Tag: theatre

The Rocky Horror Show: A Wild, Fearless, and Fabulous Ride.

by Richard Young

Reviewed by The Beat Magazine’s Jo-Anne Bishop.

(Pictured: Shaidon Woods in full costume and makeup as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and other cast members in The Rocky Horror Show. Photo Credit: Ross Davidson)

The Infuse Productions/Palace Theatre co-production of The Rocky Horror Show is a bold, electrifying spectacle that bursts with energy, confidence, and campy fun from start to finish. Under the inspired direction of Mel Stewart (in her directorial debut, no less) the show hits every outrageous note with style and precision. Stewart’s leadership brings cohesion to the chaos, celebrating the spirit of the cult classic while adding a fresh, local flair that absolutely dazzles.

The choreography throughout is nothing short of outstanding. Crisp, creative, and packed with personality. Every movement feels deliberate and dynamic, perfectly suited to the show’s eccentric energy.

David Long’s minimalist set design is both practical and imaginative. Built to accommodate a live band on stage, it provides the perfect backdrop without ever detracting from the vibrant costumes or the incredible performances that command the audience’s attention.

(Pictured: Betamaxx)

The live band, Betamaxx, deserves special mention. Their tight, polished sound drives the entire show with precision and power. Every cue lands perfectly, every riff energizes the room. Positioned on stage, they manage to be a visible part of the world without ever intruding on the action, which is a testament to both their musicianship and the thoughtful staging.

(Pictured: The Rocky Horror Show Cast Members. Photo Credit: Ross Davidson)

Casting for this production is simply spot-on. Each performer seems born for their role. Shaidon Woods (Frank N. Furter) and Brendon Ainscow (Rocky) lead spectacularly, heating up the theatre with their charisma and—let’s call a spade a spade—incredibly toned physiques.

(Pictured: Jared Brown as Brad and McKenna Langdon as Janet. Photo Credit: Ross Davidson)

Jared Brown (Brad), McKenna Langdon (Janet), Sarah Dennison (Columbia), Aidan Coutts (Riff Raff), and Jenn Marino (Magenta) all deliver outstanding performances, with vocal talent well above typical community theatre calibre. Their voices soar. Sometimes sultry, sometimes raw, always captivating. And of course, the chorus rounds out the cast wonderfully, never missing a beat.

(Pictured: Jenn Marino as Magenta. Photo Credit: Ross Davidson)

Part of what makes The Rocky Horror Show such an unforgettable experience is its infamous audience participation. At the Palace, this tradition is embraced wholeheartedly. It’s wild, raucous, and loud—perhaps too loud for some tastes—but it’s an essential part of the cult phenomenon. As one audience member aptly shouted, “It’s just a jump to the left!” Indeed, the crowd is as much a part of the show as the cast.

At times, Jeff Werkmeister’s performance as the Narrator was momentarily drowned out by the audience’s enthusiasm, but he handled it with wit and ease, working the crowd masterfully and keeping the energy high. His effortless breaking of the fourth wall mirrored Frank N. Furter’s gleeful command of the same device, pulling the audience ever deeper into the madness.

(Pictured: Jeff Werkmeister as The Narrator. Photo Credit: Ross Davidson)

The bravery of the cast cannot go unmentioned. This is a show that demands vulnerability, often performed in little more than underwear, yet the actors deliver with total confidence. Their comfort and commitment make their performances all the more believable, powerful, and liberating to watch.

Overall, The Rocky Horror Show at the Palace Theatre is a fantastic, fearless production that’s both outrageous and artful. It’s community theatre at its most daring, bursting with talent, energy, and unapologetic fun. Whether you’re a longtime “Rocky” fan or a first-timer, you’re in for a wild ride. And a word of advice, if you’re a newcomer: wear pearls—you may need to clutch them.

If You Go:

What: The Rocky Horror Show
Where: Palace Theatre Arts Commons, 710 Dundas St, London, Ontario
When: Thursday, October 30 – 7:30 pm, Friday, October 31 – 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 1 – 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, Sunday, November 2 – 2:00 pm
Tickets: Palace Theatre Arts Commons | London ON Community Theatre
Adults: $38 – Deluxe ticket with party supplies – $43
Students/Seniors (55+): $36 – Deluxe ticket with party supplies – $41
Youth (under 18): $23 – Deluxe ticket with party supplies – $28

For more information about Infuse Productions, visit https://www.infuseldn.ca/infuse-productions

For more information about the Palace Theatre, visit https://palacetheatre.ca/

Reviewed by Jo-Anne Bishop.

This Week in London and Area Arts & Culture, October 13-19: Selected Events.

by Richard Young

What follows are some selections from the many Arts & Culture events taking place this week in the London area. Check back for more updates throughout the week.

5th annual honour & harmony fundraiser for atlohsa, oct. 18.

Join Leanne Mayer, Big Lou, and Alex Cooper for an unforgettable night of music and fundraising in support of Atlohsa, a local Indigenous nonprofit organization.
Now in its fifth year, this annual event brings the community together to celebrate music, culture, and retribution.

Come be a part of the movement—support Indigenous-led healing and social change.

coquest art festival and community forum, oct. 15-19.

CoQuest brings together 50+ contributors, including artists, artisans, community organizers, singer-songwriters, and more. 

Full details and advanced tickets can be purchased at https://linktr.ee/corduroy.earth?fbclid=IwY2xjawNbN1tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5M3dyN2tLYW9xWW43TmNQAR5URmdU9WN0fWWMnOZjcRT4pgcazEgg3SkbcD1WK5WKkkytr7U21RPRS48egw_aem_7QZJ7hgLqzupVbS72B3gbg

anne moniz and Daniel Oniszeczko, oct. 16, at the richmond tavern.

Something a little different this Thursday, Oct 16th- from 6-8pm. Bev Camp, Daniel Oniszeczko, and Anne Moniz will be the special guests of a fabulous showcase hosted by @tamikegley at The Richmond. This is a Pay-What-You-Can event.

this week at the aeolian.

The Jeffery Concerts presents a program of Baroque and Early Classical music, October 19, at the Metropolitan Church.

Read our Preview at https://thebeatmagazine2025.ca/2025/10/13/the-jeffery-concerts-continue-the-2025-26-season-with-a-program-of-baroque-and-early-classical-music-october-19-at-the-metropolitan-church/

this week at the london public library.

fanshawe pioneer village presents Return to the Abandoned Village, oct. 16-19.

This Halloween… the past comes back to haunt you. Fanshawe Pioneer Village and ByronScaryHouse Productions dare you to enter… Return to the Abandoned Village. This isn’t a haunted house…It’s a haunted Village. Five buildings transformed into nightmares – one unforgettable walk through fear.

The Abandoned Village is a 14+ event, and many nights do sell out.
Why wait? Get your tickets now … if you dare.

For ticket purchase and more info visit https://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca/…/the-abandoned

mavis productions the rocky horror show continues until oct. 18 at the wolf performance hall.

Mavis Productions does the time warp again into their 4TH ANNUAL TRADITION!

The Rocky Horror Show returns to London to celebrate 50 years of the film you love, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW!

In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”

Filled with all the classic songs and audience participation that made the film so much fun for over 50 years, all of it comes to life on the stage. So bring your costumes and all your scripts and be ready for a night of absolute pleasure. Whether you come out for our 2 pm afternoon shows, our classic 7 pm shows, or our returning MIDNIGHT PERFORMANCES, we know you will shiver with antici…pation!!

For more information, visit https://mavisproductions.ca/

tom dunphy’s classic country music show returns to the richmond tavern, oct. 18.

st. marys community players present norm foster’s hilda’s Yard, oct. 16 – nov. 2.

For more information, visit https://www.stmaryscommunityplayers.ca/

the grand theatre presents the play that goes wrong, oct. 14 – nov. 2.

Read our Preview at https://thebeatmagazine2025.ca/2025/10/08/the-play-that-goes-wrong-opens-2025-26-season-at-the-grand-theatre/

Check back for more updates throughout the week.

Mavis Productions returns with London’s favorite annual Rocky Horror Show tradition. 

by Richard Young

The Rocky Horror Show LIVE musical returns to London to celebrate 50 years of the film you love, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.

The show opens on Thursday, October 9, and runs through October 18 at the Wolf Performance Hall.

For four incredible years, Mavis Productions has made this moment an October tradition — a night when audiences throw the rules out the window, shout every line, and become part of something bigger than a show.

It’s not just a performance — it’s a celebration.

The music. The madness. The magic.

Every beat, every laugh, every sparkle of glitter is pure Rocky Horror energy. This is your call to let go, dress up, and feel alive.

Because this isn’t just theatre… this is Rocky Horror. Don’t dream it — BE IT.

In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”

Filled with all the classic songs and audience participation that made the film so much fun for over 50 years, all of it comes to life on the stage. So bring your costumes and all your scripts and be ready for a night of absolute pleasure. Whether you come out for our new 2 pm afternoon shows, our classic 7 pm shows, or midnight shows, we know you will shiver with antici…pation!!

If You Go:

What: Mavis Productions presents The Rocky Horror Show 50th Anniversary

When: October 9 – October 18.

Where: Wolf Performance Hall, 251 Dundas St., London, ON

Tickets: Start at $20. https://mavisproductions.ticketspice.com/rockyhorrorlondon

To learn more about Mavis Productions and its other shows, visit The Beat Magazine 2025 Q&A Profile https://thebeatmagazine2025.ca/2025/09/22/introducing-mavis-productions-an-interview-with-chase-montgomery/

ITOPA kicks off its 2025/2026 season with Michael G. Wilmot’s 7-10 Split. 

by Richard Young

by Emily Stewart / Woodstock Ingersoll Echo

(Go to ITOPA’s Facebook Page to take advantage of this offer https://www.facebook.com/ingersolltheatre)

After putting 7-10 Split and bowling paraphernalia on the back burner for half a decade, the Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts (ITOPA) is finally ready to bring the comedy to the stage. 

The Canadian comedy will run from Oct. 10 to 19. The play focuses on Earl, a former professional bowler constantly in get-rich-quick schemes, and the shenanigans that follow with one particular Internet offer from a wealthy prince claiming he can save Earl’s fortune.

(Pictured: Earl – Adam Tanton. Photo Credit: Brian Tanton)

“If you need a night of absolute laughter and hilarity, this is the show to see,” said director Rebecca McNall. “We are running it in the style of trailer-trash, and it’s just going to be non-stop gags, non-stop hilarious lines. And the cast, you couldn’t ask for a better cast of characters to fill the roles. They just fall into the roles just like it was them. It’s just so good, I love it.” 

The cast includes husband and wife Adam and Becky Tanton, longtime ITOPA performer Crystal Paul, and newcomer Nick Shua. The performance takes place inside the living room of a trailer, and the set dimensions are the same as a house trailer’s living room.

“It’s even more of a challenge, which is fun, to get the blocking and to get them so they’re not just sitting still for the whole thing, so it’s going to be a ball. It’s going to be so much fun,” said McNall, who is thrilled to finally bring the play to the stage. 

ITOPA was to present the play in 2020, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions.

“We’ve had bowling balls and bowling trophies hidden around the theatre for five years because we didn’t want to throw them out because we knew that eventually, 7-10 Split would go on stage, so it feels so great to start bringing everything out,” she said. “It’s awesome.” 

The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. for evening performances and 2 p.m. for matinee performances. Tickets are $26 for adults, $24 for seniors, $22 for students 12 years old and older, and $10 for students under 12 years old. Every Thursday performance for the 2025/2026 season will have $10 tickets for all seats. 

To purchase tickets, either visit the box office on 88 Thames St., call 519-485-3070, or visit online via www.itopa.ca.

Note: This Review first appeared in the Ingersoll Woodstock Echo, and it is reprinted with the permission of the author and the newspaper. https://www.granthaven.com/woodstock-ingersoll-echo

Check out the Q&A Profile of the Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts (ITOPA) elsewhere on The Beat Magazine 2025 website https://thebeatmagazine2025.ca/2025/09/15/introducing-ingersoll-theatre-of-performing-arts-itopa/

The Play That Goes Wrong opens 2025/26 Season at the Grand Theatre

by Richard Young

Media Release, October 7, 2025

The hilarious smash-hit on Broadway and in the UK, The Play That Goes Wrong, arrives with a bang at the Grand Theatre and is already extended due to popular demand before even hitting the stage.

Dennis Garnhum, former Grand Theatre Artistic Director, is set to direct the production with a crack-up company of actors and artists that have already packed theatres throughout Western Canada. The red-carpet opening night of The Play That Goes Wrong on Friday, October 17th, officially marks the beginning of the Grand Theatre’s 2025/26 Season: You Are Here, the highly anticipated second season in the hands of Grand Theatre Artistic Director Rachel Peake. 

“Whether it’s the magical kingdom of Arendelle, magic realism, or the magical power of community, so much of our 2025/26 season at the Grand is about the magic of theatre. The Play That Goes Wrong is a love letter to just that,” shares Peake. “This show has more tricks in it than any other show. And yet, what makes it so funny and delicious and appealing is not so much those outstanding effects, but instead the very human drive to go on with the show.”

(Pictured: The Grand Theatre’s Artistic Director, Rachel Peake)

The Play is a play about a play – and that play within the play goes terribly, horribly, hysterically wrong every single night, live on stage. If you work in the theatre, it’s your nightmare on repeat. If you’re in the audience, you’re in for the laugh of a lifetime. 

“If the cast and crew let the problems stop the show and sent us all home, it would be a tragedy. But they don’t. The show goes on, and they make it through. When I first read this play, I cheered for these characters from beginning to end,” shares Garnhum. “I know these people. I love these people. They are my hard-working colleagues, whom I’ve been around my entire life. Their passion is contagious, and the play within the play, The Murder at Haversham Manor, goes down as a triumph simply because they saw it through and never give up despite the world figuratively – perhaps literally, definitely hilariously – tumbling down around them.”

Director Dennis Garnhum talks about The Play That Goes Wrong at the Grand Theatre in this video clip. https://youtu.be/Swo0-W53lCI?si=ly9PzOQh5ZbbzdKw

Even as audience members are finding their seats, the cast is already in character and buzzing throughout the theatre, frantic about the opening night of Murder at Haversham Manor. It’s 1922, and the very fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is everything except prepared.

(Pictured: Photo by Nanc Price for The Citadel Theatre’s production of The Play That Goes
Wrong (2024), in partnership with Theatre Calgary and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre,
featuring Vanessa Leticia Jetté and Honey Pha)

Alexander Ariate plays Jonathan (who plays Charles Haversham), Izad Etemadi and Emily Meadows play Stage Crew (who play Stage Crew), Vanessa Leticia Jetté plays Sandra (who plays ‘Florence Colleymoore’), Andrew MacDonald-Smith plays Max (who plays ‘Cecil Haversham’ as well as ‘Arthur’), Jawon Mapp plays Robert (who plays ‘Thomas Colleymoore’), Bernardo Pacheco plays Trevor (Cornley Polytechnic’s lighting and sound operator), Honey Pham plays Annie (Cornley’s stage manager but also sometimes plays ‘Florence Colleymoore’ whether Sandra likes it or not), John Ullyatt plays Dennis (who plays ‘Perkins’), and Daniela Vlaskalic plays Krista (who directs the play within the play, and also plays ‘Inspector Carter’). Got that? Good! 

(Pictured: Photo by Nanc Price for The Citadel Theatre’s production of The Play That Goes
Wrong (2024), in partnership with Theatre Calgary and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre,
featuring Andrew MacDonald-Smith, Joel Schaefer, Vanessa Leticia Jetté, and Daniela
Vlaskalic)

This Olivier Award-winning comedy offers a hilarious glimpse into the absolute worst-case scenarios that can unfold in the world of theatre. Premiering in 2012 in the UK, it went on to run over 745 performances on Broadway. Garnhum has helmed the production at the Citadel Theatre (Edmonton), Theatre Calgary, and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg), and now plans to unleash its chaos in London at the Grand.

Garnhum is joined by Fight & Movement Director Morgan Yamada, Set Designer Beyata Hackborn, Costume Designer Joseph Abetria, Lighting Designer Kimberly Purtell, Sound Designer Dave Pierce, with Donovan Siedle, and Stage Manager Jordan Guetter.

If You Go:

What: The Play That Goes Wrong

Where: On the Spriet Stage, The Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond Street, London, ON

When: October 14 to November 2

Tickets: Single tickets range from $25 to $97 and are available at grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519.672.8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. 

For more information about The Grand Theatre’s 2025/26 Season, visit https://www.grandtheatre.com/

This Week in London and Area Arts & Culture, October 6 – 12.

by Richard Young

Mavis Productions presents the rocky horror show, oct. 9-18.

Mavis Productions does the time warp again into their 4TH ANNUAL TRADITION!

The Rocky Horror Show returns to London to celebrate 50 years of the film you love, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW!

In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”

Filled with all the classic songs and audience participation that made the film so much fun for over 50 years, all of it comes to life on the stage. So bring your costumes and all your scripts and be ready for a night of absolute pleasure. Whether you come out for our 2 pm afternoon shows, our classic 7 pm shows, or our returning MIDNIGHT PERFORMANCES, we know you will shiver with antici…pation!!

For more information, visit https://mavisproductions.ca/

Ingersoll theatre of Performing Arts presents 7-10 Split, oct. 10 – 19.

Strike up some laughs with 7-10 Split by Michael G. Wilmot!

When wild ideas, big personalities, and a few gutter balls collide, you’ve got a comedy that’s guaranteed to keep you laughing from the first frame to the last. Don’t miss this community theatre gem that’s all about friendship, fun, and the unexpected turns life throws our way.

Show Dates: October 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2025.

For more information and tickets, visit https://www.itopa.ca/

shut the door improv presents the wurst brats, oct. 7.

Join us Tuesday, October 7th, for the debut of The Wurst Brats, the newest STFD Masterclass graduates hitting the stage for the very first time! 🌭💥

These fresh improv talents are bringing the heat with an hour of juicy, short-form comedy that’s guaranteed to have you rolling.

From the Shut The Front Door Improv Masterclass Program, this is your chance to catch the next generation of performers serving up live, unscripted hilarity right before your eyes.

Don’t miss it, come out for live laughs and support local improv!

Get tickets https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1754223582959?aff=oddtdtcreator

this week at the eastside bar & grill.

october events at the dawghouse.

monday night trivia at the morrissey house, oct. 6.

westland gallery, the roots of wisdom, continues until oct. 25.

This exhibition is a must-see in person. New landscapes and wildlife paintings by these two incredible artists will be on display until October 25th! Preview the full exhibition today at www.westlandgallery.ca.

this week at the london public library.

scoring the silence: composing a new score for a silent thriller, oct. 8 at the palace theatre.

Presented by the YAPCA (Young Artists Pre-College Academy)

Scoring the Silence: Composing a New Score for a Silent Thriller

Experience the art of silent cinema re-imagined through powerful new music.

Join acclaimed composer and conductor Scott Good as he shares the creative process behind his two-hour original score for the 1924 silent horror classic The Hands of Orlac (to be performed in full on October 31 at 8:30 PM at Metropolitan United).

Featuring recorded film excerpts on the big screen and live performances by YAPCA faculty and students, this engaging session offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of film, music, and imagination.

The event also includes the world premiere of The Somnambulist (The Sleepwalker) — a haunting new work composed especially for this occasion.

Perfect for music lovers, film fans and the culturally curious alike.

This public event will run from 6:00-7:00 – doors 5:50 

For more information, visit https://palacetheatre.ca/shows-events-listing/

this week at the aeolian

https://aeolianhall.ca/

Introducing Theatre Tillsonburg

by Richard Young

This is the twenty-second in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile Theatre Tillsonburg.

Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why? 

Theatre Tillsonburg was founded in 1981 by the following people: Tom Heeney, Dennis Noonan, Laurel Beechey, Peter Beechey, Darlene Murray, and Lorne Boyd.

This group of people came together to create a local theatre group with a Board of Directors, a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers with no paid staff, dedicated to crafting good, wholesome entertainment. The first shows were presented in the local community centre, until the spring of 1990, when the current building was purchased. Numerous renovations were required to transform the former Hungarian Hall into the theatre it is today. Once the building was purchased, the group wanted to distinguish between the group and the building, so a contest was held to name the building. The winning name was The Otter Valley Playhouse, and the person who chose the name received a lifetime supply of theatre tickets, which she continues to use today.

Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both? 

Theatre Tillsonburg is a not-for-profit community theatre.

Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?

All Theatre Tillsonburg shows are staged in the Otter Valley Playhouse.

Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose? 

The Mission of the theatre shall be to provide a creative outlet and venue for quality entertainment and opportunities for education in areas of theatre craft for members and the surrounding community.

The Purpose of the theatre is to:

  • Promote and develop amateur theatre in Tillsonburg and surrounding communities.
  • Provide the community with a year-round schedule of live theatre to enrich the cultural life and serve the entertainment needs of the community.
  • Welcome and provide a vocational opportunity for all volunteers interested in the theatre arts to participate in the many activities of community theatre.
  • Assist other dramatic and cultural groups in the community, as well as cooperate with other theatres within and beyond our community.
  • Accept gifts, bequests, donations, and legacies, and expend all monies received to promote the Theatre and its objectives.
  • Maintain in a safe and functional manner and provide improvements to the building owned by the theatre.
  • Remain an amateur and not-for-profit organization.

Q. Does your company have a Board and paid staff?

We have a Board of Directors, and there are no permanent paid staff members.

Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?

Our 25/26 season consists of the following three plays:

Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – November 20-30, 2025

Hilda’s Yard – February 18-March 1, 2026

Having Hope at Home – May 28 – June 7, 2026.

It is a season for everyone. We also run a summer camp for children.

Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Could you tell me a little bit about each?

Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is a festive comedy full of mischief, music, and holiday magic! A mouse, an elf, and a spunky young girl team up to help Santa save Christmas in this wildly entertaining holiday adventure. Packed with clever wordplay, wild characters, and heartwarming cheer, it’s the perfect outing for the whole family.

Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?

We have had patrons and cast members come from London, and we are thrilled to be part of an integrated community theatre experience.

For more information about Theatre Tillsonburg, visit https://www.theatretillsonburg.com/

Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theatretillsonburg

Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theatretillsonburg/

Introducing Theatre Aezir: Q&A with Elizabeth Durand.

by Richard Young

This is the twenty-first in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Elizabeth Durand, co-founder and Artistic Director of Theatre Aezir.

Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why? 

Theatre Aezir was co-founded in 2017 by Elizabeth Durand, David Bogaert, Rob Deman, and Olaf Plotzke. Our last show before COVID in 2019 was Falling: A Wake. When Theatre Aezir came back in 2023, I was the remaining co-founder, and I decided to change the company into a professional company. We became a non-profit and a registered charity in 2024.

Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both? 

We are a professional company and registered charity with a mandate to expand our services into educating actors and theatrical professionals.

Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions? 

Theatre Aezir is a theatre production company without a home theatre, so we use various spaces based on the needs of the play. We have used the Auburn Developments Stage, Procunier Hall, outdoors at the Guy Lombardo Pavilion, and the gym at First Baptist Church. 

Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose? 

Theatre Aezir is a professional live theatre production company located in London, Ontario, and serves London and the surrounding counties. Positioned between the region’s large-scale productions and mid-sized community theatre, Theatre Aezir fills a vital gap in London’s theatre scene. We are theatre artists committed to presenting audiences with a diverse selection of engaging and thought-provoking performances by playwrights from across the city, the nation, and around the world.  

Theatre Aezir’s Motto is “Theatre that makes you think.” Our mission is to create theatre that challenges the intellect, excites emotion, and confronts the present. Quirky, edgy, and provocative.

(Pictured: Theatre Aezir co-founder and Artistic Director, Elizabeth Durand.)

Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff? 

Yes, we have a Board of Directors and paid part-time staff.

Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme? 

At this time, we are still planning 2026.

Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each. 

Coming This Fall: Disastrous Dates. Delightful Theatre. Serious Training.
This Fall, it’s Dating Games — and it’s not just a show.

This November, Theatre Aezir invites you to laugh (and cringe) your way through Dating Games by Garth Wingfield — a night of five hilariously awful dates, brought to life by some of the most promising emerging talent in London.

But here’s the twist: Dating Games is more than just a comedy. It’s also a hands-on, full-throttle training initiative for the next generation of theatre professionals.

Early-career directors will be responsible for a short play, supported every step of the way by an experienced mentor.

Ten+ local actors will dive into an intensive week-long skills workshop in breathing work, vocal production, diction, and character analysis — the kind of rigorous, pro-level training that usually only happens behind conservatory doors.

Our design team — including professional lighting, sound, and stage management — will bring their A-game.

Performances: November 6–16, 2025, evenings at 8:00pm, matinees at 4:00pm
First Baptist Church, 568 Richmond Street. 

Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it? 

London needs another venue for independent theatre companies. If London had another space that was technically adequate and reasonably priced, more production companies would create more theatre.

For more information about Theatre Aezir, visit https://theatreaezir.com/

Follow Theatre Aezir on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.568444074983017&type=3

Follow Theatre Aezir on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theatreaezir/

Introducing Shrew’d Business

by Richard Young

This is the twenty-first in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile Shrew’d Business.

Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why? 

We founded Shrew’d Business in 1998. Brian “Brock” Brockenshire and I were the Artistic Directors of the original Renaissance Festival in Ontario. That year, we were thinking of ways that we could use our skills outside of our regular theatre commitments and possibly develop some workshops/performances. We edited down Taming of the Shrew to be only Kate and Petruchio, and we performed that at the Renaissance Festival each weekend. We also performed it at the Parent Festival in Maryland later that summer. From that, we took the name to become Shrew’d Business. 

(Pictured: Ceris Thomas, co-founder of Shrew’d Business.)

Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both? 

We can fit in either category. We do a large amount of work in the community theatre scene and in high school in and around London, but since Brock is an Equity member, he has also done work with professional companies. Specifically, he has done nineteen shows for the Lighthouse Festival. Usually, one a season, depending upon pandemic influences, and it is due to them that we have a naval cannon in our home that we can fire for the trick-or-treaters on Hallowe’en.

Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions? 

We have staged two Fringe productions, The Fantasticks and [They Fight!]. These were both in the Spriet Theatre in the Covent Market Building. We also staged The Seafarer at TAP in 2016. We plan to remount that show in 2026.

(Pictured: Brian “Brock” Brockenshire, co-founder of Shrew’d Business.)

Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose? 

We provide quality training for violence on stage. We do more than just violence of course, but that is our main focus. We have been instrumental in several exciting productions for Londo Community Players, Original Kids Theatre Company and Musical Theatre Productions, as well as multiple productions in high schools, and smaller community groups. We rent equipment and have accessed specialty items for specific shows. We are licensed pyrotechnicians, so we have helped shows like You Can’t Take it With You to blow up things on stage. 

Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff? 

We only have four company members, so we do not require a Board. Our members are paid for many productions, as violence is not something you should leave to the untrained. Depending upon the budget of the show, we can usually come up with a reasonable fee. It is more important to us that a show be safe than incredibly lucrative. 

Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme? 

We don’t have any specific productions for our company this year, but we are helping with Deathtrap, Urinetown, Misery, and The Three Musketeers for other companies.

(Pictured: Apprentice Fight Director Kerry Hishon.)

Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it? 

We moved to London from Toronto in 2005. The intention was for Shrew’d Business to be able to help a variety of productions and members of shows grow in their experience and training for dangerous stage movement. Even in professional theatre we have witnessed real slaps on stage, and this should never happen. The safety of performers and the comfort of the whole team and audience are paramount in our work. 

Since I have a love of puppets, we have also been charged with building some interesting creations that have been used on a bunch of stages in and around London. Helping a show be the best possible version is always our goal. There are very few cases where we have said “no” to a team. This has only happened when the timeline was too short, the expectations were too high, or the team was deluded about their thoughts for their show. We’d always prefer to be helpful, but there just are sometimes when you know you can’t have your name associated with something, and safety is that line in the sand.

We’ve been working in London theatre for twenty years and many more years before that elsewhere. At some point, we will need to slow down and eventually stop because staging this specialized kind of work is very draining and becomes physically impossible as the body ages. Hopefully, when that time comes, London companies will realize that they will have to either choose shows without violence or hire them elsewhere to keep their productions safe. 

(Apprentice Fight Director, Dustin Didham.)

For more information about Shrew’d Business, visit https://www.shrewdbusiness.com/

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Introducing St. Marys Community Players

by Richard Young

This is the twentieth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile St. Marys Community Players.

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Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why? 

St. Marys Community Players (SMCP) is a vibrant not-for-profit community theatre group that has been illuminating the stage since its inception in 1974. Over the decades, SMCP has blossomed into one of the premier amateur theatres in Southwestern Ontario, captivating audiences with its diverse array of productions, from classic plays to contemporary performances.

Theatre in St. Marys began in the late 1940s with Rev. Parsons’ staging of *The Desert Song*. This production relied on the efforts of over 60 volunteers who created costumes from old drapes, curtains, and sheets, embodying community spirit and resourcefulness.

Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both? 

SMCP is a not-for-profit community theatre

Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions? 

The Town Hall Theatre in St. Marys.

Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose? 

Our Motto: The best in each of us, nourishing all of us. This guiding motto encapsulates the essence of our collective ambition; we believe that theatre is not just an art form but a vital community connector. 

Our Mission transcends merely putting on plays. We strive to offer compelling live theatre productions that engage the broader community on multiple levels—inviting audiences not only to enjoy the performances but also to actively participate in the creative process. At SMCP, we cherish the involvement of community members of all ages and backgrounds. We actively encourage new members to join our ranks, whether they seek the spotlight or prefer the behind-the-scenes magic. Our group thrives on a spirit of creativity and fun, and we are always ready to support your individual interests, whether you aspire to act, direct, or work on technical and production teams, such as lighting, sound, set design, or costume creation.

Join Us: Whether you are a passionate performer, a budding playwright, or someone who simply enjoys the thrill of live theatre, SMCP welcomes you with open arms. By joining our community, you contribute to local culture and help nurture the artistic spirit that fuels our passion for live performances. Together, let’s create unforgettable theatre that leaves a lasting impact on our community.

Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff? 

The nine-member board includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Q. What show will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about it.

Canadian playwright Norm Foster’s comedic play, Hilda’s Yard, directed by Costin Manu and produced by Marie Stevens and Stephen Brockwell. Set in the 1950s, the play follows the Fluck family as they navigate the challenges of everyday life. When their two adult children unexpectedly move back home, Hilda and Sam Fluck are dealing with a full house again. As the family members come to terms with their new living arrangements, they must confront their struggles and relationships. Filled with humour and heart and in typical Norm Foster form, Hilda’s Yard explores the complexities of family dynamics and the enduring bonds that hold them together.

Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it? 

St. Marys Community Players continues to reach out to our local, neighbouring theatres, building relationships and connections, piggybacking on our collective successes and sometimes mistakes. We aim to shift away from the competitive nature of the southwestern Ontario community theatre scene and establish a support group for all local community theatres.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit  https://www.stmaryscommunityplayers.ca/

Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StMarysCommunityPlayers

Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/st.maryscommunityplayers/

(Pictured: St. Marys Town Hall Theatre)