Factory Turmoil in Toronto

Meanwhile, at the Factory Theatre in Toronto, another bit of history has abruptly come to an end with the firing of Artistic Director (and company founder) Ken Gass. Details here.

George Walker is threatening to pull his new play, and urging others to do the same. All of this potentially has local repercussions: one of next season's scheduled shows at the Factory is the PuSh-developed Craigslist Cantata, mentioned in my previous post.

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The Jessies at 30

On the eve of the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards this coming Monday at the Commodore, in which PuSh Festival co-pros The Idiot and Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata are both up for multiple prizes, two related articles appeared yesterday in the local press.

The first, in the Vancouver Sun, on the grande dame who has lent her name to the awards (and featuring extensive remarks from friend and fellow PuSh Board member Jane Heyman), offers an informative portrait of the history of theatre-making in this city.

The second, in the Georgia Straight, takes stock, post the Playhouse Theatre Company closing, of the current state of affairs--and posits a surprising hypothesis re the competition for audiences.

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