Tuesday’s Luminato picks: Andromache, Raj Kapoor and David Ben’s Natural Magick
The fifth edition of Luminato, the city’s annual everything-culture fest, kicked off last Friday and goes all through the week. Here, three events to check out today.
1. Theatre—Andromache
After his visceral, violent production of Hamlet two years ago, where else could maverick Scottish director Graham McLaren turn but to Greek tragedy? In Andromache, McLaren takes on Canadian poet Evie Christie by way of Jean Racine by way of Euripides. The new translation preserves the classic sordid tale of a love rectangle among a Greek conqueror, his bitter hostage, his jealous fiancée and her desperate suitor. The stellar cast includes local talents Arsinée Khanjian, Christine Horne and Christopher Morris. June 14 to 19. $51.50. The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen St. W., 416-368-4849, luminato.com/2011/andromache.
2. Film—My Name Is Raj (FREE!)
Known as much for his everyman appeal as for his cinematic prowess, Indian director, actor and producer Raj Kapoor is often called his country’s Charlie Chaplin. Kapoor drew from numerous sources, honing the ultra-romantic, buoyant cinematic style that defined Indian film in the years following independence. This installation—which accompanies a TIFF retrospective that will continue until August—features clips of his films shown on loop, while visitors can enter a photo tent and see themselves projected along with his stars. June 14 to 19. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-368-4849, luminato.com/2011/raj.
3. Magic—Natural Magick
In a world where everyone is too cool for school and everything is laced with a healthy dose of irony, the earnestness of a good old-fashioned magic show is welcome. David Ben rescues the art from the dregs of children’s birthday parties and elevates it to a refined act of theatre, inspired by the golden age of magic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Expect astonishing feats, from telepathy to conjuring. Hugh Jackman, you’ve got nothing on this. June 14 to 16. $36.50–$41.50. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-368-4849, luminato.com/2011/magick.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/tuesday-luminato-picks/&title=Tuesday’s Luminato picks: Andromache, Raj Kapoor and David Ben’s Natural Magick&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/andromache-624x273.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_72643" align="aligncenter" width="656" caption="Arsinée Khanjian and Christopher Morris in Andromache"][/caption]
The fifth edition of Luminato, the city’s annual everything-culture fest, kicked off last Friday and goes all through the week. Here, three events to check out today.
1. Theatre—Andromache
After his visceral, violent production of Hamlet two years ago, where else could maverick Scottish director Graham McLaren turn but to Greek tragedy? In Andromache, McLaren takes on Canadian poet Evie Christie by way of Jean Racine by way of Euripides. The new translation preserves the classic sordid tale of a love rectangle among a Greek conqueror, his bitter hostage, his jealous fiancée and her desperate suitor. The stellar cast includes local talents Arsinée Khanjian, Christine Horne and Christopher Morris. June 14 to 19. $51.50. The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen St. W., 416-368-4849, luminato.com/2011/andromache.
2. Film—My Name Is Raj (FREE!)
Known as much for his everyman appeal as for his cinematic prowess, Indian director, actor and producer Raj Kapoor is often called his country’s Charlie Chaplin. Kapoor drew from numerous sources, honing the ultra-romantic, buoyant cinematic style that defined Indian film in the years following independence. This installation—which accompanies a TIFF retrospective that will continue until August—features clips of his films shown on loop, while visitors can enter a photo tent and see themselves projected along with his stars. June 14 to 19. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-368-4849, luminato.com/2011/raj.
3. Magic—Natural Magick
In a world where everyone is too cool for school and everything is laced with a healthy dose of irony, the earnestness of a good old-fashioned magic show is welcome. David Ben rescues the art from the dregs of children’s birthday parties and elevates it to a refined act of theatre, inspired by the golden age of magic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Expect astonishing feats, from telepathy to conjuring. Hugh Jackman, you’ve got nothing on this. June 14 to 16. $36.50–$41.50. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-368-4849, luminato.com/2011/magick.){kind=link}