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megram - 55JunGTA - Index

Arts and Culture
Darwin: The Evolution Revolution
at the Royal Ontario Museum
Discover the extraordinary story of Charles Darwin in Darwin: The Evolution
Revolution, the most comprehensive exhibition ever mounted on the man whose
discoveries nearly 150 years ago forever changed our understanding of the origin
and nature of all species, including our own.
Trace Darwin’s childhood of curious observation and scientific study to his
uninspired school days to his five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle that took
him to the Galapagos Islands. Live tortoises, iguanas and frogs, all specimens
encountered by Darwin, are displayed.
Darwin’s study where he developed his ground-breaking Theory of Evolution,
and featuring rare photographs, personal artifacts and intimate letters, gives visitors
insight on Darwin and interactive media further bring Darwin’s ideas to life,
illustrating his relevance in many areas of modern science.
There are numerous activities well suited for all naturalists-in-training.
Darwin: The Evolution Revolution is at the Royal Ontario Museum until
August 4. Details: www.rom.on.ca or 416 586-8000.
Going Bananas with
Famous People Players
Take a trip to the circus – and dine in
fine style – with Canada’s internationally
renowned black light theatre company.
Famous People Players presents Going
Bananas until June 30 at 110 Sudbury Street,
close to downtown Toronto. This unique dinner
theatre experience begins with a threecourse
meal, followed by an hour-long live
performance that combines music, dance
and dazzling special effects with life-sized
characters who pay tribute to famous people.
The show is followed
by dessert and
coffee back in the dining
room. Produced and
directed by Diane
Dupuy, Going Bananas
is a hilarious look at the
fun and chaos that
erupt behind the curtain
of the Big Top. The
performers are people
who are developmentally challenged and
Dupuy founded the company in 1974 with
the belief that the disabled must be integrated
into society. Lunch and dinner shows
run Tuesdays through Saturdays, including
special Father’s Day performances June 14.
For reservations, call 416 532-1137 or 1 888
453-3385. For details, check www.famouspeopleplayers.org.
PHOTO: CYLLA VON TIEDEMANN
Cinderella and The Fiddle and
The Drum at The National Ballet
You’ll be dazzled by Cinderella and The Fiddle and The Drum, presented
by The National Ballet in June. Choreographer James Kudelka’s contemporary
retelling of Cinderella is a tale of self-discovery through the transforming
power of love that embraces both romantic and comedic aspects of the
ballet.With Erté-inspired art deco set and costumes, this production was
hailed by The Globe and Mail as “Cinderella nirvana… dazzling.”
The Fiddle and The Drum is a collaboration between Jean Grand-Maitre,
Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director, and renowned singer and songwriter Joni
Mitchell. It’s performed by 28 dancers from Alberta Ballet.
The Fiddle and The Drum is part of a mixed programme, which also
Guillaume Côté and
Sonia Rodriguez in
Cinderella .
PHOTO: CHARLES HOPE
includes William Forsythe’s The Second Detail, Harald Lander’s Etudes, and
Principal Dancer Jennifer Fournier’s farewell solo, Sir Frederick Ashton’s
Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan.
Cinderella runs to June 8 and The Fiddle and The Drum runs June 13 to
22 at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts. Tickets: 416 345-9595.
www.national.ballet.ca
June 2008 • 40 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
Portrait of Charles Darwin
Anthony Pina and Alberta Ballet Company
Artists in The Fiddle and The Drum.