After viewing the very funny and intriguing production of In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play), I can report that, yes, a play about vibrators can be great theatre, as well as being a fun evening out with a parent.

Written by U.S.-born playwright Sarah Ruhl, In the Next Room is set around the 1880s in a town outside of New York City.  The play, which received three Tony award nominations in 2010, focuses on the medical practice of Dr. Givings, played by David Whiteley, who uses an electrical vibrator to treat women for “hysteria”.  (Science and electricity are recurring themes as the story is set during the dawn of electricity).

At the opening of the play, Dr. Givings begins treatment on a woman named Sabrina Daldry, played by Ottawa-native Sarah Finn, who complains of being too sensitive to light and cold, as well as being unable to play her beloved piano.  In reality, Mr. Daldry is sexually frustrated with her husband, played by David Frisch, and is delighted when she starts experiencing orgasms with the electrical machine.  The vibrating sessions are administered by Dr. Givings and her assistant Annie, played by Ottawa Theatre School graduate Michelle LeBlanc.

Dr. Givings wife Catherine, meanwhile, can’t help but notice all the moaning in her husband’s office, and soon discovers the pleasure of the electrical machine herself.  Unlike Mrs. Daldry, however, who is happy to reach climax in the doctor’s office and then return to a boring home life, Mrs. Givings demands more passion from life in general, and her husband in particular.

In her quest for joie de vivre, Mrs. Givings, who is played by Sascha Cole,  falls in love “a little” with a painter named Leo Irving, who is one of her husbands rare male patients.  Played by Robin Toller, who attended Canterbury High School’s drama program before moving to the United Kingdom to study at the The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, the artistic Leo captivates Mrs. Givings with tales of Italy, love and beauty.  As a new born mother, Mrs. Givings also struggles with motherhood and breastfeeding, with the latter issue leading her to hire a wet nurse named Elizabeth, played by Ottawa Theatre School graduate Dilys Ayafor.

While the plays’s subject matter may raise some eyebrows, the show is performed in a completely tasteful, albeit hilarious, fashion.  For me, the characters almost childlike discovery of the vibrator, coupled with genuine tender moments like the beautiful ending, make this production a lot of fun to watch.  So if you have a free evening in the next two-and-a half weeks, do yourself a favour and see this show, and don’t be shy about inviting a spouse, family member or friend.

In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) is directed by Bronwyn Steinberg and is playing at The Gladstone at 910 Gladstone Avenue until June 1.  Shows take place Tuesday to Saturday (see schedule here), and tickets range from $23 for students to $39 for adult, tax included.

It’s been a season of labour unrest in Canada; first the teachers in Ontario, and then the prison guards in Alberta. Now the Ottawa Stilts Union is threatening to cause some ruckus. Yes, Ottawa has a Stilt Union, a theatre group that uses stilts, acrobatics and other forms of extreme physical action to tell their stories. They are planning their first fundraiser raiser, Karnival de Kleo, for this weekend.

A number of subversive activities and planned, including stilt try-outs, acrobatics try-outs, a music station, a crafts table, a kissing booth, and a cash bar. There will also be a performance of  Kleo’s Wake,  which was featured at SubDevision theater festival, a performance featuring eight concurrent performances specifically created for different subdivided spaces all within St. Paul’s Eastern United Church.

While the theatre company has been around since 2007, Karnival de Kleo is the union’s first fundraiser. According to Élise Gauthier, one of the troop’s members, they are hoping to get funds in order to continue developing future performances.

 ”It’s very important to us that our performances remain affordable for our audiences, which is why most of our performances are “pass-the-hat”, or pay-what-you-can. However, if we want to be able to afford nice costumes, set pieces, rehearsal space, and to pay ourselves as professional artists, we need some money. In the past, we’ve been fortunate enough to receive funding from various organisations, but that’s not always enough. We have a few new plays in various stages of creation, and we’re hoping to raise enough money to allow us to continue to create.”

That creation will include a new piece for this year’s edition of SubDevision, which will be featured as part of Magnetic North. They’re also planning to perform La Toilette, a show they created last year and took to Yellowknife , as well as honing their skills at an acrobatics and handstands workshop.

Karnival de Kleo is happening this Friday, May 10th, 2013 from 7-10pm (doors open at 6:45pm) at Memorial Hall of the NECTAR Centre, 39 Dufferin Road in New Edinburgh. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and can be purchased at Neon Skates at 285 St-Patrick St in the Byward Market.

As a part of the launch of Northern Scene, a handful of galleries in Ottawa and Gatineau will be hosting events, exhibition openings and performances by some of the best talent coming from the North. Billed as “the largest gathering of artists from Yukon, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut”, the festival will showcase more than 250 artists over ten days.

SWARM starts with a gallery crawl at 6pm — to get around the city you can walk, bike or take a ride on the free shuttle bus. For a full listing of galleries and exhibitions, see below.

At 9pm, the National Arts Centre is throwing a party with Hip hop artist Aaron “Godson” Hernandez, DJ Madeskimo and throat boxer Nelson Tagoona. The foyer of the NAC will also feature Boundless, complete with a runway showcasing fashion from Northern designers.

The SWARM party continues throughout the night at Club SAW – don’t miss a special performance by Joseph Tisiga and Lauren Passmore at 11:30pm.

Gallery Listing

AXENÉO7
Not Real, Only In The Mind
Work by artist-in-residence sculptor (and Mayor of Ivujivik, QC) Mattiusi Iyaituk.

Carleton University Art Gallery
Dorset Seen and Dorset Gold
The first 100 visitors to stop in will get CUAG swag bags!

City Hall Art Gallery
The Soniferous Æther of The Land Beyond The Land Beyond
Film by Charles Stankievech – recorded at CFS Alert, the northernmost human settlement on Earth. Presented in collaboration with SAW Video Media Art Centre.

Cube Gallery
edge of the ‘knife
A contemporary group show featuring Yellowknife artists Rae Braden, Landon Peters, Jennifer Walden,  Terry Pamplin, Helene Girard, Angus Beaulieu and Margaret Nazon.

DAÏMÕN
Afriques: Art Video curated by Pierre Beaudoin. 

Galerie SAW Gallery 
Northern Exposures
Curated by Candice Hopkins. Featuring work by Steve Anderson, Janet Ripley Armstrong, Goota Ashoona, Joe Ashoona, Bob Kussy, Aidan Cartwright, Marcus Jackson, Jimmy Kamimmalik, Quvavau Manumie, Ohotaw Mikkigak, Leo Mukjunik, Willie Mukjunik, Danny Osborne, Itee Pootoogook, Monique Robert, Nicotye Samayualie, Doug Smarch, Joseph Tisiga, Jutai Toonoo, Papiara Tukiki and Mary Tutsweetok.

Gallery 101
Aurora Boreawesomer
Curated by Lynn Canney, in partnership with The Open Sky Creative Society. Opening ceremony at 7pm with Dehcho Elder Gerald Antoine.

National Arts Centre
Artists’ Marketplace - Panorama Room
Boundless: Fashion from Canada’s North - Main Lobby (foyer)
Whalebone, Beads, Fur, Feathers, Fibre and Soapstone - Mezzanine
From the collection of the Canada Council Art Bank
Relish Gourmet Food Truck
Chef Paul Bergeron will lure you in with smoked Arctic char tacos and braised elk poutine.

National Gallery of Canada
New Voices from the New North
Curated by Heather Campbell. Featuring work by Davidialuk Alasua Amittu, Luke Anguhadluq, Tony Anguhalluq, Kenojuak Ashevak, Karoo Ashevak, Kiugak Ashoona, Shuvinai Ashoona, Igloolik Isuma Productions, Elisapee Ishulutaq, Mattiusi Iyaituk, Helen Kalvak, Qavavau Manumie, Michael Massie, William Noah, Jessie Oonark, Jacoposie Oopakak, Kananginak Pootoogook, Itee Pootoogook, Pudlo Pudlat, David Ruben Piqtoukun, Nick Sikkuark and Ningeokuluk Teevee.

Ottawa Art Gallery
Larger Than Life
Work by Sonja Ahlers, Rosemary Scanlon, Joseph Tisiga, Veronica Verkley.
Whitehorse artist Sonja Ahlers will be hosting a drop-in workshop where party-goers can make their own art inspired by her installation of found objects.
ᑕᑯᓱᕐᓀᑐᖅ (Ta•ku•shur•nai•tuk) n. 1. Things Never Seen Before 2. Aisa Qumaaluk Sivuaraapik and Others
On display in the Firestone Gallery, with work from Bobby Najummialu Novalinga, Levi Alaasuaq Pirti (Smith), Mattiusi Manukuluk Qilurqi, Mattiusi Ilimasaut Amarualik, Aisa Qumaaluk Sivuaraapik and Aliva Tuktu Tulugak. Curated by Catherine Sinclair.

For more information on events, performances, workshops and happenings occurring throughout the Northern Scene festival (April 25-May 4), check the NAC website.

Sonja Ahlers, Untitled (detail) 2013. Toe shoes, fur, glass, ephemera, porcelain leg by Shary Boyle. Courtesy of the artist.

That being said, the talent showcase of La Traviata is phenomenal. The NAC Orchestra was wonderful, as always, and the chorus was excellent. The soloists were exceptional, reminding me that, in the right hands (a trained vocalist, not an overzealous karaoke performer) a voice truly can be a beautiful instrument. Corinne Winters did the part of Violetta justice, and her gowns were exquisite. Marion Newman was engaging and captivating as Flora and her interactions with Benjamin Covey (Marchese d’Obigny) and Jonathan Estabrooks (Barone Douphol) were entertaining and reminiscent of a fully staged show. They were extremely entertaining to watch.

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening at the NAC. Opera fans will appreciate OLO’s concert presentation of La Traviata – it’s a solid production of Verdi’s masterpiece. Opera newbies may want to wait until next season to get the full opera experience. Luckily, OLO has announced their productions for next season. In two fully staged performances, OLO will present Bizet’s Carmen in the autumn of 2013 and Puccini’s Madam Butterfly in the spring of 2014. Both are classic operas – everyone will recognize at least one song from each of them,  as they are both that ingrained in pop culture. La Traviata may have been a little understated but it was beautiful and well worth seeing.

La Traviata continues tomorrow night at the NAC. 

Ottawa was once home to world-renowned opera. The NAC’s in-house opera company drew international attention; some of opera’s greatest set and costume designers worked on productions for the NAC. Opera Lyra Ottawa (OLO) was started in 1984 by Canadian soprano Diana Gilchrist after budget cuts to the NAC threatened to drive opera from the Capital forever. OLO began as a community based company – their first production, Mozart’s “The Impressario,” was at the York Street Theatre in the Market. From these humble beginnings, a truly Canadian opera company was born. OLO has showcased the talent of many notable Canadian artists (Louis Quilico, Wendy Neilsen and Russell Braun to name a few, for any opera geeks reading) and performing with OLO is considered a great opportunity for up and coming artists to try out some of opera’s great roles for the first time.

There have been many extremely talented artistic directors for Opera Lyra (Diana Gilchrist occupied the position for the company’s first four years) but when Tyrone Paterson took over as OLO’s Artistic Director in 1999, he founded The Young Artists Training Programme, one of the few Canadian based training programs designed to help young professionals at the beginning of their operatic careers. OLO is also passionate about giving kids the chance to fall in love with opera. They offer a variety of programs to introduce children and youths to the opera, including special, student only, performances and teacher’s resources.

Opera Lyra puts on two productions a year, one in the autumn and one in the spring. La Boheme was back in September, and opera fans are excited for La Traviata, opening March 21. La Traviata is a story of whorish behavior, true love found and then lost, and found again. Heartache, betrayal, extremely rude behavior, a duel and a tragic death… Have I already mentioned opera’s similarities to soap operas? The names aren’t analogous by coincidence. It’s the tale of Violetta, a party girl courtesan, who falls for a sweet guy named Alfredo – even though she’s dating a baron at the time – settles down with him and then sends him away to protect the family’s reputation. She goes back to her party girl ways and he gets kind of douchy… It’s an archetypal story that remains relevant, even today. The ending isn’t terribly happy (so few truly are) but the story is beautiful.

For those of you who already love and appreciate the opera, there will be two performances of La Traviata, Thursday, March 21 and Saturday, March 23. Make an evening of it; dress up, take your significant other out for a nice dinner and a night at the opera. For those of you who’ve never been, all I can say is, try it. You might like it. Student Rush applies for opera tickets, so if you’re looking for something new to do, give it a shot. If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love. If not, at least you’ll be able to tell people you’ve been to the opera… It’s an experience everyone should have at least once.

Zimmerman uses these classic myths to critique our contemporary world. Erysichthon’s tale of black comedy warns of the dangers of overconsumption. Baucis and Philemon’s story shows the importance of charity and humility.  The play weaves together poignant, humourous, and tragic tales to delight the audience.

The staging of this production is inventively done through the use of two separate pools onstage. Bretta Gerecke’s set is magnificent and original. The ensemble cast makes full use of the multi-level mis-en-scène, which adds variety to the piece.

Metamorphoses is an incredibly demanding play. To succeed it requires a seamless ensemble cast with strong storytelling skills. This production unfortunately had difficulties finding the narrative contours of the myth, often relying too heavily on bawdy humour or high drama. The flamboyant nature of the comedy and tragedy gave the impression that the ensemble cast was trying to out-act each other, rather than act together.

The play also had audio problems; the cast had to shout over the music and sounds of falling water, which hindered their ability to add much-needed range to the piece. While the water-inspired music done by Jonathon Monro was beautiful, when combined with the actual water, it made for a messy soundscape.

The production could have benefitted from subtlety in both the acting style and the staging.  Having one person tell the story and the actors “play it out” seemed the go-to staging technique.  Overall, this piece was far too literal, and from the actor’s performances to the staging itself, it simply missed the mark.

Les Coquettes co-founder Kathryn Romanow was kind enough to speak to us in advance of the show. She plays multiple roles within Les Coquettes, including choreographer and production manager, and you can even see her performing on stage this Saturday as the buxom Lilli Bubalotovich.

Apt613: Your shows seem to take their cues from different eras and genres, from 1940s era film noire to 1980s b-boyism. What can Ottawa expect to see during your show?

KR: Actually we go even further back and further forward. Les Coquettes was originally inspired by the late 1890s Folies Bergère in Paris, a time when it was scandalous to show your ankles. We incorporate some traditional costuming from that early period and mix it with contemporary music and choreography. In Ottawa, we will be ranging from that early period, as well as some very 40s style numbers, musical theatre pieces, clown, aerial silks and some very 50s styled burlesque. There also might be some Canadiana thrown in there for good measure.

Apt613: You describe Les Coquettes as ‘cabaret burlesque’. Do you see a distinction between burlesque and cabaret?

KR: Yes. Cabaret to me involves more disciplines than just the art of striptease. Les Coquettes wrap our numbers with singing, acting, dancing, clown, aerial cirque and more.

Apt613: The members of Les Coquettes seem to have a lot of professional theater and dance training under their (garter) belts. Is there an advantage to having formal dance, theatrical and musical training before coming to burlesque, or can interested people start fresh?

KR: The answer to both your questions is, absolutely yes. Since burlesque is so much about the tease, it’s important to not just be a trained dancer but to add the element of engagement with the audience. Trained dancers can focus on selling a number and not be worried about the steps. They engage the audience and tell a story, all the while performing some clever dance steps, weaving a story from beginning to end and possibly revealing a bit of skin.

As for musical training, not all of our performers are singer. This is not traditionally a requirement of burlesque which is one of the reasons why we classify ourselves as “cabaret burlesque”. With our troupe, it is certainly a bonus to have a background in music but not a necessity. As for “fresh flesh”, anyone can learn the art of tease. We’ve all been doing it for centuries whether we recognize it or not. Les Coquettes even offers group classes on the basics of striptease.

Apt613: You’ll be joined by Toronto burlesque royalty Coco Framboise. How much of a coup is it for her to be coming to Ottawa, and what can we expect her to bring?

KR: We are madly in love with Coco Framboise and it is quite a coup that this show worked out. She has performed with us many times in the past and we are delighted that she is coming to play with us in Ottawa. You can expect Coco to epitomize the sparkle and grandeur of what most people think a burlesque artist is. She is classic and larger than life and the number she is doing for you in Ottawa is, like her, stunningly beautiful and pulls out all the stops.

Apt613: Les Coquettes are known for audience interaction. What can we expect audience members to get up to during the Ottawa show?

KR: Oh if I tell you that it may spoil the surprise. But suffice it to say there is no “fourth wall” in our playing space. We’re in the house, we’re in your lap, and you…well you are IN the show.

Apt613: The male Coquettes are called Man Props. Are they really just props for the ladies to work around, or do the guys get to strut their masculinity too?

KR: Originally the Man Props did just pick up after us ladies. (It’s so unlady-like to pick up your own costumes at the end of your number). But our men, like our ladies, evolved over time and wanted to strut their own stuff. As a result you will see a couple of male solos in Ottawa. We like to give something for everyone. I’m also excited that the men are performing one of our classic group “Man Prop numbers” – with a twist.

Apt613: Les Coquettes have performed in some small-ish towns. What has the reception been like so far?

KR: Great! Two years ago we performed at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound, a town well-known to have their own “prohibition” until 1972! Before we got there we’d heard rumblings about us coming to town and we feared the worst. What we found was a sold out show and a lineup of people hoping to get last minute tickets if there were cancellations.  They were truly the best house we had performed to as of that date.

New Years Eve 2011 brought us to the amazing Sanderson Centre in Brantford. This theatre is a gem, built in 1919, seats over 1,000 and is a fitting home for our show. We were so well received that we were asked back for New Years Eve 2012 and performed TWO shows this time around. After our first show there in 2011, Brantford residents started coming to Toronto to see our shows. I think they like us.

It’s interesting to note that both of these theatres use to be old vaudeville houses. We were in very good company.

Apt613: After nine years in existence, Les Coquettes seem to be one of the more established Canadian troupes. How has the scene evolved over nine years?

KR: The Toronto scene has grown a lot in the last 9 years. There are more troupes every year and more solo artists popping up all the time. I think a big influence has been the Toronto Burlesque Festival (first started in 2008). What’s really great to see is the diversity of talent and types of acts being performed now at shows. It’s inspiring to see what others are doing in the scene. It makes me strive to be even more ambitious.

The very best thing about Les Coquettes’ show this Saturday is that you can see it for free (with a friend) by way of a little contest we’re running. All you have to do is send us your fictional burlesque stage names. If you are already a burlesque performer, make up a new name! For inspiration, check out the awesome stage names on Les Coquettes‘ website!

Email your names to apartment613 [at] gmail [dot] com with the subject line “Coquettes”. All respondents will be entered into a draw for tickets. Be sure to get us your answers by Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 at 3 p.m.!

Les Coquettes Cabaret Burlesque perform at Centrepointe Theatre on Saturday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m. Ticket information is available here. This one’s adults only folks.

In the middle of Carmen Aguirre’s Blue Box she advises, “When one is on an adventure, one must see it through to the end.”  Aguirre has not simply lived her adventures; she compelled them into existence. Blue Box is an hour and a half long one-woman show performed by a revolutionary-witch-lover-prophet-comedienne, Carmen Aguirre.

The autobiographical play takes the form of interwoven tales. The several stories centre upon participating in the resistance movement against Pinochet in Chile and falling in love with a real Chicano Hollywood actor who has “a really big… heart.”

The stage is bare, the music is minimal and the lighting quietly punctuates the drama.  The production designer, Itai Erdal, and the sound designer/composer, Joelysa Pankanea, have done their job with tasteful subtlety. The music and sound just serve to remind you, this show is all Ms. Aguirre. 

Aguirre mocks the petite bourgeois, she chides our hibernating nether regions, and she welcomes us into her world. She shifts from comedy to tragedy, romance to smut. I would tell you more, but so much of the work’s strength is in it’s unraveling.

Despite her Chilean affinities, Aguirre is joining a long tradition of Canadian, female, solo performers telling their life story upon the stage. She does the tradition proud. The writing is lyrical and rhythmic. Her metaphors rarely overreach. Her jokes are tragic and brazen. All of these aspects culminate in a piece that is both poetic and authentic.

Finally, one cannot downplay the connection made between the performer and audience.  And it is here where Blue Box finds its intensity. Aguirre walks up to the audience, she submits herself, and she bares her stories as if they were her soul.  There is a selfishness and a bravery to her performance—it is just so human.

Aguirre has afforded us with an adventure. It would be unwise to pass it up.

Blue Box runs from January 15 – February 3, 2013 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company, commissioned and developed by Nightswimming. 

Local band Good2Go will be at the Atomic Rooster tomorrow night, while down at Raw Sugar there’s a fundraiser/party for the Ottawa Rock Lottery, featuring Zoo Legacy, a screening of the ORL documentary, and a DJ dance party. Also in fundraisers, the Carleton Architecture School is hosting kosmic gravity, their annual Barrymore’s extravaganza.  Herd magazine is launching their second issue, bringing in music (James and Blackburn, Wind and the Wild), DJs and VJs, food and drinks – and a small tip: if you didn’t get into their last event, come earlier. The City Above, a local rock quintet, is also celebrating the release of their latest LP at at Pressed.

Down at Irene’s, you can catch The Flats and The Standardbreds with their folky-rock sound, while over at La Temporaire (yes, across the bridge), Absolutely Free and Fet. Nat will blur genre lines. The SoulJazz Orchestra returns home to Babylon on Saturday night, after traipsing about the world, and The Dead Bees will be down at Raw Sugar. You can then wind things down with Dynamite Motel at the Hintonburg Public House Sunday evening.

SAW Video is showing off the work of their members at Resolution 2013 – they’ll have animated shorts, documentaries and everything in between. In live performances, Mrs. Dally has a Lover continues its extended run at ACT Studio – but note that it finishes on Saturday!

Book lovers have a few options this weekend, too – author Maurice Hladik will talk how your food really gets from the farm to your fork at the new de Natura series, and the Dusty Owl Reading Series continues with Luna Allison and Erin Saoirse Adair on Sunday.

We’ve got vernissages, workshops and more music happening, too – what else will you get up to this weekend? Let us know below!