Rating: NNNNN
News blackout
Kidnapped and chained back to back, a left-wing journalist and a powerful newspaper baron (Conrad Black, anyone?) try to determine the nature of the news story they’re living in Clout, the latest from David Young (Glenn, Inexpressible Island). Richard Rose directs Eric Peterson, R.H. Thomson and Waneta Storms. The National Arts Centre/Necessary Angel/Factory Theatre co-pro previews from February 17 and opens February 22 at the Factory Mainstage (125 Bathurst). 416-504-9971.
Out of Africa
Dance aficionados are in for a treat with the Toronto debut of Salia nï Seydou, the hot combo from Burkina Faso who copped the People’s Choice Award at Montreal’s Festival International de Nouvelle Danse. February 6-10 at Premiere Dance Theatre (207 Queen’s Quay West). 416-973-4000.
Ignored Headline: bard’s belles
Bard’s belles
Ann-Marie MacDonald’s delightful Shakespearean romp Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) returns as the big-stage version it deserves to be. MacDonald herself plays the shy, mousy scholar. Alisa Palmer directs a diamond-studded cast * Alison Sealy Smith, Cara Pifko, Andy Velasquez and Juan Chioran. The Canadian Stage production previews from March 19 and opens March 22 at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front East). 416-368-3110.
Through the roof
This year’s Raising The Roof Comedy Cabaret funder for Canada’s homeless extends over five nights, with evenings devoted to sketch (Jessica Holmes, Nugmutter), stand-up (Laurie Elliot, Pete Zedlacher) and the unique humour of Sean Cullen and Gavin Crawford. A gala evening headed by Dave Foley, Dave Broadfoot and the X-Files’ Dean Haglund tops it off. Toques can be had for a donation of $5 or better. February 7-10 at the Rivoli (332 Queen West), gala February 11 at Second City (56 Blue Jays). 416-481-1838, 416-343-0011.
Stage surprises
The Six Stages Festival offers cutting-edge theatre from around the world. Maple-leaf offerings are DNA Theatre’s Paula And Karl, Camyar Chai’s I Am Your Spy, about imprisoned nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu, and a remount of Linda Griffiths’ Alien Creature. Visitors include Australian William Yang’s Blood Links and Brit Ken Campbell’s History Of Comedy, Part One: Ventriloquism. Opens February 1 and runs to February 11 at various venues. 416-504-7529.
