July 1997

  • JC Community calendar joins "What's New?" as a frames-format page. What do you think of it? Thanks to Walter Spicer (a.k.a. JCSA's "Webby") for helping to bring it from a sketch on a kissaten napkin to reality within two weeks!
    (30 July 97)

  • I've been framed!
    (24 July 97)

  • It's been a little over one month since my counters were installed. "Thank you" and "Arigato" to my 100 or so visitors during that time. I hope you all found (and keep finding) something here that you liked or found useful. You're about evenly split between Netscape and Explorer users; I've been aware for a little while that some of the layouts don't look the way they are supposed to when viewed with Explorer, but I didn't know that so many people had contributed to the Bill Gates Retirement Fund! I also recently saw my pages displayed on an oversize screen for the first time, and realized that some of the backgrounds don't work in that setting. Be assured that changes are in the works to address these issues (did I hear the word "frames"?)!
    (21 July)

  • "Shall We Dansu?" *****
    This story of a Japanese sarariman's foray into the world of ballroom dancing is hilarious and at the same time uplifting. I'll never be able to watch the rumba and keep a straight face again! The film's main message: "Enryo shinai."
    (16 July)

  • Fringemania! The Fringe of Toronto Festival is an annual presentation of roughly 80 plays/performances by indepedent theatre groups. All shows are one hour or less in length, and the emphasis is on innovation. It is part of a nationwide series of Fringe Festivals, slightly staggered over the summer. Currently in its ninth year, Toronto's Fringe is relatively new, but it is growing every year. Presently it is a nice, manageable size, reminding me of what the circuit's behemoth, the Edmonton Fringe, was like ten or so years ago.

    • "Insects" & "1,000 Cranes" **
      Two (near-)mime plays, one about man and insects, the other about a girl who had a delayed death related to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Both are probably best as kids' shows.

    • "All of Our Heroes Died While We Were At Cadet Camp" ***
      Engaging actor relates story of an Australian who escapes private school and travels to South America and Japan. He tells of learning how to eat noodles properly. I went for a bowl of udon after the show.

    • "Sanguine Tears" ***
      Three very different sisters are brought together by the death of their father. This play could have been better acted, but the plot twists make it watchable, interesting even.

    • "Yodellers" *****
      Lesbian pro golfer falls for decidedly hetero male sportswriter. A lively script follows them as they work through their relationship. Dynamic staging, great dialogue and perfect comic timing.

    • "Rounds" ***
      "I-I'm OK: I'm alive; I'm wearing clothes; I'm alone; and I've got my wallet." A one-man play in which an alcoholic recounts his drinking career. Well acted. I went for a cold one in the Fringe Beer Tent afterwards.

    • "Dumplings and Death" ****
      A young woman waits in hospital for her mother to die, and portrays various family members. Great characters.

    • "Meat Memory" ***
      A series of interesting scenes about different aspects of how we relate to our bodies. Fatty, Wedding Pie, Arms, Role Reversal Quad, Video Will. Surreal theatrical staging and excellent acting, including the 12-year-old cast member (who must be the youngest actor in the whole festival!).

    • "HAHA: Japanese - Mother; English - The Sound of Laughter" ****
      A four-woman show by Tokyo's Kee Company about parent-child (specifically mother-daughter) relationships which uses many techniques: song, dance, sketches, storytelling. Frighteningly accurate: I laughed, I cried, and I went home to phone my mother to ask if she had served as their script consultant--but she wasn't home (just like in the show!).

    • "Smoke" **
      A 35-year-old civil servant goes a bit strange after being downsized. Sorry, I can't say much more as I kept falling asleep during this one.

    • "Hard Core Weasel" **
      Amusing sketches and songs from the Winnipeg comedy troupe Brave New Weasels: Cooking Up Some Comedy, Downsizing Appeal, Haunted Inn, Amnesia Song, Talkshow, Board (Game) Meeting, Basezzzzzzball Broadcast, Bank Job, Mexican Aerobics, Seasonal Lounge Singer, Moon Fraud, Celtic Drunk Tank. Light fare.

    • "Norma's Back" ***
      Former high school cheerleader captain, now actress-working-as-waitress is convinced someone is out to murder her-- just as her Big Break is about to happen! She runs through the list of potential killers, which gives her the opportunity to portray several characters. Delightful actor, but somewhat of an obviously constructed script.

    • "Growl Sweetly" *****
      A young woman takes in an actor as a roommate...and things happen. Great acting and a beautiful, at times poetic script.

    • "Simply Fred" ***
      Fred is a Korean-Canadian actuary celebrating his 29th birthday (that's 30 in Korean years). Just dumped by his girlfriend...and his cat, he wants to rewrite his life before starting over. But before one rewrites, one must review... Playwright M.J. Kang incorporates many bicultural elements and issues into the story, and actor Paul Lee, who I saw last year in Cahoots Theatre's hugely popular "Mom, Dad, I'm Living With a White Girl", does a great job, especially in the bar scene, where Fred's birthday balloons come alive.

    • The Death of General Wolfe ***
      Every year the Fringe seems to have at least one play dealing with Canada and the Quebec question. An exploration of how people relate to loss. The historical and modern are mixed when an art restorer sets to work on the famous painting of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Beautiful singing opens and closes the show.

    • Bone Crack ***
      Newspaper reporter interviews prostitute to research an article he's writing. Or so he says...Intense.

    • Fraidy Cat, Boners and Me **
      One-man show of humourous musings and recollections. Frenetic--no wonder it's a bit on the short side (36 min).

    (03-13 July)

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