A delightful ensemble, wonderful banter, and comedic brilliance are just a few things I can say to describe how impressed I was with this year’s production of Leonce and Lena presented to you by the Trinity College Drama Society. Translated, adapted and directed by 4th year student Chris Pugh, Leonce and Lena is truly an impressive piece of work.  Though as sophisticated as the dialogue was, the performance had just so many silly fun moments. If there is only one word to this describe this play, I would say: FUN!

I particularly loved the character “the king” portrayed by the wonderfully talented Duncan Derry. Though still a young man, he managed to pull off playing what I believed to be at least a fifty or sixty year old man. It was all in his demeanor and oh who can forgot that low, obnoxious voice?!? Derry has a wonderful sense of comedic timing and poise for such a young age.

Though, all actors did a tremendous job.  Leonce, portrayed by the also wonderfully talented Kashtin Fitzsimons, had so many funny one liners too:

1) “I’m bored because I love you”

2) “Kisses equal voluptuous yawning”

3) “Time does not kill love, Our love kills time.”

4) “Dying love is more beautiful than growing love.”

5) “We’re all so old and I feel so young”

6) “Women have a pronounced tendency to fall in love with men they have met than men they have not.”

Leonce and Lena is still playing October 22nd and 23rd at 8PM. Don’t miss it! Buy at the door or reserve your tickets before they are sold out at [email protected]. It’s located at George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place)

**Image from the Trinity College Drama Society

As a student learning French in Toronto, I can sympathize with others like me struggling to keep up with their French in an Anglophone majority. I am sadly myself  not a fluent French speaker so I’ve had to find ways to practice my French in an environment not so conducive to doing so.

However there are ways:

1) French Clubs – Most schools or universities have French clubs.  At U of T for instance we have EFUT. This club is amazing and is actually one of the most popular clubs at U of T. They offer French tutoring hours Mon-Fri, 4-5PM @ 21 Sussex Avenue #604. They hold French conversation sessions weekly in varied locations. They also host and plan great events such as trips to Montreal, pub nights, clubbing events etc. For more information you can check them out on Facebook or email them and ask to join (they’re always looking for new members) at [email protected]

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Image from theplaylist.blogspot.com

Two words: Emma Stone. If not for the not-so original storyline and beautiful people, then at least see Easy A for the wonderfully talented Emma Stone who plays Olive Penderghast in this year’s comedy Easy A. This movie is pretty much your typical teenage comedy/chick flick but it has one thing that separates it from the rest and that’s Emma Stone. I don’t know how many times I can harp on how great she is but she is. Stone is a gifted actress and she reminds me of Ellen Page and her portrayal in Juno. Though, it’s unlikely Stone will get as much recognition as Page did. Enough of Stone, who/what else was so great about the movie you may ask?

Well, despite the minor roles, Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci who played Olive’s parents shined on screen also. They played their cooky/intellectual/loving characters brilliantly. I particularly loved the scene where Olive’s adopted brother points out that he’s black and their father (Tucci) jokingly reacts with enthusiastic astonishment. The movie had many hilarious moments and despite the unoriginal storyline, there was great dialogue and funny characters. I even liked Penn Badgley’s character, yes the dude from Gossip Girl. Funny enough, there was even a reference made about Gossip girl in the movie.

Now back to Stone. I liked her bit where she sings Natasha Bedingfield’s Pocket Full of Sunshine; I couldn’t imagine anyone else acting that scene as well as she did. Though Stone had many shining moments in this movie, that scene was by far to me her best shining moment.

picture from maplesyrupfest.com

I have to admit that before going to my very first maple syrup festival at Bruce’s Mill. Yes, my very first one after 21 years of being born and raised in Canada. I imagined it to be the stereotypical Canadian farm boy atmosphere – flannel shirts everywhere (and yes there were many) and all white people (perhaps racist). As a jest, I even attempted to get my whole family – brother, mom and niece to “dress like farmers” just so we’d fit in. As it turns out, my attempt to “fit in” was highly unnecessary because practically a quarter of the people I saw there were Asian. Heck, even our tour guide was Asian and also an immigrant! As a Canadian, I should have known better, my assumptions were racist and ignorant.

The Sugarbush Maple Syrup festival was not just a time to drink maple syrup (the best syrup I have ever tasted by the way!), eat pancakes, pet animals, and learn the good ol’ Canadian tradition of getting our beloved Maple sap, but it was also a time to rejoice and bring people of all backgrounds together. (more…)

This year’s production of The Wiz directed by the awesome Daniel Bennett of the Trinity College Dramatic Society definitely hit a high note with its audience. I loved the characters, each of them were so unique and hilarious in their own way. The dance chorus, comprised of amazingly talented performers had amazingly choreographed routines. Furthermore of course, was the music. The Wiz without its music is like spaghetti without spaghetti sauce. I had pasta afterward, hence this terrible analogy, sorry. I also really appreciated that there was a live orchestra who helped guide the entire production just outstandingly. Finally, I want to comment on how lively and energetic the whole production was which obviously kept the audience engaged and laughing the entire time.

Here are some memorable quotes and highlights I remembered (in no particular order): (more…)

Oh I hate the TTC and its countless, lazy and overpaid employees too! If you read my previous blog, which you probably haven’t, then you’ll know what I mean.

Reasons:

1) The Service stinks: I think this pretty much says it all. They’re slow, break down and there are constant delays. I especially hate it when I wait ages for a bus and then suddenly pack of them come along. What’s worse, is when they’re all express and I’m at a local stop.

2) Employees are overpaid: Read this. I don’t care how hard or long this man worked; working in a ticket booth does not warrant $100 000. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s not him I’m mad at. If I were him I’d do the exact same thing. Money is money.

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Before I delve into my bickering of the endless idiots I run into on the TTC; I just have to say whoever named the TTC “The Rocket” is also an idiot.

Here are 8 of my TTC pet peeves:

1. People putting their bags on an empty seat. It’s okay when there are a few people but not okay when it’s 9 in the morning and people are barely awake.
2. People standing in front of an empty seat, which is bad because a) you are blocking people’s view of the empty seat, preventing someone else from sitting in it and b) you’re taking up more space by not sitting, douchebag.
3. People standing by the doors, as if there are no other places to stand and that they must block your way as you try to leave.
4. People continuing to wear their backpacks in a train full of people rather than setting them down on the floor. Doing this takes up so much space.
5. Guys (yes it’s only guys I’ve seen do this) sitting with their gigantic legs so far apart they take up one extra seat on either side of them.
6. People lean on posts when other people need to hold on to them.
7. People yapping loudly, especially a group of immature teenagers, and especially on the phone… Okay this one I don’t mind too much but when I’m tired, it is really annoying.
8. The bus driver tells people to move down but they don’t.

I mean is it really all that hard to be considerate? I can admit at times I can be inconsiderate myself like failing to give up my seat to an elder, which I am truly ashamed of and which is why I often sit in the back of the bus.