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Check the Program

by Check the Program

Arts and culture in Victoria, BC. Hosted by Sarah Petrescu, John Threlfall, Melanie Tromp Hoover, Amanda Farrell-Low, Brianna Bock and Tim Ford.

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Episodes

  1. Ep 37: Guest Taiwo Afolabi on the CRD IBPOC Artists & Cultural Administrators Meeting

    The Belfry Theatre's Manager of Artistic and Community Connections Taiwo Afolabi joins us to talk about a June 11 meeting of Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) Artists and Cultural Administrators in the Capital Regional District that has been in the works since April, but has taken on…

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  2. Ep 36: What might performance look like this summer?

    With gatherings over 50 banned, will we see any live theatre or performance this summer? Theatre SKAM thinks so--and has some ideas in the works. We speak with Theatre SKAM's Matthew Payne (1:26) about their tentative plans for their annual outdoor SKAMpede festival, summer camps, theatre home...

  3. Ep 35: Virtual Vaudeville

    Our first physically distant episode. We talk to Atomic Vaudeville's Britt Small about their first virtual cabaret (1:26), what we are watching at home (26:07) and an interview with Janet Munsil about her Canadian Play Thing (42:29). With Amanda Farrell-Low, John Threlfall, Sarah Petrescu…

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  4. Ep 34: Tim Ford, Spark Fest, COVID-19 and the arts

    We introduced Tim, our new contributor (1:00), chat about the Belfry's Spark Festival, where we managed to catch Busted Up and Destiny, USA before the fest got cancelled (8:04), and then discuss the COVID-19 outbreak and the huge impact that is having on the arts scene here and beyond (20:49)....

  5. Ep 33: Ministry of Grace, Comic Potential, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time & more

    We review the Ministry of Grace at the Belfry (1:08), Phoenix Theatre's Comic Potential (11:00), The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Night Time at Theatre Inconnu (18:56) Intrepid Theatre's Outstages Festival (27:15), Dance Victoria's presentation of Kidd Pivot's Revisor (34:20), put a call…

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  6. Ep 32: Some 2019 Highlights

    We were snowed in and couldn't record our regular podcast, so revisited a few of our favourite 2019 interviews, including Lindsay Delaronde (1:47), Ingrid Hansen of SNAFU Dance Theatre (15:45), Carey Wass aka Carey-OK (28:12) and the Wonderment music series (40:57).

  7. Bonus content: Brian Linds full interview

    Sound designer Brian Linds talks about his work on Every Brilliant Thing at the Belfry Theatre, selling off his massive record collection, and his years hosting the legendary Uncle Bri's Fun House on CFUV.

  8. Ep 31: Every Brilliant Thing, Crumble and more.

    We review Theatre Inconnu's Crumble (Lay me down, Justin Timberlake) ( 2:00) The Belfry's Every Brilliant Thing (7:56) and do quick hits on the short runs on the remount of GRL PWR (20:40) and the world premiere of Secret/e (24:43). Plus an interview with Every Brilliant Thing's sound designer...

  9. Ep 30: Be Still preview, Bang Bang, 39 Steps and Missing reviews

    We review the Belfry's Bang Bang (1:25), Blue Bridge's 39 Steps (12:19) and the remount of Pacific Opera Victoria's Missing (19:30), plus interview hapax theatre's Heather Jarvie about their production of local playwright Janet Munsil's Be Still and what it's like being one of the newer theatre...

  10. Ep 29: Il Trittico, Emerald City Project, Rocky Horror Show, Once More with Feeling: An Unlicensed Buffie The Vampyre Slayer Parody, affordable artist housing and arts spaces

    Amanda, John, Melanie, Sarah and special guest Brianna Bock review Pacific Opera Victoria's Il Trittico (2:14), Emerald City Project at William Head on Stage (8:20), Atomic Vaudeville's Rocky Horror Show (14:56) and Starry Starry Sky's Once More with Feeling: An Unlicensed Buffie The Vampyre…

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  11. Ep 28: Paper Street Theatre season preview, The Children, Dead Man's Cell Phone, and Over the River and Through the Woods

    As the fall arts season kicks off, we review The Children at the Belfry (1:23), Dead Man's Cell Phone at Theatre Inconnu (6:39) and Over the River and Through the Woods at Langham Court Theatre (8:28). Plus we spoke with Paper Street Theatre's Dave Morris about how he programs the longform improv...

  12. Bonus content: CTP talks Fringe on CBC Radio

    Check the Program's Amanda Farrell-Low stops by CBC Radio's All Points West on Friday August 30 to talk about our coverage of the Victoria Fringe Festival, including some top picks for the weekend.

  13. Ep 27: Victoria Fringe Reviews

    As we head into the final weekend of the 33rd annual Victoria Fringe Festival, the CTP team, plus guest reviewer Brianna Bock, share some of their favourite shows, their disappointments, and other Fringe moments from this year.

  14. Ep 26: Victoria Fringe preview with Wilhelm, Boom X and a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

    John, Melanie, Amanda and Sarah get together to review Blue Bridge's season closer A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1:13), Boom X at the Belfry (4:59) and chat about the upcoming Victoria Fringe festival with special guest Wilhelm, who has some tips on how to be a Super Frinjer.

  15. Bonus content: Wonderment music series mini documentary

    CTP's Amanda Farrell-Low chats with David Bodrug of the Garden City Electronic Music Society and the Wonderment live ambient music series as well as musicians Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness as they prepare for a performance in the courtyard at downtown Victoria's public library. Track…

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  16. Ep 25: Wonderment, Barefoot in the Park, Shakespeare Fest, Constellations + more

    July was super busy, so we have a bit of a long one for you. Featuring a recap of Hedwig and the Angry Inch ( 1:48), the 20th Anniversary of the Ska and Reggae Festival (5:48) and a production of Pamela Bethel's After the Beep (7:44), plus meatier reviews of the Greater Victoria Shakespeare...

  17. Bonus content: Colton Hash full interview

    CTP's full interview with multimedia artist Colton Hash, recent recipient of ProArt's Witness Legacy Award for Social Purpose and Responsibility Through Art award. See his work at coltonhash.com. Recorded May 2019.

  18. Ep 24: Colton Hash, Book of My Shames, Master Builder, Rifflandia postponed

    Amanda, Sarah and John review Blue Bridge's Master Builder(1:54) and get a sneak peek at a new show by local tenor Isaiah Bell, A Book of my Shames (8:14), plus chat artsy news like the Rifflandia postponement and Phillips Backyard Weekender lineup announcement (11:50), the City of Victoria's...

  19. Ep 23: Reviews Galore! Quartet, Shrek, Countess Maritza, Uno Week 1

    The CTP crew was busy out on the town! We have reviews of Langham Court Theatre's Quartet (1:30), Victoria Operatic Society's Shrek (6:29), Pacific Opera Victoria's Countess Maritza (12:50) and the first week of Intrepid Theatre's Uno Festival (17:43), some local artsy news, including a look at...

  20. Ep 22: Carey-OK and UNOfest 2019

    With special guest Carey Wass aka Carey-OK! We review Dance Victoria's presentation of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (1:54), the Belfry's 4,000 Miles (7:26) and Canadian College of Performing Arts' West Side Story (19:05), plus chat with Carey about his solo show Timeless Timely Tunes, which you…

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  21. Ep 21: Calling Home, new season sneak peeks

    We review Other Guys Theatre's premiere of Alan Morgan's Walk the Line (1:17), Hapax Theatre's production of Daniel MacIvor's In on it (4:07), plus chat with playwright Kristin Atwood and director Kathleen Greenfield about SNAFU's Dance Theatre's new documentary play Calling Home: Stories from...

  22. Ep 20: Sparking Sesame

    We do a recap of the Belfry's Spark Festival (1:02), chat about some local artsy news (Rock the Shores! Save Hermann's! The latest in the RMTS back and forth! How David Foster can save Victoria's arts scene! Starts at 13:50) and then chat with local performer, playwright and puppeteer Ingrid…

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  23. Ep 19: Arts and Innovation

    What happens when our creative work takes you in a whole new direction? We speak with Mercedes Bátiz-Benét and Mike Delamont (11:23), two local artists who have tackled this quandary (and whose work can be seen at Langham Court and the Belfry's Spark Festival this month). Plus a review of That...

  24. Ep 18: The "Fallen Woman" Trope

    We review Phoenix's Trojan Women (1:03), Theatre SKAM's 7eventy 7even (5:09) and Pacific Opera Victoria's La Traviata (11:49), including an interview with UVic English Professor Erin Kelly talking about the trope of fallen women and the virgin/whore dichotomy in the arts (14:39). We also chat…

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  25. Bonus content: Lindsay Delaronde full interview

    Our first ever bonus content! Here is Amanda's full interview with Lindsay Delaronde, a multidisciplinary Iroquois Mohawk artist who recently wrapped up a two-year term as the City of Victoria's first-ever Indigenous Artist in Residence. Thanks to Lindsay for taking the time to share with us.

  26. Ep 17: Indigenous Art and Performance in Victoria

    Amanda, John and Sarah review Bears at the Belfry (1:07) and speak with Lindsay Delaronde, who recently wrapped up a two-year term as the City of Victoria's first-ever Indigenous Artist in Residence (10:24).

  27. Ep 16: Canadian Queer Theatre Festivals

    Happy New Year! We review 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Langham Court Theatre, which runs until February 2 (1:08) and chat about the Victoria Symphony's Music of Star Wars (8:04) and how film music/scores fit into the symphony programming's past, present and future. For our feature...

  28. Ep 15: Royal Rumbles (Dec 19, 2018)

    Reviews of the Belfry's Griffin and Sabine (1:15), Atomic Vaudeville's holiday pantomime at the Roxy (7:12) and Charles Ross' new One Man Stranger Things show (12:20), plus a discussion of changes at the Royal and McPherson Theatres that will have a big impact on some local arts groups (14:59).

  29. Check the Program - Episode 13 : November 14, 2018

    John, Sarah, Melanie and Amanda review Langham Court's Goodnight Mr. Tom (1:00), the Drowsy Chaperone at UVic's Phoenix Theatre (6:28) and the Belfry's Mustard (9:44), plus a preview of Impulse Theatre's Peek Fest (17:35), mini reviews of a couple visual-art shows (Madrona Gallery's Shuvinai...

  30. Check the Program - Episode 12 : October 31, 2018

    We review Blue Bridge Theatre's Billy Bishop Goes to War (1:21), have a little discussion about theatre-snacking etiquette (6:36) and talk a bit about the AGGV Brainstorm exhibit, which looks towards the gallery's upcoming expansion and renovation (10:33). Also, a chat with Jen Nichols, Community...

  31. Check the Program - Episode 11: October 17, 2018

    Melanie, John, Sarah and Amanda review Mamahood: Bursting into Light at the Phoenix (1:02), Pacific Opera Victoria's Fidelio (5:35) and William Head on Stage's The Crossroads: A Prison Cabaret (11:18). Plus plenty of talk of the Victoria municipal election (17:14) and the ProArt - Victoria…

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  32. Check the Program - Episode 10: October 4, 2018

    Amanda, John, Melanie and Sarah talk with venerable arts supporter Janis La Couvee (0:58s) about her retiring and leaving Victoria and the past, present and future of the Victoria theatre scene she's covered so diligently over the past 10+ years, plus reviews of A Doll's House, Part 2 at the…

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  33. Check the Program - Episode 9: September 12, 2018

    Our extra long fall preview episode! We do a Victoria Fringe recap (1:01), and then delve into arts offerings this fall (8:13), including the Belfry, Phoenix Theatre, Langham Court, Pacific Opera Victoria, Victoria Operatic Society, Intrepid Theatre, Canadian College of Performing Arts (we have…

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  34. Check the Program - Episode 8: August 15, 2018

    The team chats about the John A. MacDonald statue removal from Victoria City Hall (1:00), reviews of Theatre SKAM's Concord Floral (8:30) and Blue Bridge's Sweeney Todd (14:16). We also talk about the Victoria Fringe, what we are most excited to see, and how we are planning on tackling reviews...

  35. Check the Program - Episode 7: July 17, 2018

    A rapid-fire review episode for a busy July! Melanie, Sarah, John and Amanda chat about Blue Bridge's Drawer Boy (1:12), Illicit: A Shadow Story (5:49), Andrew Bailey's Brain Machine (11:00), Theatre SKAM's SKAMpede (15:03), and The Tempest and Pericles at the Greater Victoria Shakespeare…

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  36. Check the Program - Episode 6: July 5, 2018

    Sarah, John, Melanie and Amanda are back with a look back at faves from last arts season (including shows from the Belfry, SNAFU Dance Theatre, Nicola Gunn, Pacific Opera Victoria, Dance Victoria, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and Rifflandia/Atomique) (0:56), some gripes about the lack of a...

  37. Check the Program - Episode 5: June 12, 2018

    After a vacation break, Amanda, Melanie, John and Sarah review UnoFest (2:30), Blue Bridge Theatre's All My Sons (7:04), Langham Court's Chorus of Disapproval (11:04) an update on Open Space (15:46) and a look AGGV's Supernatural and Lindsay Delaronde's Forgive (17:26). Plus an update on the new...

  38. Check the Program - Episode 4: May 10, 2018

    John, Amanda and Melanie review Theatre Inconnu (0:33), Blue Bridge (3:52), Victoria Operatic Society (8:34), Confabulation (10:53), Canadian College of Performing Arts (13:43) and Dance Berserker Dance (15:13). We also chat about Carey Newman winning the Inaugural ProArt Alliance 2018 Regional...

  39. Episode 3

    John, Amanda, Melanie and Sarah review Pacific Opera Victoria (0:46), Dance Victoria (4:44), Puente Theatre (7:33),the Belfry (9:28), Langham Court (13:25) and the Camosun College and UVic visual art grad shows (On the Cusp and Good Grief!) 16:27. They also discuss the news that Vancouver Island...

  40. Check the Program - Episode 2 (or 1.5) : April 5, 2018

    Sarah Petrescu, John Threlfall, Amanda Farrell-Low and Melanie-Tromp Hoover have a long history of arts and culture journalism in Victoria, so we decided to get together and talk about it. In this episode: reviews of Twelfth(ish) Night by Launch Pad Theatre, on until April 14 (2:55), Comedy of...

  41. Check the Program - Episode 1 : March 18, 2018

    Our inaugural episode! Amanda, Sarah and John talk about why we feel Victoria needs an arts podcast, plus the Belfry's Spark Festival, Dance Victoria's presentation of Company Wayne Gregor, Cassils at the University of Victoria, Capital City Comic Con, Open Space, The City of Victoria's artists…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Arts and culture in Victoria, BC. Hosted by Sarah Petrescu, John Threlfall, Melanie Tromp Hoover, Amanda Farrell-Low, Brianna Bock and Tim Ford.

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Check the Program

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Check the Program currently has 41 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

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Arts and culture in Victoria, BC. Hosted by Sarah Petrescu, John Threlfall, Melanie Tromp Hoover, Amanda Farrell-Low, Brianna Bock and Tim Ford.

How often does Check the Program release new episodes?

Check the Program has 41 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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