The main character Nora (played by a feisty Alexandra Lainfiesta) evokes a Barbie-like figure trapped in a surreal domestic space. Her portrayal anchors the emotional weight of the production.

Photo courtesy of The Arts Club Theatre.

Ibsen’s original play was revolutionary for its time, challenging gender roles and societal expectations. This Arts Club production honours that legacy with its reinvention.

Directed by Anita Rochon, the staging doesn’t soften the play’s iconic ending with Nora’s dramatic exit which still lands with liberating and intense force, nearly 150 years after it first shocked audiences.

Here’s something interesting I just learned about: A Doll’s House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath, premiered in 2017 at the South Coast Repertory before transferring to Broadway. It imagines Nora returning years later, confronting the consequences of her departure. The tone, language, and pacing are starkly different from Ibsen’s original, but that rupture is the point – it forces us to reckon with how far (or not) society has come.

In my opinion, the flow suffers, but the thematic resonance of freedom, independence and societal roles is amplified and relevant.

When a reinvention doesn’t “flow,” it might not be a flaw – it could be a deliberate choice to provoke, unsettle, or reframe. I had to sit with it for a while. The audience had mixed reviews.

For tickets from $29 – https://artsclub.com/shows/2025-2026/a-dolls-house

September 4–October 5, 2025

Stanley BFL CANADA Stage

By Henrik Ibsen

A New Version by Amy Herzog
Presented in Partnership with Theatre Calgary

Cast

Daniel Briere Torvald Helmer
Max Cannon* Ivar Helmer
Cecilia Carlson* Emmy Helmer
Azriel Dalman* Ivar Helmer
Elinor Holt Anne-Marie
Alexandra Lainfiesta Nora Helmer
Ron Pederson Nils Krogstad
Nova Scout* Emmy Helmer
Carmela Sison Kristine Linde
Marcus Youssef Doctor Rank

*Two actors alternate in this role.

Art & Culture

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Last night under the tents we went again, to attend the opening of Bard on the Beach’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” This is one of four plays being presented at the Vanier Park Venue.

Two Ladies of Vancouver at the **Bard Boutique** (with my friend + neighbour Marta).

This version of the play is a Shakespeare comedy of sorts, modernized with costumes, music, and a dog (of course we loved the dog best).

Jacob Leonard as Proteus & Matthew Ip Shaw as Valentine, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (2025). Directed by Dean Paul Gibson. Photo & Image Design by Emily Cooper.

There is a lot going on in this production, so for the sake of simplicity, I’ll sum it all up like this:

Two best friends, Valentine and Proteus, leave their hometown. Valentine heads to Milan and falls for Silvia, the ruler’s daughter. Proteus, originally in love with Julia, is sent to Milan too, but once he sees Silvia, he forgets all about Julia and tries to win Silvia for himself. Yikes. That’s men for you!

The Company of the Two Gentlemen of Verona – Photo by Tim Matheson.

Meanwhile…Julia disguises herself as a guy (classic Shakespeare move) and follows Proteus. There’s betrayal, heartbreak, mistaken identities, and even a very clever dog named Crab who steals scenes left and right.

Mason as Crab (the only dog role in the Shakespearean canon). Scott Bellis as Launce, Photo by Tim Matheson.

Tess Degenstein as **Julia**, Photo by Tim Matheson

In the end, all is forgiven far too quickly, love is restored, and the play wraps with everyone paired off and pals again. Oops…sorry about the spoiler alert. Believe me, if you see it, you won’t remember this ending.

Jacob Leonard as Proteus Tess Degenstein as Julia, Photo by Tim Matheson

Watch Trailer:

For tickets:

https://bardonthebeach.org/the-two-gentlemen-of-verona/

Header photo: d. king

Art & Culture

Much Ado About Nothing

Yes; there’s a lot of that these days!

I attended the opening night of Vancouver’s “Bard on the Beach” last night for “Much Ado About Nothing.” It appeared from the overall audience reaction, that this production was very well received. While I enjoyed the play and found the actors compelling, it is not one of my favourites of Shakespeare’s works.

With Marta – my lovely friend & neighbour.

Our beautiful **Kits Point Backdrop behind the stage** – before the start of the play.

Before the play started, **a few words from Artistic Director Claire Sakaki & Executive Director Christopher Gaze.**

The phrase “much ado about nothing” means a lot of fuss or commotion over something unimportant. It’s used when people get worked up or excited about a situation that turns out to be trivial or not worth the attention.

Nothing comes from the play’s title itself; a clever pun. In Elizabethan English, “nothing” was often pronounced like “noting,” which meant noticing or eavesdropping. So the title can also mean “Much Noting About Nothing,” hinting at how the entire plot revolves around overheard conversations, misunderstandings, and mistaken identities. Kinda like life itself at times.

For example, in Act 1, Scene 1, Beatrice jabs at Benedick with: “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” It’s witty, sharp, and shows how their “merry war” of words masks deeper feelings.

Jennifer Lines as Beatrice and Sheldon Elter as Benedick, Photo by Tim Matheson

Angus Yam as Claudio, Matthew Ip Shaw as Don Pedro, and David Marr as Leonato, Photo by Tim Matheson

Sometimes I wonder why people are laughing at a certain scene or something that I personally do not find funny. I turned to my friend and asked “why are they laughing?” She replied “You know, humor is a funny thing.” To which I replied “well, that’s what it’s supposed to be.” Then we both laughed.

If you’re into clever insults, romantic drama, and some old-school scheming, this play’s a classic.

So next time someone’s making a big deal out of a minor issue, you’ve got the perfect phrase to describe it.

For Tickets:

https://bardonthebeach.org/much-ado-about-nothing

June 10 to September 20 • BMO MAINSTAGE

“As merry as the day is long.” Two of Shakespeare’s most tumultuous couples – sparring singles Beatrice and Benedick, and young lovers Claudio and Hero – discover all is not as it seems in an idyllic town recovering from war. Will the truth win in this mischievous game of love? Secret love, courtship, and marriage intertwine with darker themes of warfare, deception, and mischief in Much Ado About Nothing. Romance, wit, and mistaken identities power this new staging of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy full of colourful characters, passionate poetry, and Shakespeare’s wittiest wordplay.

Jennifer Tong as Hero and Angus Yam as Claudio, Photo by Tim Matheson

Watch Trailer:

Production run dates subject to change.

Production run time: 2 hours 45 minutes, including 20 minute intermission.

inspiration

Arts Club – Primary Trust

PRIMARY TRUST is much more than a simple stage play set in a little town half an hour east of Rochester, New York. This play was the winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Best Drama – By Eboni Booth. From February 6th – March 2nd, 2025 at the Arts Club Theatre-Granville Island Stage. Go to bottom of page for ticket info.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Canadian Premiere. This review was written by Paul LeMay; a professional writer, on my behalf. It’s difficult to condense a whole play into a few paragraphs for a multitude of reasons – from monologues that are rich in dialogue to complexity of plot, themes and messages. I think he did a great job in narrowing the story down so that you still get the message without knowing everything. I believe this story will resonate with many.

It’s more than the simple story of a young black man who suddenly loses his job in a family-owned bookstore after working there for over twenty years. It’s about a man forced to confront the mind-numbing self-comforting of his near daily routine of drinking many a Mai-Tai during Happy Hour at Wally’s Tiki-bar with his best friend Bert.

Though the play draws its name from the bank where Kenneth eventually finds a new job as a teller, Primary Trust is about what it means to leave one’s own protective inner shell to confront one’s own early life traumatic losses. But allowing others to help us navigate that very delicate terrain to discover the healthier person we are beyond the trauma is also part of this story. So despite the surface-level simplicity of this light comedic play’s story premise, it’s one that proves able to dial into the proverbial emotional vulnerability found at the centre of each of us, and in so doing, it is more than enough to hit home in a meaningful manner. Don’t be surprised if tears rise to the surface when an inner recognition of this fact comes about, proving once again why theatre can often be both cathartic and healing for so many in attendance.

The performances of all the cast members were outstanding. The principal character Kenneth played by Andrew Broderick was convincing in his ability to convey the measure of innocence needed for this role. Broadus Mattison asKenneth’s friend Bert exemplified a powerful steadying mentorship presence that his deep gravitas voice instantlycommunicated. Andrew Wheeler was comedic in his portrayal of two of his quirkier characters, while also soberly convincing in his portrayal as the book store owner. And Celia Aloma was a veritable chameleon in her ability to almost instantly morph into a half dozen different characters as the script demanded throughout the course of the play.

And the music was never overly intrusive, but usefully supportive. In short, each cast member was an amazing credit to the successful staging of this play. Bravo!

Primary Trust – winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Best Drama – By Eboni Booth

Canadian Première – Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver Granville Island Stage, Feb 6-Mar 2, 2025

Cast:

Celia Aloma (Corrina/Wally’s Tiki Bar Waitress /Bank Customers)

Andrew Broderick (Kenneth – main character)

Anton Lipovetsky (Musician)

Broadus Mattison (Bert, Kenneth’s best friend)

Andrew Wheeler (Clay the Bookstore owner /Sam/ Waiter @ Le Pousselet)

Directed by Ashlie Corcoran

https://artsclub.com/shows/2024-2025/primary-trust

entertainment

The Comedy of Errors

This was my first time stepping foot inside the more intimate Howard Family Stage at Vancouver’s “Bard on the Beach” Shakespeare Festival for opening night of “Comedy of Errors.” It was my friend Cindy’s first time ever setting foot inside the Bard tents. She was so looking forward to this. We both were.

We loved the setup. We also loved the Artisan Market lineup of local vendors selling hand-crafted goods in the Bard Village leading up to the Howard Family Stage before the performance. Apparently they do this for both matinees and evening performances. What a great idea!

The whole floor and stage setup once inside is gorgeous – like taking a step back in time to being in an ancient Greek or Moroccan village. The actors carried on the local vendor theme in their exotic setting with patrons before the show. Although items here were only for show, not to purchase.

The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earlier plays. It is his shortest and one of his most farcical comedies. But it’s important to know that this play is a makeover of the original. Each year, Bard on the Beach directors lend a slightly different interpretation of each play.

This story revolves around two sets of identical twins, who get separated and grow up in two different cities, Ephesus and Syracuse. It takes place on an ancient Greek port teeming with comedic confusion of mistaken identity, marital infidelity, and some knee-slapping hijinks. The actors are very talented. They have to be; Shakespeare is no easy acheivement to perform.

This fantastical farce invites patrons to join the (toga) party & travel back to Ancient Greece in your best bed sheet and sandals. Your (optional) costume playing will only add to the merriment of the immersive Greek marketplace. Unfortunately, I didn’t get (or read) the memo about this. I wasn’t sure who were the actors and who were the patrons at first. All in good fun!

The Company of The Comedy of Errors, Photo by Tim Matheson

The Comedy of Errors – Adapted by Rebecca Northan with Bruce Horak, directed by Rebecca Northan

JULY 2 – SEPTEMBER 21 • HOWARD FAMILY STAGE. For TICKETS:

https://bardonthebeach.org/tickets

Header photo: Cindy Ross

Art & Culture

Arts Club: Ring of Fire

Last night I attended the opening night performance of “Ring of Fire” – a compelling storytelling through song about the legendary Johnny Cash, including his family and wife; the amazing June Carter Cash.

Patrick Metzger, Devon Busswood, Frankie Cottrell, Tainui Kuru, and Caitriona Murphy in Ring of Fire, 2024; set design by Patrick Rizzotti; costume design by Jessica Oostergo; lighting design by Robert Sondergaard; photo by Moonrider Productions for the **Arts Club Theatre Company**

Luckily my friend Lynda and I made it to the Arts Club Theatre at Granville Island only minutes before the start, after mistakenly first going to the Stanley Alliance Theatre on South Granville. I wondered why the marquee said “Guys and Dolls.” Anyway; note to self: always double check the ticket info beforehand ~~duh~~.

In a nutshell the show was nothing short of INCREDIBLE. The performers were top-notch with their singing and musical instrument capabilities, that it could’ve easily been a Broadway Musical. I mean; they were truly mind-blowing.

**Frankie** **Cottrell** (as Johnny Cash) in Ring of Fire, 2024; set design by Patrick Rizzotti; costume design by Jessica Oostergo; lighting design by Robert Sondergaard; photo by Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company

I’m personally not a huge country music fan, however I always admired Johnny Cash. His charisma and deep, resonant voice had a distinctive style blending country, rockabilly, blues, and gospel.

He often sang about the struggles of the common man, themes of redemption, faith, and justice. Cash’s music captured the essence of the human experience, reflecting both personal introspection and societal commentary.