raymondhelkio

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The Antonymy Of Depression 

“So often, I’ve felt words fail me when I’ve tried to convey what it feels like to struggle with depression, and I’ve wished that I could just draw a diagram of my mind to show where it hurts or what isn’t working when I’m unwell.” –Mel Bender when asked what prompted her to create The Antonymy Of Depression. I met Mel Bender in a course where I taught Zine Making, and she was the most talented…

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Beached Whales

Beached Whales by Stedmond Pardy Stedmond Pardy is a self educated, left handed poet of Caribbean Canadian descent, from Lakeshore Mimico area He has performed his work on stages & radio in Toronto, Alberta, Montreal, & the Seattle/Washington state areas. His first full length book of poetry “The Pleasures Of This Planet Aren’t Enough” was published in 2021. He has released an audio book to…

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We Atomkinder

Through genuine and succinct prose, Pascal Beer establishes a distinct voice that will resonate will the era of people defined by the advent of nuclear weaponry and the fallout that we are subsiquently forced to live with. The term “Atomkinder” is a German word which translates to “children of the atom” in English. The term is often used in the context of nuclear physics or atomic energy to refer…

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The Sulphur Springs Cure

By Jefferey Round  Before delving into Jeffery Round’s latest offering, I decided to allocate time to read one chapter per day. With each chapter roughly consisting of ten pages, I figured this would maintain a good pace. However, I quickly found myself eagerly anticipating my time with The Sulphur Springs Cure, abandoning my initial schedule and reading several chapters at a time. Round’s…

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I Am Your Spaniel, Or, A Midsummer Nights Dream By Willian Shakespeare By Gillian Patterson

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Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

What starts out as choreographed chaos—meant as a compliment—sets the stage for a spectacular show with an extraordinary cast. Directed by Chris Abraham and choreographed by Ray Hogg, the production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 unfolds with actors entering from every angle, creating a dynamic performance with a lot of moving parts. Utilizing the entire theatre space, the cast…

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Wonka

Warning: some minor spoiler alerts ahead. Cover photo from Warner Bros: Olivia Coleman as Mrs Scrubitt, Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka Keegan-Michael Key as The Chief-of-Police in Wonka. Wonka was wonderfully playful but a departure from the narrative given that Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, released back in 2005 and directed by Tim Burton, is actually next in the series.  Charlie…

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Shadow Maker, The Life of Gwendolyn MacEwen 

A meticulously researched biography penned by Rosemary Sullivan, an accomplished author and scholar. MacEwen, a prolific Canadian poet born in 1941, led a complex life, marked by the duality of her public persona and intensely private struggles. Hailing from a working-class Toronto family, MacEwen’s early life was marred by familial challenges. Her mother, Elsie, grappling with mental…

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Angels In America (Part One & Two)

Written by Tony Kushner. Immerse yourself in the transformative brilliance of Tony Kushner’s seminal two-part play, Angels In America, delving into the intricate landscape of HIV/AIDS complexities. Debuting on Broadway in 1993, this compelling narrative follows two couples—one heterosexual, the other homosexual—navigating the intertwining paths of their lives amidst the challenges of HIV,…

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DOUBLE BILL: “Monster" + "Here Lies Henry"

Written by Daniel MacIvor. Monster opens in the darkness of a cinema’s silence, disrupted by a shushing from a person in the audience, signalling the commencement of the story. A dark, twisted tale of fear, revenge and the human condition, Monster delves deep into the recesses of the minds. Previously a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for Drama, Monster is part twisted phycological…

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Pervatory

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Jono Pye's Digital Showcase

Rob Wilkes, the creative genius behind the design of Jono Pye’s artist website, has woven a visual tapestry that serves as an exquisite backdrop to Pye’s diverse and captivating portfolio.Welcome to the digital showcase where Pye’s creations come alive, each stroke and pixel unveiling the story behind his diverse artistic journey. One highlight of the site is Jono Pye’s Artist’s Statement, a…

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The Rocky Mountain Special

Review by Raymond Helkio, The Reading Salon The Rocky Mountain Special, a captivating one-person play by Tiffany Thomas, unfolds the poignant journey of an elderly trans woman aboard a luxury coach from Calgary to Vancouver that she has ridden for the past forty years. As the playwright, composer, performer, and costume designer, Tiffany Thomas masterfully weaves together a narrative that delves…

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Defining Moments (Do I Have A weird Penis?)

This review first appeared in the Fall 2023 issue of Broken Pencil Magazine, 100th issue anniversary addition. “I’m always thinking of new things I can make in my free time, and constantly looking for new methods and mediums I can try out. You’ll never know what you can do until you try, and you’ll never know how you can use what you’ve learned in the process.” -Brad Pyne Defining Moments is a…

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Public Poetry from a Peterborough Porch

This past Thanksgiving Long Weekend, Peterborough had something special to be thankful for. On Saturday, October 7, 2023, a live front porch reading was held in downtown Peterborough. Presented by “This Stage Of The Trail” and hosted by PJ Thomas, this free event attracted about thirty eager onlookers for what was an intimate and engaging roster of poets, including Barbara Ryder and the…

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Greg's Cookies

Sky Gilbert’s latest theatre offering is the delicious Greg’s Cookies. While the the play’s program states there is no connection to Toronto’s “Craig’s Cookies”, the similarities are striking. David Benjamin Tomlinson, who was the star of one of my favourite Sky Gilbert plays, Tollar, plays Greg, the celebrated God of cookie creations.  Before Greg makes his first appearance we are introduced to…

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Lion’s Head Revisited