Welcome back to the 209th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 209th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Unbelievably Believable, written and directed by Catherine Maleikova, presented by Twisted Dog Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss layers of storytelling, whimsical puppetry, and the power of the imagination.

Welcome back to the 209th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 209th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Oraculum, created and performed by Denim and Pythia, directed by ted witzel, and presented by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the aesthetics of drag performance, the legitimacy of tarot readings, and anxieties about the future.

Welcome back to the 210th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 210th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Artistic Producer Jillian Robinson and features performer, playwright, educator, voice and dialect coach, and lover of laughter/carbohydrates Alicia Richardson. Join these two as they discuss extending your window of tolerance, realizing your correct place, and melanating the mainstream.

Welcome back to the 209th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 209th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, book by David Greig, directed by Thom Allison, and presented by Young People's Theatre (YPT). Join Jillian Robinson and Mackenzie Horner as they discuss the multitudes of theatre magic, the local impact of a contemporary adaptation, and the timeless beauty of pure imagination.

Welcome back to the 208th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 208th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Timon of Athens, adapted by James Llewellyn Evans, directed by Max Ackerman, and produced by William Shakespeare & Friends Collective with support of Dandelion Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and special guest Alicia Plummer as they discuss the power of bookended movement, debate the insertion of contemporary text, and decipher when we invest and when we observe.

Welcome back to the 207th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 207th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Playing Shylock, written by Mark Leiren-Young, directed by Martin Kinch, starring Saul Rubinek (in the titular action), and presented by Canadian Stage in association with Starvox Entertainment. Join Ryan Borochovitz and special guest Max Ackerman, as they don their finest sweaters to revisit their complicated thoughts about The Merchant of Venice, examine the theatricality of lecturing, and (perhaps surprisingly) asses the Lorax’s policy proposals for comprehensive environmental reform.

Welcome back to the 206th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 206th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Artistic Producer Jillian Robinson and features internationally acclaimed songwriter and composer Scott Alan, who is soon to be making his first visit to Canada (unless you count EPCOT) to lead the masterclass and concert, Scott Alan & Friends, presented by Doctor Bird Productions. Join these two as they discuss pressing play on your dreams, singing with the clothes from your attic, and making Shoshana Bean cry (in a good way)!

Welcome back to the 205th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 205th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical in Concert, presented by Doctor Bird Productions. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they revisit everyone’s favourite spooky musical, praise the whole palette of talented artists, and meditate on the little bit of evil that lurks within us all.

Welcome back to the 204th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 204th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Sankofa: The Soldier’s Tale Retold, presented by Art of Time Ensemble, based on Igor Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat, with a new libretto by Titilope Sonuga, directed by Tawiah M’Carthy. Join Mackenzie Horner and Jillian Robinson, as they unpack the brilliance of layered theatricality, the necessity to retell one’s history, and (like the sankofa) the importance of learning from the past to inform the future.

Welcome back to the 203th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 203th episode we bring you Part 2 of our two-part Review Roundup covering all six shows in the 2024 Next Stage Theatre Festival (presented by Toronto Fringe). Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz as they reflect upon the remaining three pieces they attended, completely jettisoning their intended ten-minute allotment per show (not sorry!). In these reviews, they shine a light on the end of the world, unpack asexual dramaturgy, and have a long conversation about histories of Indigenous erasure.

Catch up on Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXjOdvbCriA

The Next Stage Festival is currently running at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON) until November 27th, 2024.

Information about the show line-up and tickets can be found at the following link: https://fringetoronto.com/next-stage/shows

WARNING: This review roundup contains spoilers for all three shows being covered.

TIMESTAMP NAVIGATOR:

0:00 – Intro

2:29 – This Feels Like the End

24:53 – Prude

44:31 – Civilized

1:02:03 – Interlude … which Ryan promises will be relevant

1:12:25 – (Now, back to) Civilized

1:28:47 – Sign Off

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]