Plum Viewing
Welcome to the latest edition of Plum Viewing, my weekly roundup of arts and culture to view online. Happy viewing!
Well lovely readers, as we see the cases of COVID-19 rising across our cities (regardless of where we are), let’s think about our favourite arts organizations and artists trying to navigate these ever-changing times. And, let’s be even more thankful to those who are finding ways to continue to entertain us and do what they do best.
On that note, the wonderful team at Toronto’s Factory Theatre, under the direction of powerhouse artistic director, Nina Lee Aquino, are bringing us The Satellite Season: Canadian Stories in Orbit. Featuring six world premieres and one re-imagined Canadian classic, the 2020/2021 season will be entirely digital and will be presented absolutely free of charge, so that everyone across the country (world!) can enjoy and access their work. I have enjoyed so many wonderful and powerful performances at Factory Theatre and I’m thrilled Nina and her team are able to share their incredible work more widely. Mark you calendars for the first performance: The world premiere of David Yee’s An Act of Faith, on Nov 19
Confronting America’s political divide is no small task, but Minneapolis theatre company, Pillsbury House Theatre, has been commissioning theater artists to grapple with this topic since the 2016 presidential election. Called Flip the Script, it’s an audio series where we hear from five playwrights, each writing companion pieces to their previous plays. Over the course of five episodes, each pair of plays will air back to back, providing a then-and-now glimpse into the conflict-ridden state of American politics. The series, which is offered free of charge, premieres on Friday, September 25 wherever you listen to podcasts.
Emma Rice’s charming musical, Romantic Anonymous, was all set to tour the U.S. following a sold-out run at London’s Globe Theatre but alas COVID hit. It is now being performed at Bristol’s beautiful Old Vic Theatre without an audience and streamed digitally. Based on the 2010 French movie Les Émotifs Anonymes, it is best described as a play with songs rather than an all-singing, all-dancing musical. It charts the tricky relationship between a reclusive chocolate-maker and a chocolate factory owner. Their delicate love affair is almost derailed by their crippling shyness, emotional inarticulacy and burdensome parental expectations. It was given a 4 star review by the Guardian and will be a delicious treat for us to enjoy. It’s streaming until Sept 25. Tickets are £16.00 and can be purchased here.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is not letting COVID stop them. They are reimagining their season with TSO at the Drive-In! In October, the TSO will be performing three hour-long, crowd-pleasing, and contactless programs at CityView Drive-In, Tickets go on sale today for subscription holders and Sept 21 for the general public. Now, how fun is that!
Ok, I know I have talked about the Village Vanguard before (and for good reason, it’s a cultural landmark) but this weekend, the historic venue is truly rolling out the red carpet. Tonight and Saturday, Bill Charlap and Wynton Marsalis will be making their premiere at the club. Both of these performers are masters at their craft. Watching them perform together at such an intimate space is something we won’t want to miss. So, pour yourself your favourite cocktail and settle in (we will be doing so at the Fairs’ house!). The show starts at 9 pm ET; tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.
Enjoy!!
And, an ask: While we’re enjoying these wonderful performances, let’s remember that for the arts organizations producing this incredible content, this is their livelihood; not a hobby. If we can, now is our time to continue to support our incredible arts community!
And, if you’d like to receive Plum Viewing weekly, send me a note at maggiefairs@gmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.