C’EST MAGNIFIQUE! The Cirque Du Soleil rolled into town and pitched the big top for the local premiere of their latest extravaganza, Saltimbanco last Friday. The show kicks off with [027-001] Dimitri A. Arnaotov unveiling the magical chair, and seduces viewers with a journey of astonishment and wonder. This 20th century interpretation of a 16th century tradition had the crowd roaring with laughter and gaping in amazement. I applauded so much my hands hurt. Afterwards, there was a party for the cast, crew and guests, including [027-002, l&r] trapeze artists / twin sisters (twisters?) Karyne and Sarah Steben, kicking around with artistic director Andrew Watson. Enjoying themselves in a new town were [027-003, l-r] acrobat Oleg Kantemirov, bass player Jean-Francois Lemieux, acrobats Mathieu Roy, Martin Boisvert, and Tanya Zubrilina, Oleg’s wife. Caught hangin’ out, kickin’ back and drinkin’ up were [027-004, l-r] musicians Tyler Stewart, Meryn Cadell and Kurt Swinghammer. Also having fun were [027-005, l-r] acrobats Daniel Olivier and Andrea Conway, who plays the quote, unquote “slut on the mattress.” Sure. Many unpublished outtakes follow.
OUCH! Urban Primitive on Spadina opened with a bang Sunday with “Images in the Flesh 1993, A Living Art Exhibition.” Included in the crowd at the one-stop house of body-art design were many devotees of tattooing, piercing, scarification, branding and other arcane arts. Adding to the display were [027-030, l-r] Patricia Marsh of the Patricia Marsh House of Domination and Fantasy (“The original!”), the Master of the house himself, body designer Daimon, and devoted customer Bill Andrews. The centrepiece display of the day was piercing artist Mikey [027-031] getting his lips sewn together. Why? Cuz he’s “a bit of an exhibitionist, and the endorphins felt great.” Definitely not for the faint of heart. Displaying a somewhat more ordinary bit of body design was [027-032, l-r] C&W musician Hank Sinatra, with burlesque entertainer – “That’s what my licence says” – Kenzia. The carousel go outtakes follows. Caution: many are not for the faint of heart.
PICKIN’ UP THE STATUES: The 14th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards for outstanding theatre work were handed out Monday in a black-tie affair at the St. Lawrence Centre. At the post-awards bash, where the winners could celebrate and the losers drink and forget, a fairly strange, rather jovial mood overtook the crowd. Oh my God! These people are actually enjoying themselves! Caught up in the fun were the brains behind Forever Plaid, [027-054, l-r] executive producer Joan Mathers with producers Laurence Follows and Jeffrey Latimer. The trio scooped up their statue for outstanding musical. Also on hand were [027-055, l-r] winning actor (Performance, musical) Kate Hennig, and the accepting ladies, Anna-Louise Richardson, who subbed for Allen Cole, and Sue Konynenburg, who hit the podium for Brent Carver. And just where are the awards? “In our cars!” Hanging out in the courtyard were [027-056, l-r] Daniel Brooks, winner for direction (The Lorca Play) and Caroline Gillis, who’s in the company. Also kickin’ around were [027-057, l-r] writer Paul Pogue, the Queen’s Bedroom owner Adam Austin and actor Valerie Buhagiar. Enjoy the selection of unpublished outtakes at the end. Do you recognize anyone?
Steven Lungley(https://eyespytoronto.com)