WalkLeft, the Podcast

…but there will be new episodes in a couple of weeks.

Stay tuned!

It takes a special kind of actor to do the words of William Shakespeare justice. It takes a special kind of person to take theatre to the people who would benefit from it. Sometimes, that’s the same individual – as in the case of Victoria Urquhart, a co-founder of the Spur-Of-The-Moment Shakespeare Collective.

The story of their projects starts like many others, but the twist behind the origins of their Shakespeare-In-Hospitals program warms my heart. And now they’re sharing that performance material as a showcase event which will also include anecdotes from the experiences they’ve had thus far. Enjoy this glimpse into their past and process.

You might know Tara Litvack as a musical director or perhaps as an accompanist. You might know her as a vocal coach, conductor, or arranger. She’s now also a producer and the podcast’s first guest inviting you to a musical theatre event.

Set Those Sails: A Night of William Finn will take place on one night only, December 14th, and features a long list of talented vocalists who will be singing Ms. Litvack’s new arrangements of Mr. Finn’s songs.

Matt Gorman, Artistic Director of Cart/Horse Theatre, has a way of making an interviewer forget about asking for little things like show dates and the theatre company’s website URL. This Lime Tree Bower, incidentally, has a preview on December 6th and runs from December 7th through December 22nd.

But there’s a lot more to this episode than a show and a theatre company. Matt has provocative thoughts on quite a number of topics. Have a listen, then have your say.

The Theatre Lab has a history of bringing lots of talented individuals together for their productions. There is certainly a similar confluence for The Other Houdini, which brings together aspects of Clown, physical comedy, and escape artistry… not to mention original music. Omar Hady, Michael Orlando, and Robert Feetham shared their excitement about the show and their enthusiasm regarding the company’s co-residence with Pandemic Theatre in the Collective Studio & Event Space.

Sanctuary Toronto and The Bench Theatre Initiative present plays as a labour of love. Not just a love of craft and creativity, but also a deep affection for the community. Have a listen and you’ll hear the joy in the voices of Shannon Blake and Lyf Stolte as they talk about their work and the upcoming production of Damien.

Their enthusiasm is infectious.

What’s more deranged than five people talking on three microphones? The answer to that may very well be the first production from tryworks theatre co. The director and cast of Aeroplane Jelly(Brooke Meyer, Andy Ingram, Matthew Donovan, and Zachary Knowles – respectively) all swung by after a rehearsal at which, you can hear for yourself, they probably had a blast.

Fancy a tickle? Have a listen.

This episode’s upcoming production is a play which touches on themes at the forefront of many minds as Remembrance Day nears. Monique “Mo” Renaud is the artistic director of Rarely Pure Theatre, a company built to act as a creative hub. Her play, Until Our Paths Cross Again, was conceived as a study of Captain Nichola Goddard, the first female Canadian combat soldier killed in combat.

Intriguing source material and a story that’s sure to capture the imagination. Check it out.

Pastel Supernova is the podcast’s first guest from the wickedly wild world of burlesque. Here’s your opportunity to learn what makes her company, Love Letters Cabaret, different from other burlesque you may have seen around town. The only thing more provocative than the true story of the day of her first burlesque show is her description of what you can expect if you’re in the audience for The Bacchanal.

It’s probably going to be a while before I find a guest with a cooler name, eh?

Much like her plays, conversations with Kat Sandler inspire reflection, prompt action, and evoke laughter. Theatre Brouhaha‘s next production, Delicacy, promises to continue the company tradition of deliciously dark comedies.

Here’s hoping the episode is as fun to listen to as it was to record.