Author: Rajka Stefanovska

Rajka Stefanovska was a radio journalist and arts reviewer in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as on Radio Yugoslavia, Belgrade, Serbia for 20 years. When the war in Former Yugoslavia started she moved to Ottawa, where she joined the Parliamentary Press Gallery as a correspondent for several media, and was a contributor to the Canadian news agency “Issues Network.” At the moment, she works as a federal public servant and still lives in Ottawa.
Anatolia Speaks: touching refugee story

Anatolia Speaks: touching refugee story

Photo: Candice Fiorentino

Anatolia speaks takes us back to the Bosnian conflict that took place 30 years ago. A flood of refugees was forced to leave the country at the time and find a new homeland. Many of them found home in Canada.

The story takes place in an ESL class, where Anatolia is talking to her classmates about her Canadian experience. We find out that she works at a supermarket, enjoys a welcoming, if very cold, Edmonton, and is hoping to earn more money, so that she can buy a refrigerator by summertime. But, as much as she is eager to talk about her life in Canada and about the Canadian Corporal Jason Orman, who taught the song, “You are My Sunshine”,  the class is as eager to hear about her war experience. So, little by little, she starts to talk about her family – father, husband and daughter. She is an educated woman – she speaks 6 languages – who got married and has a baby girl at the age of 19. Next, we learn that her family perished, and that she left her twin boys – a result of rape that happened during the conflict – in Bosnia. As she says, she never knew what the father of her boys looked like.

The story tells a general truth about the madness of war and its consequences.  Although it is well written and excellently performed by Candice Fiorentino, there are some elements that need additional work.

The story conveys the horrors of war well enough, but, since it is told as a personal experience, it should have been better researched in order to maintain authenticity. Had Brown done this, the play and its general meaning would be much more powerful.  Details such as car brands – Bosnians would usually have a Golf, Renault 4, or the Yugoslav brand “Yugo” and not so often the Russian-made “Lada.”  This is not only a cliché but also an incorrect assumption that any European socialist country will have firm tides with Russia – Yugoslavia was a member and founder of Nonalignment movement from mid fifties until the war in the 90s.

Anatolia says that she is a Croat, her husband was a Serb, her grandfather a Muslim.  At one moment, she tells the class that her grandfather gave up his Muslim roots; since Muslim became a nationality at the beginning of seventies in Yugoslavia, Anatolia’s grandfather would still be a Muslim, just not a religious one.

Bearing in mind all these facts, the choice of names, both her sons and especially hers (Anatolia is a city in Turkey) are also very odd. Additionally, nationally mixed marriages were fairly common in Bosnia, not unusual, as she claims. To understand  the extent of the tragedy and the absurdity of the conflict in Bosnia, where people once lived peacefully together, it is essential that the character (Anatolia) tells true facts about Bosnia (not any imagined or similar country).

Candice must be given full credit for her interpretation of Anatolia. Her posture and emotions were very convincing. Her accent was consistent all the way through the performance. Unfortunately, the pronunciation of Bosnian words (Srebrenica, for example) was wrong – the accent in Bosnian language is always on the first syllable. Also, the family name of the first postwar Miss Bosnia was pronounced in such a way that it was unrecognizable.

Although “Anatolia” is a play that lacks authenticity,  its main message is conveyed successfully. The way it is written, t is more universal. It can refer to refugees from a wide variety of places, and the victims of war in general. It touched the audience and gave us all a lot to think about.

Produced by Poiema Productions (Edmonton)

Created and directed by Kenneth Brown

Cast

Candice Fiorentino as Anatolia

Tango to the Point. A new captivating dance style

Tango to the Point. A new captivating dance style

Erin Scott Kadafer –Alexander Richardson

Photo Marc Ruddick  Grapic design Alex Richardson

This is exactly why I love the Fringe Festival. Every year among the many attempts to create and put a twist on the classic, there is a chance that you will find a gem. This year, the Ottawa Fringe brought a gem with a capital “G”.

“Tango to the Pointe” is just what we have been searching for. New, innovative, unexpected, some would even say physically impossible, or described in just one word: beautiful.

Erin Scott-Kafadar and Alexander Richardson present a new dance style to Ottawa – an exacting combination of classical ballet mixed with the passion and improvisation of Argentine tango.

Danced on pointe and braving the danger that this combined techniques brings, they capture the very lifeblood of traditional ballet, while changing its routine by adding speed, lifts and elegant lines. In doing that, they add a dynamic to the tango and a fire to the ballet. What they got as a result, is a synthesis of classical beauty, elegance and livelines mised with an emotional and sultry essence. They interlaced them to get a new and very unique dance style.

Erin and Alexander are classically trained dancers. Their dancing is a pure beauty. – skillful, graceful, and emotional. They developed a style that has a huge potential, and they are clearly ready for the next step.

“ Danced on pointe and braving the danger that this combined techniques brings, they capture the very lifeblood of traditional Argentinian  tango, while changing its routine by adding ballet elements, such as speed, lifts and elegant lines. In doing that, they add a dynamic to the tango and a fire to the ballet. What they got as a result, is a synthesis of classical beauty, elegance and liveliness mixed with an emotional and sultry essence.

Missing at this point is a connecting story line. The story told through Point Tango would be more interesting and would present an exciting new era in the dance world.

Played at Arts Court Theatre

Produced by Point Tango

Created and Choreographed by Alexander Richardson

Performed by:

Erin Scott-Kafadar

Alexander Richardson

Ready or Knot: a lighthearted comedy

Ready or Knot: a lighthearted comedy

Ah, theatre! It is not called a “play” for nothing. Just remember the time when we all, as children, played in our backyards and basements developing all kinds of stories with our friends. Jamine Ackert and Pierre Brault’s “Ready or Knot” brings with it the lighthearted creativity of that time.

So, let’s play! At the beginning, we are introduced to Pierre and Jamina, two lonely divorcees trying to get on with their lives. As we follow them through their travels, yoga classes, on the bus, we get acquainted with them and their routines through well paced jokes. This first part, helped by the use of well-incorporated video, ends when Pierre meets Jamina in her yoga class.

In part two, the romance begins. After a number of lifelike situations they decide to marry. So, we come to the part three – a game of marriage. This is where the actors asked the audience to participate. Three bridesmaids, three bridegrooms and the officer (who officiates the marriage) are selected. We all stand up for the bride’s entrance. When seated again, we play the role of guests at their wedding. Witty, romantic and humorous vows are said (and, unexpectedly, some participants from the audience did a very good job!), and, finally, we are treated to a wedding cake – cupcakes, actually, but real ones, carried around by the bride.

Ready or Knot is a lighthearted, fun comedy. Although from time to time the actors lacked a bit of energy, it was, overall well written and well performed. The union of two stand-up comedians proved to be a success. The audience enjoyed it, laughed and, all in all, had a wonderful time.

 

 

The Proposal/The Ring. Innovative Approach to an Old Classic

The Proposal/The Ring. Innovative Approach to an Old Classic

Directed by William Beddoe* Dramaturgy/Workshop Direction (The Ring) & Photography by Andrew Alexander Fight Direction by Zach Counsil* Lighting Design by Graham Price Stage Manager Donna Price Assistant Stage Manager Kenney Vandelinde Produced by Andrew Alexander & William Beddoe

 

We have been waiting for two years, and we can finally say: ‘Welcome back to the Ottawa Fringe Festival”. This year for it 25th anniversary, the Ottawa Fringe brings 42 shows, wth genres as different as can be: dramas, comedies, dance, music, magic, storytelling – there is something for every taste. Plus – something we all need after two gloomy years – there is quite a number of comedies to cheer us up. One such comedy is TheProposal/The Ring, an interesting take on Anton Chekhov’s one act play. “The Proposal”.

The show consists of two plays performed as one two-act play – Checkov’s original one act play, “The Proposal” (the first part), as well as a more modern view of the relations of the two main characters, Natalya Stepanovna Chubukova and Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov making up the second part, called The Ring and written by Laurie Fyffe.

Chekhov’s original play is a story about wealthy landowner Ivan’s decision to marry his neighbour’s (Stepan’s) daughter Natalya. He comes to Stepan’s house to propose, but his personality stands in his way. The narrative and the humor in “The Proposal” relies on the expression of Ivan’s  insecurity, greediness, arrogance, and stubbornness. All these characteristics combined prevent him from speaking directly, and continually sidetrack the conversation, making him an awkward character. Contrary to Ivan, Natalya is a self-confident young woman, though as greedy and stubborn as he is. Living in 19th century Russia, on top of that, she needs to be married if she wants to have a better place in Russian society.

Although Chekhov himself never thought much of this fast paced, dialogue based farce, it was an instant success, thanks to its humorous way of exposing greedy, superficial attitudes of the Russian high class, where (like everywhere else in those days), marriage was based on wealth rather than on sentiment. Still Chekhov did not like it, claiming that it was mostly misinterpreted.

Of course, all published works are subject to interpretation, both by the audience/readers and by directors/actors. In this version of the play, the director William Beddoe sees Ivan as a nervy guy and Natalya as a strong woman. That is how Laurie Fyffe portrays them in “The Ring,” as well. Ivan does not know his own mind and constantly second guesses himself, one moment wanting to be married another to escape. Natalya is portrayed as a determined, scheming woman, who knows what she wants and does not let honour or principles stand in her way. In both plays, a vital role in this courtship belongs to Natalya’s eager, greedy father Gruzinsky, expertly played by Jeff Lefebvre. Kurt Shantz (as Ivan) and Sarah Marks (as Natalya) overall do justice to their respective characters.

All in all, this is a very interesting and innovative approach in which Laurie Fyffe did a good job as playwright. The performance could do with some work in order to make the characters more natural. Change of mood and, therefore increase of voice volume during the disagreements between Ivan and Natalya could be more gradual. Also, keeping in mind that this is a dialogue-based comedy, the comedic effects could have been more verbal and less physical. Sometimes this physical element diminished  the strength of the play and lost some meaning in the process. Other than this, “The Proposal/The Ring” is a very entertaining play which is well worth seeing.

Production: Plan B Productions

Written by: Anton Chekhov (The Proposal) and Laurie Fyffe (The Ring)

Cast:

Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov                             (Kurt Shantz)

Natalya Stepanovna Chubukova                (Sarah Marks)

Stepan/father Gruzinsky                              (Jeff Lefebvre

Creative team:

Director                                                    William Beddoe

Dramaturge and Photography –

The Savannah Sipping Society: Lighthearted production of a fun play

The Savannah Sipping Society: Lighthearted production of a fun play

Photo courtesy of: Linden House Theatre Company

Savannah Sipping Society is a story about four lonely women who, in the midst of their personal life crises discover the value of friendship, by mere chance. Although the theme might sound stereotypical, and its TV sitcom style offers no novelty, the play is hilariously funny and entertaining – just the thing for the end of a tiring week.

Read More Read More

Gaslight: Great set and good acting but production drags on

Gaslight: Great set and good acting but production drags on

Photo: M.Vartanova

Since its London premiere in December 1938, Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight has been staged all over the world. The narrative, which successfully wraps the fragile human psyche into a crime setting, attracts audiences and artists alike to this day.

The story is set in Victorian era London and explores an intentionally abusive relationship between Jack Manningham and his wife Bella. Jack’s goal is to gradually drive his wife insane by constantly making her doubt her memory and perception. He plays his cards well, in a startling portrayal of the form of abuse that has become synonymous with the play’s name. He is sadistically cruel to Bella, aggressively bullying her, suggesting she inherited her mother’s madness, falsely blaming her for misplacing small objects, and grows increasingly unpredictable in his mood towards her. And if this were not enough, whenever he does leave, Bella is surrounded by dimming gas lights and the sound of footsteps from the abandoned floor above. Couldn’t these just be yet another creation of her delusional mind? Then one evening, while Jack is out yet again, a stranger comes to the house and changes the chain of events, and her life.

Read More Read More

Mending Fences. Magic on the stage of the Ottawa Little Theatre

Mending Fences. Magic on the stage of the Ottawa Little Theatre


Photo Maria Vartanova

 

It is not very often that real magic happens in the theatre. It is only
possible if all the stars align: an intriguing script, excellent acting,
imaginative set and lighting, and skillful directing. Although it may
happen rarely, it is happening right now at the Ottawa Little Theatre.
Their production of Norm Foster’s Mending Fences creates just that – pure
magic on the stage.

Read More Read More

A Murder is Announced. Good entertainment based on a mediocre script!

A Murder is Announced. Good entertainment based on a mediocre script!

Photo Maria Vartanova

Agatha  Christie is a master of murder mystery. Her works include complicated plots, a number of suspects – each one with a well kept secret – and Miss Marple, an amateur sleuth with unparalleled wit. What makes her books so widely loved is that, although events revolve around a murder, the story is rarely about the crime. Leslie Darbon’s stage adaptation of Christie’s novel “A Murder is Announced” is an attempt to reconcile the thrill of a “whodunnit” with the cozy, small-town atmosphere Agatha Christie de-scribes in her novels. While it works well in the first act, the second comes off as rushed and chopped. Still, congratulations are in order to Ottawa Little Theatre for managing to produce an entertaining production out of a somewhat mediocre script.

Read More Read More

Love and Human Remains: Excellent production explores loneliness in the modern world

Love and Human Remains: Excellent production explores loneliness in the modern world

Photo: ToToToo Theatre

Love and Human Remains explores the everlasting questions of human existence – who we are, what we want, where we go. Playwright Brad Fraser is searching for answers in the world that surrounds him, and what he finds is chilling.

He follows the life of seven lonely people whose lives intertwine on many levels. Invisible, trapped in loneliness and in search of love, they barely exist in a Canadian metropolis. While they are trying to find themselves, a series of murders also takes place in the city. 

Read More Read More

OF Mice and Men: solid production of an excellent play

OF Mice and Men: solid production of an excellent play

Of Mice and Men  photo Maria Vartanova

Of Mice and Men,  a story about two migrant workers, George Milton and  Lennie Small, is set  in California during the Great Depression in the United  States.  It  explores the depths of misery of those whose lives were ruined  by poverty, enveloped in loneliness, and whose dreams were  not bound to  come true.

George and Lennie are as dissimilar as two people can be – George is  intelligent and quick witted, whereas Lennie is mentally challenged;  George is a protector and leader, while Lennie  is a witless follower;  George is courageous and determined while Lennie is a big, frightened kid  with an enormous physical strength. Still, they are close friends,
connected by the same destiny and a dream that keeps them going despite their harsh reality.

Read More Read More