By Michael Crabb Revolving stages, originally introduced to effect speedy scene changes, have been a popular mechanical device in the theatre for more than a century. It did not take long for directors to discover they could also be used to create a variety of visual illusions such as that of an actor seemingly walking
By Michael Crabb The Toronto dance scene has sprung back to a close approximation of pre-pandemic normality with a welcome stampede of live performances by local and visiting artists. Dancer-choreographer Nova Bhattacharya was first out of the gate in September with the premiere of Svāhā!, a joyful work for an all-female 22-dancer cast. The title comes
By Michael Crabb It’s mid-October, almost six weeks until the premiere of the National Ballet of Canada’s two-million-dollar aspiring blockbuster, MADDADDAM, and much remains to be done. “There were four weeks I was really making material,” says the acclaimed British choreographer Wayne McGregor. “I was trying to invent, to get stuff out of my head,