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Culture Stage

Interview: Laura Nanni

RHUBARB FESTIVAL: RAW. RADICAL. PERFORMANCE. presented by Buddies in Bad Times (12 Alexander), at Buddies and other locations. Runs through February 19, Wednesday-Sunday, various times. Evening passes $20, Sunday afternoons and One-To-One Performance Series pwyc, mobile events free. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com. See listings.


Nothing is more difficult for Rhubarb Fest director Laura Nanni than being asked which one show out of some 40 must be seen.

“Rhubarb isn’t about any one piece,” she says about her scheduling of the 33rd festival. “It’s about the experience of an entire evening of shows in development, since you can see five 30-minute pieces each night.

“Rhubarb is about that arc, a conversation that’s made of a series of works. I encourage people to try a number of bite-sized tastes of new ideas and projects, not just one.”

Part of the thrill of Rhubarb is seeing the work of established artists like Adam Lazarus, Damien Atkins and Rosa Laborde alongside that of theatre newbies such as Eroca Nicols, Meera Margaret Singh and Luke Painter and musicians Yamantaka//Sonic Titan.

“The aim in bringing this mix together is to create an environment where artists can learn and be inspired by each other’s different backgrounds and approaches to performance. This mix of artists also makes for a diverse audience.”

Returning are workshops of solo pieces by Buddies’ Young Creators Unit: Daniel Jelani Ellis, cassy walker, Jamie Ebbs and Michael David Lorsch – “some of the bravest works I’ve seen in a while,” she says.

Several pieces are again being done outside the Buddies space, and a new performance series called One-To-One has a single audience member interacting with a work’s creator.

Download associated audio clip.

It’s also important, adds Nanni, to program international artists. This year’s guests are New York cabaret sensation Justin Vivian Bond and performance artist Keith Hennessey.

Download associated audio clip.

And what’s Nanni’s guilty Rhubarb pleasure?

“I really look forward to the parties. They’re as performative as anything you see onstage, and a great release of the energy between audience and performers. I can’t wait to dance with everybody.”

jonkap@nowtoronto.com

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