Latest news with #GregWood
Winnipeg Free Press
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fringe reviews #1: It all started when you chose seat B7
2 MAGIC RUBIES, 1 PRIVATE EYE: A DIRK DARROW INVESTIGATION Racing Sloth Productions MTYP Mainstage (Venue 21), to July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ It was a hot time in the old MTYP opening night (the air conditioner was down), but the heat shouldn't keep you away from this gem, a 60-minute grab-bag of magic, mind reading and mile-a-minute quips delivered by the titular gumshoe. Tim Motley shone like a diamond as he effortlessly handled the standard opening night technical difficulties. Despite a slightly too-warm crowd, Motley was able to get the audience in on the gags and tricks for a delightful show. A master of both sleight of hand and quickness of feet, the charming performer keeps you enthralled and rolls with the punches when encountering an unexpected snafu, such as his Dollarama gun being out of bullets. — Sonya Ballantyne ACTION MOVIE MAD LIBS SensibleChuckle Theatre King's Head Pub (Venue 14), to July 27 ⭐⭐⭐ One has to admire the ambition of this three-person comedy troupe from Dufresne, setting out to parody a big-budget action movie from the cramped confines of the King's Head Pub, with a little help from their (presumably imbibing) friends in the audience. Opening night, trio Alex Coates, Tim Coates and Sarah Guindon presented a Casino Royale-like action-fest in which the audience supplies 19 keywords that will factor into the show, which is why Guindon's character was named Boobs Galore and Tim Coates' designated villain had the non-threatening sobriquet 'Le Tinkleberries.' A drink or three may be de rigueur for this hour-long sketch/improv hybrid. Go in sober and the comedy feels like a pretty standard spy spoof, inspired audience participation (Tinkleberries) notwithstanding. — Randall King THE AUNTIE SHOW Broken Record Productions MTC Up the Alley (Venue 2), to July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This 60-minute sketch comedy show follows three Aunties as they gab about normal Auntie things: dating uncles, Bigfoot sightings and saving the world. (It was first presented in workshop form at the Kiyanaan Indigenous Theatre Festival in January.) Despite a few technical hiccups and this reviewer sitting near a rowdy Auntie and her man, there were genuine laughs from the sold-out crowd and the chemistry between Jo MacDonald (the playwright and one of the leads) and Tracey Nepinak is always a delight, particularly in the section taking place in a haunted house. The transition from workshop presentation to fringe production has been a positive one regardless of opening-night glitches. Broken Record Productions continues to put on quality shows; it's good to see another Indigenous production in this year's festival. — Sonya Ballantyne FRINGE FAMILY FUN SHOW Comedy Illusions of Greg Wood Théâtre Cercle Molière (Venue 3), to July 27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you're looking for a good old-fashioned magic show, this is it. Fringe Family Fun Show offers nearly 60 minutes of magic tricks, illusions, sleight-of-hand and delightfully cheesy jokes. Dressed in flashy sequined outfits, magician Greg Wood and his wife/counterpart Oonaugh Wood, along with their assistants and granddaughters Victoria and Jasmine, perform a variety of tricks that will have you wondering, 'How did they do that?' This is the kind of classic magic you've probably seen before, but Wood and company deliver it in such a fun and endearing way you'll be glad you brought the kids. It is especially well suited to the toddler-to-under-10 crowd, who may even get the chance to take part in the fun onstage. From disappearing objects to silly banter, the Fringe Family Fun Show is exactly what it promises to be — family-friendly fun with a magical twist. — Shelley Cook 🙂 FOOL'S GAMBIT James & Jamesy PTE — Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage (Venue 16), to July 20 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ Fringe faves James & Jamesy have teamed up with Nayana Fielkov of Ragmop Theatre for an improv show as unpredictable as it is endearing. On the way in, attendees were given a slip of paper and asked to write down something that would be found in their basement; said papers were then put into a jar for potential improv fodder. The trio, decked out in overalls and long-sleeve tops, slunk out on stage, hilariously grunting and moving like the yep-yep-yep aliens from Sesame Street, before eventually working up the courage to pick one slip out (on opening night it was 'Lego'). Over the course of the next 50 minutes the three, armed only with a stool and the suggestion jar as stage props, acted out (with the help of a few audience members) a wedding, selecting a Christmas tree and more. The physicality of the trio's movements, as well as the ability to quickly pivot into new scenarios, was enthralling, leaving audiences in turns awed and offering raucous laughs. Catch this limited-run show while you can. — Ben Sigurdson NO TWEED TOO TIGHT: ANOTHER GRANT CANYON MYSTERY RibbitRePublic Theatre King's Head Pub (Venue 14), to July 26 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It's been six years since Ryan Gladstone performed his ode to two-fisted Mickey Spillane-style mystery and maybe that's what's been wrong with the world. The absence of boozing insurance investigator/human meatball Grant Canyon has left a chasm in our lives. But he's back with a literal vengeance in this lightning-paced comedy from Vancouver's RibbitRePublic Theatre. Gladstone alone on a small stage somehow manages to impress as a technical marvel as he puts the pedal to the metal unravelling the mystery of the purloined Bombay Sapphire. Riffling through a dozen or so disreputable characters and a dazzling barrage of light/sound cues, the 60 minutes speed by like a Corvette with the brake lines cut. Gladstone delivers deep, satisfying belly laughs. — Randall King A ONE HUMAN BEING, POTENTIALLY COMEDIC PERFORMANCE OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Living the Dream Gargoyle Theatre (Venue 25), to July 27 ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Local schoolteacher Alli Perlov's one-person satirical odes to well-known musicals — in this case, Disney's 1991 version of Beauty and the Beast — are a venerable fringe tradition by now. As her writeup reads, 'Can she sing? Not really. Can she act? That's debatable.' Perlov does both with confidence. She knows how to grab an audience. The humour is a tad raunchy, but not so outrageous it's inappropriate for older kids. But millennials seem like the intended the audience here, with the comedy's Buzzfeed and Evanescence references and its affectionate deconstruction of 1990s Disney tropes. Perlov commits so manically to the bit — with quizzes, songs, audience participation and vaudevillian levels of scenic, character and prop changes — that it's impossible not to be entertained by this one-hour campy romp. — Conrad Sweatman PARASOCIAL Metanoia Theatre Co. Gargoyle Theatre (Venue 25), to July 27 ⭐⭐⭐½ Parasocial is a collision of two mediums on opposite ends of the analogue-digital spectrum: live theatre and video game streaming. In it, our protagonist Mia is stalked and harassed as she attempts to build an online following. Meanwhile, her feckless boyfriend, a more successful streamer, vacillates between acting like a wimp and gaslighting her. It's possible older audiences who didn't grow up online will read her dilemmas as a little confusing ('What's streaming? Get a real job!'). But the 45-minute dramedy effectively explores the creepy realities of those who did grow up that way: the erosion of private and public boundaries, the toxicity of so many online cultures and the unique threats they pose to women. The play's central conflict could be more taut and the conclusion feels underdeveloped, but Rebecca Driedger — who wrote and directed the production, as well as designing its detailed, captivating visuals — is clearly a talent to watch. — Conrad Sweatman THE PUPPETS OF PENZANCE Backyard Broadway Theater Creative Manitoba (Venue 22), to July 27 ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Pairing the inherent silliness of Gilbert & Sullivan with cute puppets seems like such a natural match it's a wonder it isn't done more often. In this fun musical adaptation, a cast of nine pares the original operetta down to one hour while keeping the plot points and (abridged) songs intact. Puppeteers are in full view, manipulating the puppets and also clearly enjoying relating to them and the audience. They perform all the songs (some impressive voices here!) and have all had varying types of formal music training. While familiarity with G&S isn't absolutely necessary to enjoy this production, it will definitely enhance your experience to know the signature style and satire. There is some uneven singing — understandable for a large cast — and while the bargain-basement set playfully contrasts the opulence of a professional G&S presentation, it is inadequate for nine players and unfortunately distracts from other good points. Still, first-time director Lisa Chartrand manages a lot of charm. — Janice Sawka RED DIRT/RED STORM Second Star on the Right WECC — Ventura Hall (Venue 26), to July 25 ⭐⭐⭐½ Before she became the face of corporate space exploration, Ess grew up on Mars — its first native. Clark, her ambitious engineer boyfriend who works under her, seems to be using her fame and position as he pushes towards exploring beyond Mars. This 60-minute drama grapples with some big ideas: the hidden costs of progress and the all-too-human foibles of humanity's explorers and titans. It's also capably acted, full of feeling and funny zingers. Red Dirt/Red Storm's primary inspiration seems to be high-concepts sci-movies. We accept its repetitive Hans Zimmer-esque score and adjust to its Christopher Nolan-like competing timelines, but we may get lost in space following other plot points, which can be confusingly understated. Expensive sci-fi movies have the advantage of a range of visual cues to convey narrative details in place of exposition. A BYOV play does not and this one sometimes struggles to bring things home. Still, there's the stuff of a strong story here and the fringe is an ideal setting for workshopping what might one day become a stellar watch. — Conrad Sweatman
The Guardian
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Royal Ascot 2025: updates, previews, full results and more from day five's races
Update: Date: 2025-06-21T10:13:14.000Z Title: - Chesham Stakes (7f)', ' Content: Good morning. And after yesterday's sojourn to Ascot in my finery (of which more later) here's the run down of today's action and after ginving you the going and non-runner details I will start publishing Greg Wood's previews of all the races. 2.30pm - Chesham Stakes (7f)3.05pm - Hardwicke Stakes (1m 4f)3.40pm - Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f)4.20pm - Jersey Stakes (7f)5.00pm - Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (6f)5.35pm - Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) (1m 2f)6.10pm - Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m 6f) Update: Date: 2025-06-21T10:07:16.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Welcome back to Ascot on the fifth bright, warm morning in a row at this year's Royal meeting, on a day when the biggest crowd of the week might just witness a moment of racing history in the afternoon's feature event, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (3.40pm). Japan has become one of global racing's powerhouses over the last quarter of a century, winning major races on all continents and often bringing plenty of travelling fans along for the ride. Their record at Royal Ascot, however, and in fact, at Ascot full stop, is a tale of woe, with the occasional near-miss along the way. Agnes World, the first Japanese-trained runner at the meeting, finished second, beaten just over a length, in what was then the Group Two King's Stand Stakes, when he was giving weight to his 22 rivals (and in his next race, won the Group One July Cup, the summer sprinting championship). One of his stable companions finished 22nd in the same race, and since then, only one of 10 runners from Japan has even reached the first five (Shahryar, in the 2022 Prince Of Wales's Stakes). In Noriyuki Hori's Satono Reve, though, the country has one of its strongest contenders for years, and riding legend Joao Moreira has flown in to take the reins. The six-year-old has form that puts him within a length or two of Ka Ying Rising, the top-rated sprinter in global racing, and has been given plenty of time to get used to his new surroundings having arrived in Newmarket in early May. I think he could be the horse to finally break Japan's duck here, and the market seems to agree as he has been backed from 9-2 to 5-2 favourite this morning. Inisherin, last year's winner of the Commonwealth Cup here, is next in on 9-2, and in a truly international field, two French-trained runners, Lazzat and Topgear, are next in at 5-1 and 6-1 respectively. The Jersey Stakes (4.20pm), for three-year-olds over seven furlongs, and the Hardwicke Stakes, over a mile-and-a-half and a race that has often been a stepping stone to the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes here in July, are the main supporting races on today's card, along with the ever-popular Wokingham Handicap at 5pm. The going remains good-to-firm all over after further watering last night, and temperatures are expected to climb towards 30C as the afternoon goes on, which should ensure that the track is bursting at the seams by the time the royal procession makes its way down the track just before 2pm. The attendance has been up on every day of the meeting so far – it was an 8% jump on Friday – and there is every chance the course will complete a full house today, for the second year in a row. John & Thady Gosden are tied at five apiece in the race to be top trainer, Oisin Murphy is just two wins behind Ryan Moore after taking the last race here on Friday and you can follow all the action and slings and arrows of outrageous fortune as the 2025 Royal meeting draws to a close right here on the Guardian's live blog.
Courier-Mail
20-06-2025
- Courier-Mail
Review: APT Solara, a river ship that stands out from the crowd
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. To be or not to be a river ship – that is the question. When Australian-owned travel company APT approached the ambitious build of its new twin ships the Solara and Ostara, the brief was to create something dramatically different and see Europe through an Australian's eyes. Designed for the continent's busiest route from Amsterdam to Budapest, the luxurious Solara certainly stands out from the crowd. Despite having to adhere to the Danube's strict ship dimensions – there are 68 locks to navigate along the Rhine-Main-Danube route – the Solara offers surprising variety, and is contemporary and stylish with subtle nautical touches, including a chic French-navy exterior. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Set the scene Checking into the airy atrium is a dreamy experience. High ceilings and a skylight open up the all-white space. There is a marble water station, a circular marble table and a tiled floor centrepiece in the dimensions of a compass. A dramatic macramé-like hanging rope sculpture descends from the ceiling into the softly curved stairwell, and the walls showcase original landscapes by artist Greg Wood and pieces curated by Melbourne gallery Otomys. The design was conceived by renowned Melbourne firm Hecker Guthrie (their first project on a ship), and influenced by APT's co-owners and siblings Lou Tandy and Rob McGeary. The designer furniture is whimsical and elegant but comfortable – think Gervasoni and Casini – and it has instant wow factor. If money was no object, this is how I'd love my home to look. We took a canal tour through Amsterdam. The itinerary While the Solara's 15-day itinerary will traverse the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, I'm only on board for four nights for the christening and 'shakedown' cruise. This is a test run of sorts, and we embark at Rotterdam under the Erasmus Bridge before sailing past green pastures and fields of wild yellow canola flowers to Kinderdijk to tour the idyllic working windmills (dating back to the 16th century). We dock overnight at quaint Dordrecht (one of the oldest cities in Holland), visit Lisse to catch the vivid annual spring tulip festival Keukenhof, and take a canal tour through Amsterdam, which is celebrating 750 years. Although the friendly crew is busily readying the final touches to the ship, and pumping out countless espressos from the shiny new La Marzocco coffee machine in The Salon, the whole thing feels flawless. With Solara's capacity for 154 guests (and 60 crew), no cabin feels like you are missing out. Picture: Supplied. The cabins There are three categories of suites: the plush Owner's Suites, the Balcony Suites and the wood-panelled Twin Window Suites, and each has a colour scheme inspired by the seasons. Thick carpets range from sage green for spring to dusky pink for autumn. Original prints of signature European shore excursions by Australian photographer Nick Wilkins (available to buy) adorn the walls and lend an antipodean lens. The bathrooms have an abundance of storage, enormous shower heads, floor-to-ceiling tiling and marble sink tops. Toiletries by sustainable Amsterdam brand Marie-Stella-Maris were sourced by Tandy herself. With Solara's capacity for 154 guests (and 60 crew), no cabin feels like you are missing out. Solara has seven bars and eateries, each of which feels like a top-notch restaurant or wine bar. Picture: Supplied. Food and drink Solara has seven bars and eateries, each of which feels like a top-notch restaurant or wine bar. Catering to Australian travellers who have curious palates and want variety and quality, APT engaged hospitality guru Monique Lane of Fellow Hospitality (collaborating with chef Stephen Seckold of House Made Hospitality). From the fare at Bistro Saison, to the degustation paired with top-notch wine in the Owner's Cellar, and the laid-back eats at Annie's Table (named for the owners' mother), the offerings are impressive. The Grüner Bar & Dining, which rises on hydraulics so it elevates above other ships in dock, is a surprising hit, with dishes such as pretzels with whipped ricotta and moreish focaccia with butter that melts in your mouth. All bread and pastries are baked on board daily, and the delicious ice-cream and gelato are handmade. It has a circular conversation pit around solar lanterns to resemble a campfire, a nod to APT's outback touring heritage. Picture: Supplied. The extras Along with a jewel-coloured spa/salon, gym, and daily shore excursions that are included, e-bikes for guests who want to explore independently are provided. The roof has a small circular heated pool and two levels for guests to enjoy, and the Daystar Deck is a standout. It has a circular conversation pit around solar lanterns to resemble a campfire, a nod to APT's outback touring heritage. A marble cooktop space functions as an outdoor bar and barbecue, lending an Australian touch. The Grüner Bar & Dining has a great menu and sitting in a vibing wine bar while enjoying the view is a highlight. Picture: Supplied. What's hot The Grüner Bar & Dining has a great menu (the fish finger sambo is the hot ticket) and sitting in a vibing wine bar while enjoying the view is a highlight. What's not The square pillows on my bed were uncomfortable, although I learned later they were delivered by mistake and had been replaced before the first guests arrived. Checking into the airy atrium is a dreamy experience. Picture: Supplied. The verdict - 10/10 While I didn't sail the full itinerary, it's impossible to fault Solara. It's the most stylish river ship I've set foot on – the combination of Australian design, food and thoughtful inclusions is impeccable. The writer was a guest of APT Luxury Travel. Its 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise on Solara and Ostara, sailing Budapest to Amsterdam, starts at around $8495 twin share. Originally published as Review: APT Solara stands out from the crowd
Herald Sun
20-06-2025
- Herald Sun
Review: APT Solara, a river ship that stands out from the crowd
To be or not to be a river ship – that is the question. When Australian-owned travel company APT approached the ambitious build of its new twin ships the Solara and Ostara , the brief was to create something dramatically different and see Europe through an Australian's eyes. Designed for the continent's busiest route from Amsterdam to Budapest, the luxurious Solara certainly stands out from the crowd. Despite having to adhere to the Danube's strict ship dimensions – there are 68 locks to navigate along the Rhine-Main-Danube route – the Solara offers surprising variety, and is contemporary and stylish with subtle nautical touches, including a chic French-navy exterior. Set the scene Checking into the airy atrium is a dreamy experience. High ceilings and a skylight open up the all-white space. There is a marble water station, a circular marble table and a tiled floor centrepiece in the dimensions of a compass. A dramatic macramé-like hanging rope sculpture descends from the ceiling into the softly curved stairwell, and the walls showcase original landscapes by artist Greg Wood and pieces curated by Melbourne gallery Otomys. The design was conceived by renowned Melbourne firm Hecker Guthrie (their first project on a ship), and influenced by APT's co-owners and siblings Lou Tandy and Rob McGeary. The designer furniture is whimsical and elegant but comfortable – think Gervasoni and Casini – and it has instant wow factor. If money was no object, this is how I'd love my home to look. The itinerary While the Solara's 15-day itinerary will traverse the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, I'm only on board for four nights for the christening and 'shakedown' cruise. This is a test run of sorts, and we embark at Rotterdam under the Erasmus Bridge before sailing past green pastures and fields of wild yellow canola flowers to Kinderdijk to tour the idyllic working windmills (dating back to the 16th century). We dock overnight at quaint Dordrecht (one of the oldest cities in Holland), visit Lisse to catch the vivid annual spring tulip festival Keukenhof, and take a canal tour through Amsterdam, which is celebrating 750 years. Although the friendly crew is busily readying the final touches to the ship, and pumping out countless espressos from the shiny new La Marzocco coffee machine in The Salon, the whole thing feels flawless. The cabins There are three categories of suites: the plush Owner's Suites, the Balcony Suites and the wood-panelled Twin Window Suites, and each has a colour scheme inspired by the seasons. Thick carpets range from sage green for spring to dusky pink for autumn. Original prints of signature European shore excursions by Australian photographer Nick Wilkins (available to buy) adorn the walls and lend an antipodean lens. The bathrooms have an abundance of storage, enormous shower heads, floor-to-ceiling tiling and marble sink tops. Toiletries by sustainable Amsterdam brand Marie-Stella-Maris were sourced by Tandy herself. With Solara's capacity for 154 guests (and 60 crew), no cabin feels like you are missing out. Food and drink Solara has seven bars and eateries, each of which feels like a top-notch restaurant or wine bar. Catering to Australian travellers who have curious palates and want variety and quality, APT engaged hospitality guru Monique Lane of Fellow Hospitality (collaborating with chef Stephen Seckold of House Made Hospitality). From the fare at Bistro Saison, to the degustation paired with top-notch wine in the Owner's Cellar, and the laid-back eats at Annie's Table (named for the owners' mother), the offerings are impressive. The Grüner Bar & Dining, which rises on hydraulics so it elevates above other ships in dock, is a surprising hit, with dishes such as pretzels with whipped ricotta and moreish focaccia with butter that melts in your mouth. All bread and pastries are baked on board daily, and the delicious ice-cream and gelato are handmade. The extras Along with a jewel-coloured spa/salon, gym, and daily shore excursions that are included, e-bikes for guests who want to explore independently are provided. The roof has a small circular heated pool and two levels for guests to enjoy, and the Daystar Deck is a standout. It has a circular conversation pit around solar lanterns to resemble a campfire, a nod to APT's outback touring heritage. A marble cooktop space functions as an outdoor bar and barbecue, lending an Australian touch. What's hot The Grüner Bar & Dining has a great menu (the fish finger sambo is the hot ticket) and sitting in a vibing wine bar while enjoying the view is a highlight. What's not The square pillows on my bed were uncomfortable, although I learned later they were delivered by mistake and had been replaced before the first guests arrived. The verdict - 10/10 While I didn't sail the full itinerary, it's impossible to fault Solara. It's the most stylish river ship I've set foot on – the combination of Australian design, food and thoughtful inclusions is impeccable. The writer was a guest of APT Luxury Travel. Its 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise on Solara and Ostara, sailing Budapest to Amsterdam, starts at around $8495 twin share. Originally published as Review: APT Solara stands out from the crowd
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Man found dead on the road as police launch "incredibly complex" investigation
The tragic discovery was made in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday March 19. Essex Police confirmed the man's body was found on Lincolns Lane in Brentwood, Essex A man's body has been found on the side of a road sparking a complex police investigation. The tragic discovery was made in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday March 19. Essex Police confirmed the man's body was found on Lincolns Lane in Brentwood, Essex. The man's identity has now been released by police as they ask for the public's help to understand the timeline of events in the run up to his death. They believe the man was Vietnamese national Vo Thai Son, who was living in the UK at the time. No further details such as his age or family tributes have been shared with the public at this stage. Police have not described this as a murder investigation. The full statement from Essex Police released yesterday reads: "We are appealing for any information about a man whose body was found at the roadside in Brentwood. The man was found in Lincolns Lane early on 19 March. We believe the man is Vietnamese national Vo Thai Son, who was living in the UK at the time. "An investigation was launched following the discovery and we are liaising with our partners in law enforcement nationally and internationally to establish his movements in the days and weeks before he was found. "Now, we are appealing for the public's help in building this picture We have launched a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP), in both Vietnamese and English, for anyone to come forward and share what they may know." Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said: 'This is an incredibly complex investigation, with my officers continuing to explore further lines of enquiry to find out how Thai Son came to be at the side of this road. 'It's important we provide those answers for his loved ones, and that anyone who knew him tells us what they know about him.'We are not treating his death as suspicious at this time, but there are questions we must answer about the circumstances of this discovery.' Essex Police has set up a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) appealing directly to members of the Vietnamese community for information, which can be found here. Anyone with any information that may help police with their investigation is urged to come foward quoting incident 0109 of 19th March 2025. You can submit a report on the Essex Police website or use the online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Visit the Essex Police website to find out more about our online reporting services. If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
