by Erin Sevigny
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
It’s the night before opening night. We call that a Dress Rehearsal. When I left the theatre on Wednesday night, the chairs were not set up, cables were all over the place, we were still waiting for a wardrobe delivery, and I had to stop by the LCBO to get a replacement prop.
But you know by tomorrow night at 7:55pm, everything will be in place, lines will be learned, and the directors can finally breathe. Every time I do this, I ask myself, ‘Why do I do this to myself?’ And the next time I forget what it was like, I just do it again.
Dating Tip: Skip the small talk, go to the theatre. Theatre Aezir presents Dating Games by Garth Wingfield — laughter, romance, and everything in between. Come with a date, come with friends, or come alone and make new ones in the lobby line. Either way, you’ll fall in love with the show.
Dating Games features five short plays, each showcasing a comically terrible first date that goes off the rails. Written by Garth Wingfield, the show’s real focus lies not in the dates themselves, but in the emerging theatre talent directing the plays. This production serves as a groundbreaking training initiative, providing mentorship and performance opportunities for up-and-coming directors.
“Dating Games is a truly special production. It is more than just a show; it’s a project that combines mentorship, training, and performance, contributing to the entire theatrical community,” says Elizabeth Durand, Theatre Aezir’s Artistic Director.
“We are so proud of our Emerging Directors. Our mentors are guiding them, but they hit the road running on all four cylinders. Each of them has a distinct style, but is no less effective. We are sure that after this experience, there will be five new directors ready for their next assignment,” adds Durand.
Check out this short video featuring Cast & Crew members answering the question: “Why should people come see Dating Games? https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CLH8LELj9/
Your support is crucial to fulfill the promise of this project.
If You Go:
What: Theatre Aezir presents Dating Games.
When: November 6th to November 16th
Where: First Baptist Church, 568 Richmond St., London, ON
Tickets: Discount codes are available for seniors, under-30s, and arts workers on Theatre Aezir’s ticketing page: https://events.humanitix.com/dating-games-bad-dates-good-theatre
For more information about Theatre Aezir, visit https://theatreaezir.com/
Read The Beat Magazine’s Profile of Theatre Aezir at https://thebeatmagazine2025.ca/2025/10/02/introducing-theatre-aezir-qa-with-elizabeth-durand/
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The Beat Magazine 2025 