Hysteria at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander), from Thursday (October 23) to November 2. 416-975-8555.
Rating: NNNNN
The women of the hysteria arts extravaganza aren’t really hysterical. The women’s festival, featuring performance as well as visual arts, uses the word “hysteria” because, say organizers, being hysterical has traditionally been viewed as a female affliction. Interesting that it’s been treated throughout history by a number of -tomy’s and -ations, with a -cism thrown in for good measure: lobotomy, hysterectomy, sensory deprivation, sedation, masturbation, incarceration and exorcism.
More to the point, the 11-day festival features some really interesting artists, including Kirsten Johnson and Taira Liceaga , at the Hysteria Visual Art Gallery.
