by Kimberly on October 26, 2012
Since moving here in the summer of 1999, Neptune Theatre has produced a wide array of performances some years better than others. This year in particular has delivered some really fine performances and we’re only into the second show of the season on the main stage! Last week I was invited to the opening night performance of Bingo!
Bingo!
Here’s the blurb:
On the eve of their thirtieth high school reunion five classmates come together in a Cape Breton hotel to celebrate the past. Some are happy to be back home while others see it as an obligation. A few have never left. As tears and liquor flow, decades of dirty laundry is aired and life is re-examined. Don’t miss this funny, thought-provoking story of friendship, growing up, and the nice guy finally getting the girl. This presentation is a remount of the sold out Mulgrave Road Theatre production by renowned writer, director, actor and Sydney native Daniel MacIvor.
Cokebaby and I had a blast at this performance. Really, I couldn’t find fault in any bit of it. The set was simple yet perfect. Who hasn’t been to a hotel room that looks exactly like that? Or a small town bar emblazoned with the Mooseheads logo on the wall?
Above all else, the casting was absolutely brilliant. Each actor embraced their role and were true to life in so many ways. From the jock who really hasn’t changed, the best friend who’s the brunt of his aggression, to the ones who moved away and the ones who stayed behind. I have to give major props to Heather Rankin who really stole the show with her performance though. She was charming, sweet, funny, and a memorable character.
Overall, Bingo! is a hilarious yet touching play that is very relatable no matter if you’re from a small town or big city. So far, so good in the 50th anniversary at the Neptune Theatre. We’re really looking forward to the rest of the season.
Bingo! runs until November 4.
by Kimberly on October 23, 2012
For the third year in a row I was invited to participate in the Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s Big Day Downtown. The idea behind the campaign is to give local bloggers $100 in spending money to do with as they please in Halifax then write about the experience.
A new twist this year paired bloggers together. Due to our time constraints, Danna and I opted to do a blog swap. You can find out about her Big Day Downtown at You Look Fiiine.
In previous years I spread the love around by visiting several locations. This year, I decided to spend it all in one spot. And what better place than The Press Gang? It’s a place that Cokebaby and I had never been despite it being a much loved local establishment. Since it’s a fine dining experience we just never really thought of an occasion to go. We chose a night when we were going to catch a show at Neptune Theatre (review of Bingo! coming shortly).
Photo credit: selkie30 from Flickr
The interior is lovely. It’s an older building with many of the historic characteristics preserved. Bare stone walls and candlelight in recessed nooks, the place has an ambience meant for an intimate dinner. Fittingly, the only way I can describe the service is ghostly. The waitstaff just kind of appeared and spoke in hushed (almost whispered) voices. It made me very self-aware of my own volume even though I’m not a very loud talker.
To start we shared the Henry Platter: Beef Carpaccio on crisp baguette, green peppercorn aioli, and fresh Parmigiano Reggiano. Pork pate with red pepper caviar and rillettes topped with spiced pear chutney ($16). The carpaccio just melted in our mouths. If I was going to order it again I’d work my way from duck to beef because of the progression of flavours. For some reason we wound up doing the opposite.
My entree was the Brome Lake Duck Breast: Red currant and brandy basted duck breast, blue cheese bread pudding, parsnip puree ($36). Every little morsel was perfect. The duck was cooked perfectly and meshed well with the sides. I have to say I’m not ordinarily a fan of parsnip but that puree was heavenly. And the blue cheese bread pudding? Divine. On its own it may have been overpowering but the portion size and blend of other flavours on the plate made for a fabulous meal.
For dessert I had the Creme Brulee: White chocolate and raspberry ($10) and an espresso. A perfect end to a fantastic dinner. Since I’m technically only blogging about the $100 spent on my meal we’ll skip Cokebaby’s special though it probably bears mentioning that he was disappointed by the blandness of his fish and dessert given how amazing my meal was.
Overall, The Press Gang deserves all the high praise I’ve heard about the place. It may be a while before we return again but our next special occasion may very well find us there again.
