Feb 22, 2024
Louise Pitre on performing in The Inheritance
In conversation with Louise Pitre on returning to the Bluma stage, performing in The Inheritance, and more.
There are lots of options online for theatre and dance lovers who want to discover works from some of the world’s greatest artists. Here are some recommendations from my own searching and viewing. Hope you enjoy!
Robert Wilson
Since the late 1960s, Robert Wilson has created some of the most iconic productions of the last 50 years. He is a true visionary. With Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Wilson turns his sharp eye to the Bard. Performed by members of the Berliner Ensemble and set to score composed by Rufus Wainwright, this work brings to life 25 of Shakespeare’s finest sonnets - in German, but still compelling even if you can’t speak the language. Watch Here »
Samuel Beckett by Peter Brook
Beckett is perhaps one of the more fitting playwrights for us to be reckoning with right now. This 2015 production has legendary director Peter Brook tackle five of Beckett’s masterpieces: Rough for Theatre I, Rockaby, Neither, Come and Go and Act Without Words II. They are expertly performed and are as funny, chilling, and truthful as ever. Watch Samuel Becket by Peter Brook Here »
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre
Founded by renowned choreographer Lin Hwai-min in 1973 and based in Taiwan, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is one of the longest-running contemporary dance companies in Asia. Songs of the Wanderers is a visually stunning work about spiritual pilgrimage that uses 3½ tons of rice (!!). Watch Cloud Gate Dance Theatre Here »
Hofesh Shechter Company
Canadian Stage audiences are familiar with Shechter’s work, with us having presented his works Political Mother and Grand Finale in recent years. Clowns is a 30-minute film version of a longer piece of work originally made for the stage in 2016. Directed by Shechter, the movie takes full advantage of the medium to add impact to his visceral choreography. It’s a masterful work both of dance and cinema. Watch Hofesh Shechter Company Here »
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
I’m looking forward to watching Lazarus by this seminal NYC company. Created in 2018, Lazarus is Alvin Ailey’s first two-act ballet in its 60-year history. Choreographed by acclaimed hip-hop artist Rennie Harris, the work takes inspiration from the life and times of the company’s founder, Ailey, who was pioneer in both modern dance and civil rights. Lazarus will be available on the company’s website for a limited time only (April 16-19, 2020). Watch Alvin Ailey Americ Dance Theatre Here »
Bonus Pick
My absolute favourite film ABOUT the theatre is available online for free! Molière, directed by Théâtre du Soleil’s Ariane Mnouchkine, is an exquisite biopic of the great French satirist. It is a stunning and insightful tribute to the theatre and one of comedy’s greatest and most irreverent geniuses. Truly unforgettable. Unfortunately, the film is in French only. Watch Bonus Pick Here »
Brendan Healy is the Artistic Director at Canadian Stage.
