Theatre Review: Odysseo

Odysseo by Cavalia is a theatrical spectacle featuring equestrian arts and daring acrobatics that are visually stunning. Over 70 majestic horses grace the stage along with extraordinary performers underneath The White Big Top. As I settled into my seat, I had an inkling of what to expect and as a lover of horses, I was keener than ever to see the creatures up close. However, I could never have imagined the stunts, tricks and enthralling imagery I was about to take in. 

The story unfolds with humans interacting with horses that take them on an epic journey throughout the world. After the opening scene, which features a three-dimensional enchanted forest that comes alive with horses galloping full speed on the stage, I knew I was witnessing something completely unique and special. From green pastures to mystical sand dunes, the horses lead the way as they encounter energetic and enthusiastic people around the globe. 

Rich imagery unfolds and live melodic music plays to delight the senses. Images of vast landscapes are projected on a screen that is three times the size of an IMAX theatre screen; it's big, bold and beautiful. The international cast of both horses and humans take us on a dreamlike voyage where anything is possible

One of the most vivid scenes, is that of a revolving carousel with horses encircling it. Acrobats dangle precariously from long, narrow poles as they contort their bodies and gracefully swing from them. The daring partner work is romantic, ethereal and breathtaking. 

I am in sheer awe of equestrian director and choreographer, Benjamin Aillaud. His vision is boundless and with Odysseo, he has created poetry in motion. The larger than life production takes us through a magical forest, rolling hills and a lake where horses trot gracefully to music as they splash about. Although the show is choreographed, there are elements of unpredictability and improvisation with the horses, as instead of trotting off stage, they would rather roll about on it. 

Odysseo is a great spectacle that captivates audiences every night. Go on a mystical journey with Odysseo and have the ride of your life!

Artistic direction: Norman Latourelle
Direction: Wayne Fowkes
Equestrian direction and choreography: Benjamin Aillaud
Set design: Guillame Lord
Odysseo runs at The White Big Top, 383 Lakeshore Bldv East until May 31, 2015.

Photos by: François Bergeron, Color-ish Company and Shelley Paulson.

The Gladstone Hotel's Grow Op 2015 Exhibition

I am a city girl at heart, but there are days when I long to run free in the backyard of my childhood home, which overlooked serene Lake Ontario. I also recall peering out through the window in the living room to watch my parents beautify the front yard with their gardening skills. I never quite picked up their knack for gardening, but they have imbued in me a great appreciation for nature.

Earth Day provides the perfect opportunity to take in the natural beauty that surrougnds us. To celebrate, I attended a preview of The Gladstone Hotel's Grow Op exhibition of landscape, urbanism and contemporary art. Spanning four days, the culture of landscape themed exhibition showcases 17 garden and art installations. Curators Victoria Taylor and Graham Teeple both spoke about the importance of engaging in dialogue regarding contemporary urban spaces, sustainability and functionality. I enjoyed viewing the unique art installations and talking to the artists about their work.

Claire Kurtin, Nadia Pulez and Ramin Yamin are students from the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. Their visually stunning, labour intensive work, Flore Synthetica is made up of artificial mylar flowers and juxtaposed with a sweet, floral scent. I spoke with Yamin, who told me that the installation aims to evoke a memory in the viewer, as the scent of smell is most closely linked with memory, more so than any other sense. 

I was deeply affected by a conversation about life and death that I had with artist, Rebecca Jane Houston. Her kinetic building blocks made from reclaimed wood celebrates creativity from what was once discarded debris. In her work, Cut Twice, she painstakingly carved each and every block by hand, linking them together and breathing new life into them.

One of the most innovative installations is the cleverly named Herbal Teable. Imagine a coffee (or tea) table that grows its own herbs! Paul Chartrand designed and built a hydroponic garden table that can be used indoors. He draws inspiration from tea drinking and plant growth. Forget coffee table books; the Herbal Teable is a conversation piece in and of itself. 

Adrienne Hall's immersive installation entitled In Place of a Forest brings an unseen forest to the city. I experienced the earthy smell of the forest and could feel the pine needles as they gently grazed my cheek. I could also hear the sounds of the forest in complete darkness. 

The Emerald Ash Forest exhibit creates awareness of the threat of the emerald ash borer, a beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. Here we see amputated trees that have been affected by the pests. Architects Sandrina Dumitrascu and Clara Romero seek to start a conversation surrounding threats to urban forests. 

In Julie Bogdanowicz's piece, Mounds At Work, what looks like a seemingly ordinary, grassy mound is anything but. In some rural areas with impenetrable soil, every house sits atop a mound, which acts as a septic system that functions above ground. 

As a downtown dweller, finding green spaces are few and far between. The Grow Op exhibit aims to connect viewers with nature and art and also fosters important discourse regarding novel ideas for our urban environment.

To learn more about Grop Op 2015, visit: http://www.gladstonehotel.com/spaces/gladstone-grow-op/
Dates: Thursday, April 23 - Sunday, April 26, 2015
Hours: Thurs. 11 am - 8 pm, Friday 11 am - 10 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
Venue: 2nd Floor Gallery and Public Spaces Throughout Hotel
Admission: $10

Theatre Review: Dame Edna’s Glorious Goodbye - The Farewell Tour

The incomparable Dame Edna Everage returns to Toronto to bid her final farewell. Unmistakable in her signature cat eye frames and lilac hair, she dominates the stage with her sassiness and quick witted humour. Dame Edna is played by the legendary Barry Humphries who created the colourful icon in the 1950s and has been entertaining audiences the world over. With a career spanning over 60 years, Dame Edna has decided it is time to say goodbye to her precious "possums" (whom she fondly refers to as her fans) and does so in glamorously flamboyant fashion. 

The comedienne bursts onto the stage in a song and dance number with her backup dancers and pianist. She surveys the audience in the first few rows and pokes fun at a few of them for the duration of the show. While she berates them on their physical appearances, their homes and their professions, the rest of us roar with laughter. "You are an incredibly attractive lady...well, compared to the woman beside you, anyway," she tells an incredulous young woman. Some of us chuckle quite guiltily, but we know it is all in good old fashioned fun and it is easy to forgive an over the top 81-year-old who has us wrapped around her not so little perfectly manicured finger for two and a half hours. 

Dame Edna delivers her harmless, sardonic jabs with impeccable comedic timing without missing a beat. While she is old enough to be my grandmother, she possesses the physicality of a 20-year-oldathlete in fine form. If comedy was an Olympic sport, Dame Edna would be decked out in gold.  

In the second act of Dame Edna's theatrical spectacle, she informs us that she has just returned from India, where she had retreated to an ashram to escape the public eye. There she meets O.J. Simpson and Bill Cosby, the latter of whom offers to fix her a drink. With her newfound spirituality and wisdom, she officiates a wedding between two unsuspecting audience members, but not before adorning the bride in a colourful veil and the groom in an Indian turban. The whimsical wedding makes for great fun, as the embarrassed "couple" hesitantly answers Dame Edna's probing personal questions.  

With audacious one liners and non-stop laughs, you will be glad (while you wave your gladiola) that you had the privilege of Dame Edna Everage gracing you with her honourable presence.  

Starring Barry Humphries
Directed by Simon Phillips
Dame Edna plays at the Princess of Wales Theatre until April 19, 2015.

The Yoga Conference & Show

Getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life in Toronto can take its toll on your mind and body. Learning yoga and practicing meditation are two of the most effective ways to de-stress. Relax and rejuvenate your body and soul at The Yoga Conference and Show this weekend. Participate in over 60 hours of yoga, cultural arts and lectures. Spend time shopping among 250+ conscious minded organizations and companies offering products and services in line with your mindful attitudes.

To gain complimentary access to The Yoga Conference and Show, click on the following link and register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2015-toronto-yoga-show-tickets-15609054101?discount=MRPExclusive
A special thanks goes out to Marie Roberge-Pellerin for the complimentary tickets. 

Namaste

Dates & Hours:
Friday, April 10, 2015 • 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 11, 2015 • 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 12, 2015 • 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Location:
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building 
255 Front Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2W6

To learn more about the Yoga Conference & Show, visit: theyogaconference.com/toronto
Twitter: @YogaConference
Facebook: facebook.com/TheYogaConference