1 Spadina Crescent, Suite 245, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1 Phone: 416 593 1552 thenewspaper@thenewspaper.ca www.thenewspaper.ca
University of Toronto’s community newspaper Independent since 1978
March 5th – 11th, 2009 Vol. XXXI, No: 21
the newspaper
the newspaper write between the lines
the news
the arts
5 Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) conflicts 4 SPECIAL: Gaming vs. Gambling addiction 5 Happy Birthday Darwin!
7 U of T Drama Festival 2 Quick, to the polls! (or not)
Change
Picture this
MATTHEW POPE
HANNAH FLEISHER
University Politics Bureau
Campus Clubs Bureau
University administration and student politics may seem like cumbersome institutions rife with cronyism and selfinterest. Nonetheless, they are an inescapable part of life at U of T and can affect students in profound ways. The problem is that few are willing to face the juggernaut, and even fewer distinguish themselves from the monotonous rhetorical mass. Michael Motala is one of those few, running for the position of Student Governor in the Full-Time Undergraduate Constituency, which is one of only 8 student positions on the 50 person Governing Council (GC), which includes the president and provost. He seems willing to move into the fray with students' interests at
Founded in 1919, the Hart House Camera Club gathers avid photographers and provides them with the equipment and space needed to hone their craft. With the aim to promote photography as a hobby or career field, the club provides traditional and digital darkroom facilities for its members, as well as course instruction on different photography techniques. A year-long membership, which costs just $25 for current U of T students or Hart House members, allows access to the traditional “Snow Storm” by Patric Ingram won darkrooms as well as the the Junior Division K.B. Jackson Trophy chemical supplies needed at last year’s exhibition for developing prints. For use of the digital darkrooms, an additional $15 fee is required. sideration in several categories, There are also lockers in the some of which include digital facility available for $5. (altered and unaltered), film Courses are offered in prints (colour as well as black both semesters to provide & white, and judged in both instruction on beginner and junior and senior divisions), and advanced black and white a photographic essay category. film developing, colour film For submissions depicting developing, portraiture, and campus life, the Yousef Karsh fine art photography. These Award is also up for grabs. The courses generally run over winning photos are displayed 2-4 sessions, once or twice in Hart House for one month, each semester, and the course and the selected winners fees generally range between will receive monetary prizes. $45-$60. Weekend sessions To get a glimpse of the 2008 are also offered on “getting to winning submissions, check know your camera” for only out the website: http://hhcc. $5. These courses are highly sa.utoronto.ca/gallery08.html. recommended since the key to An excellent triumvirate good photography isn’t how of judges this year include good your camera is or even renowned architect Bruce your film, but how well you can Kuwabara, of the Toronto archiuse it. tectural firm KPMB. Bruce is a U The 87th Annual Exhibition is of T alumnus and has worked also just around the corner. The on all scales of architectural exhibition allows all University projects, nationally and interof Toronto students and memnationally. Our second judge, bers of Hart House to submit “Pic” - Continued on page 2... their photography for con-
A word for Governing Council
Hart House Camera Club
Michael Motala (Trinity College) is running for Full-Time Undergraduate Student Governor on GC
heart, asserting that “there is so much great stuff to do be done at U of T without stepping on anyone”. Motala is a clean-cut, unassuming and well-spoken
young man who has clearly done his homework (literally and metaphorically). He spoke openly and honestly about his desired position, admit“GC” - Continued on page 2...
Justice can be racist
Race biases may penetrate Ontario legal system WILL CAMPBELL Community Concerns Bureau Despite being studied extensively by a provincial commission some fifteen years ago, race has continued to be a factor in this province’s criminal justice system – but we can’t know for sure just how much of a factor. So says Justice David Cole, an Ontario court judge and co-chair of the Commission on Systemic Racism in the Ontario Criminal Justice System, which released a report on the topic in 1995. The Commission was formed as part of the province’s response to the 1992 Yonge Street riot, an initially peaceful multi-racial protest against anti-black racism in
Toronto which escalated into a full-blown ruckus. Yet when asked whether the Commission’s finding – that racism, specifically anti-black racism, was prevalent in all aspects of the province’s criminal justice system – remains relevant today, Justice Cole cautions against any definitive answer. He cautions that we cannot say wether the colour of one’s skin is less of a factor in determining one’s treatment by the police, and in the courts and prison system, some thirteen years later. Systemic racism may still exist, Cole says, but “we don’t have any really good data
studies” to properly answer the question. Yet accusations of black skin resulting in different, more unfair treatment by the Toronto police are still made: earlier this year Roger Shallow, a black assistant Crown attorney, filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, alleging that he would not have been subject to an embarrassing strip search in the entertainment district in 2007 had he been white. But is Shallow’s case an increasingly rare one? The investigation continues in next week’s edition.
2 the newspaper
March 5th – 11th, 2009
the inside
the newspaper Publisher Matthew Pope
THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
News Editor
Arts Editor
Ashley Minuk
Helene Goderis
Associate Editor
the front page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 the inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 the editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 the news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,5 the arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 the jumbler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 the end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Politics? Oh no, I have nothing against them. In fact, some of my best friends are politicians
Ari Simha
Administrative Assistant
Layout & Design
Caroline George
Jeffrey Spiers
Copy Editors
Photo Editor
Elisabeth Bennet, Michelle Ferreira, Tayyaba Jiwani
Sam Catalfamo
Contributors Amanda Campbell, Will Campbell, Hannah Fleisher, Andrew Gyorkos, Mathiaus Poe, Semra Eylul Sevi, Thomas Shifrer, Jennifer Spiers
Ads & Marketing Peter Josselyn ads@thenewspaper.ca
the mission statement the newspaper is proud to be University of Toronto’s ONLY independent news source. We look to our readers and contributors to ensure we provide a consistently superior product. Our purpose is to provide a voice for university students, staff, faculty and U of T’s extended community. This voice may at times be irreverent but it will never be irrelevant.
write between the lines
the campus comment HANNAH FLEISHER
U.T.S.U Spring 2009 elections: do you know what the election is for? Does it concern you? Do you know when the election is?
Brainerd Ewarien - 3rd year - Human Biology
Kayleigh - 4th year - Art History
Yusuf Campbellovski - 3rd year - Art History
“Yes, I’m aware and I plan on voting for Daniela Kyei, she is my friend.”
“I’m aware of the elections but graduate this semester so wasn’t planning on voting.”
“I think this year’s representatives are quite interesting. Being involved in some of the club’s activities I support Jason Martin’s ideas of increasing club funding which will allow for a more diverse student environment and extra curricular activities.”
Julie He - 3rd year - Criminology & Psychology
Adam Ali - PhD - NMC
“I am in the election and I believe that it is every student’s right and responsibility to have his or her voice heard by voting.”
“I have not idea about this.”
ERRATA: Hannah Fleisher is to be credited for last week’s Campus Comment.
the newspaper 3
March 5th – 11th, 2009
the editorial MATHIAUS POE Opinion Column Bureau
“Pic” ...continued from page 1
ting that, while his campaign platform centres on change, he is aware that he won't be cultivating mass revision of university policy. What the student governor can really do is “advocate for student interests and build bridges with... campus advocacy groups and try to stir up some change.” Motala asserts GC elections are very important, yet " we tend to elect students who don't vote in the interests of their fellow students." He stresses that “the opinions and interests of students are heavily undervalued.” Motala aims to raise the profile of the LGBTQ community and to advocate for international students. Another highlight of our discussion was his interest in resolving concerns around the 2030 synthesis report, a plan which proposes things like commercializing research or deregulating tuition fees – "all things that students don't want.” Yet, as Motala points out, “if you look at the voting record of incumbents, 7 out of the 8 student governors voted in favour of passing the 2030 framework.” While Motala is sure to abide by the mandate of the GC, it seems clear that his mind will always be on his constituents. “One of [the] biggest challenges is trying to actively engage people, because nobody cares,” admits Motala, alluding to an exclusive in 'the newspaper' (Oct. 9th) outlining results of a student survey that showed overwhelming student apathy towards campus politics. He aims to remedy the image of students in campus politics who are “a lot about the ego.” Michael Motala is certainly not about ego. He has been accessible, balanced and fair throughout our dealings , and I look forward to bringing you a more in-depth profile next week. In the meantime, please visit Michael Motala's website at www.votemotala.ca or contact him at michael.motala@utoronto.ca. Elections for GC run March 9th - 20th. Make a point of logging into ROSI to vote for a chance to effect change in your university.
Taffi Rosen, is a Toronto-based photographer who has done extensive work in fashion, both editorial and advertising, and portraiture. She has also worked as a videographer for Canada’s Arts Channel, Bravo!, for almost a decade and recently began filmmaking. Our final judge is Sanaz Mazinani, the current director of the Stephen Bulger Gallery in Toronto. Sanaz is an OCAD alumnus who works in photography, videography and
---WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK---
ostensibly fortunate for ‘the newspaper’) my column has been bumped to make room
for “more important” content, like ‘news’. Bah! Fear not, I shall not stand for this injustice and
will return next week. Sadly, the failure of People is always a current event.
drawing. We hope that given the varied backgrounds of our judges, this year will bring a diverse set of perspectives to the process. The exhibition will give students and members of the U of T community a chance to foray into the field of photography and explore aspects with which they may be unfamiliar. The nature of the art and industry of photography is changing rapidly (especially due to
technological advances) and the hope is to provide a forum for people to become acquainted with newly emerging opportunities in the field. For you budding photographers out there, note that the submission deadline for the exhibition is this Monday March 9th at 11:00pm at the Hub in Hart House. The opening reception, which will be an opportunity to view the winning entries, meet the
photographers and learn more about the camera club, will be on Wednesday, March 18th, beginning at 6pm in the East Common Room. There is no admission fee for this event.
A most sincere apologies to all my devoted readers. Unfortunately for us (but
“GC” - ...continued from page 1
I hate People
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4 the newspaper
March 5th – 11th, 2009
the news Risking it all
Gamers Anonymous
IAW
Addiction is in the cards
Child’ play becomes an addiction
Op-Ed
ANDREW GYORKOS
THOMAS SHIFRER
SEMRA EYLUL SEVI
Mental Health Bureau
Mental Health Bureau
Community Concerns Bureau
“How is it possible that a person can be addicted to nothing?” This is a fairly common, albeit jazzed-up, sentiment echoed by many colleagues of mine. It’s a perplexing Even at ‘the newspaper’, gambling can be a serious idea raised by problem. Especially when the computer pictured is the issue of the needed for layout. Photo: Ashley Minuk ever increasing number of gambling tion recognized gambling as a addicts in this world - people mental health disorder back in who are addicted to the thrill 1996, and we still have yet to of bright lights, tumbling dice, figure out exactly what type of and risking their entire fortunes problem gambling addiction is, on a face-down card. But can let alone how to go about fixing problem gambling really be it. A large part of this has to do considered a clinical addiction? with how problem gambling As medical centres worldwide is perceived: Instead of being spend more money and time identified as its own separate researching the issue, far more issue worthy of special attenpeople are inclined to accept tion, gambling addiction often that it is. gets shoehorned into where it With the advent of online doesn’t belong. It can purportcasinos and poker tournaments, edly be treated at the same more people are able to both facilities as alcohol and drug discover and access gambling abuse, but those facilities aren’t opportunities conveniently adequately staffed and stocked and anonymously. As a greater to deal with the issue. number of people become Furthermore, gambling gamblers, it’s only reasonable addictions are difficult to to expect that the number of diagnose and even harder to problem gamblers increases treat, the primary reason being alongside. As both of those that gambling addictions are numbers climb, the credibility not identified by a clear vice or of gambling being labeled a substance like alcohol or drugs. mental disorder rises too. Problem gambling isn’t as easy Many rehabilitation instituto identify as the residual scent tions now accept problem of alcohol on someone’s breath. gamblers and even offer a Moreover, the typical procedure handy list of clues to help for treating addiction is to people identify gambling adavow the problem and to be diction within themselves or supervised and encouraged a loved one. These criteria are by counselors. With regards to largely the only issues problem gambling addiction, only the gambling has in common with principle remains the same. its older siblings, drug and Signs of gambling dependency alcohol abuse. Clues such as are largely subtle enough to “neglected responsibilities,” take weeks of missing pay“long unexplained absences,” checks and significant financial and “sudden mood swings/ losses before a concerned outbursts of anger” are all loved-one becomes suspicious characteristics of problem gam- that gambling addiction might bling, problem drinking, and be the culprit. drug addiction according to top Of all the possible addictions, Canadian and British rehabilita- gambling is surely one of the tion centers. trickiest and most peculiar, But of those three addictions, and only very recently has due many people gloss over gamattention been paid to the bling as being comparatively subject. But now, gambling insignificant, and who can addiction is the focus of much blame them? As far as many interesting debate in the medpeople are still concerned, ical world and will likely remain being addicted to gambling is so for years to come. See nonsense. The World Health Organiza-
It is said that you can never have too much of a good thing. Indeed, this adage is prevalent in North American society; but unfortunately for us, “too much of a good thing” typically means too much alcohol, drugs or other vices. But Video game withdrawal can manifest symptoms such in recent years, as chills or sensitivity to light. Photo: Sam Catalfamo video games have also been added to the sage boards and online group list. As with nearly anything discussions for addicted gamers in excess, video games can to connect and communicate become the object of addiction, as though in a virtual Alcoand an overdose can lead to holics Anonymous meeting. Of the serious health problems, course, the irony of this method if not death – just like a drug might raise the question of its overdose or a particularly nasty effectiveness: one would think drinking binge. that addicted gamers need Sound ridiculous? How about more time away from their 24 year-old Kim Kyuung-jae, electronic mediums rather than a resident of Kwangju, South attached to them even as they Korea, who died after playing seek help. Mu Online for 86 hours straight. Some countries have Although South Koreans have also tried to take preventive received a certain reputation measures against video game for heavy online gaming and addiction. In China, the govPC bangs (public gaming ernment tried to regulate the cafés), Kyuung-jae’s case is by amount of time that persons no means the only reported under 18 played video games instance of gaming addiction – an act which was promptly endangering health. How circumvented by the masses about one closer to home? – and eventually settled on Anyone paying attention to penalizing the cyber-characters local news in November 2008 of excessive game players by will be familiar with the story of diminishing the XP (experience 15 year-old Brandon Crisp, who points used to level characters) upon having his Xbox 360 taken they could earn. away by his parents, ran away While measures against from home and was found dead the rising issue of video game three weeks later. addictions are being adopted, In light of the rise in excesmore and more children are sive gaming, most general falling victim to the condition. addiction clinics now offer proAnd there are few things more grams designed to help gamers tragic than a teenager found shake off their addiction, and dead because he was forbidden special organizations have also to play Call of Duty 4. emerged to target this growing In next week’s issue, I will issue directly. Recognizing explore the various factors the problem early on, in June attributed to the rise in video 2006, the Netherlands got the game addictions: the reasons ball rolling by opening a clinic people get addicted, certain specifically designed to treat strategies game developers people addicted to computer use to get gamers to keep and video games. returning, and a look at how Here in Canada, at a Comexcessive gaming can affect puter Addiction Services your life and (if you’re the excescentre in Richmond, British sive gamer) the lives of those Columbia, approximately 80% around you. So stay tuned for of the youth counsellors’ cases next week’s copy of ‘the newsinvolve excessive gaming. Also, paper’ for my follow-up report. based in the US, Online Gamers Anonymous is a non-profit organization that hosts mes-
Efforts to ban Israeli Apartheid Week from taking place on university campuses across Ontario are the result of serious double standards, as Canadian universities have remained silent over the bombings of the Islamic University of Gaza and other educational institutions. The administrations at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa have decided that a poster inviting people to discuss the conflict ought to be banned, although neither the direct killing of hundreds of children nor the direct bombing of a campus has been enough to elicit outright condemnation. This appears to be in continuity with a pattern established last year when McMaster University attempted to ban the use of the term “Israeli Apartheid” on its campus. In contrast, the administrations that banned the poster could not summon enough concern for human rights or the right to education to speak out against the bombings of educational institutions in Gaza. It seems that a growing number of campus administrations consider the depiction of these killings on a poster – and not the acts of violence themselves – to be the real human rights violations. The banned poster shows an Israeli Defense Forces helicopter firing a rocket at an unarmed Gazan child holding a teddy bear. In light of the recent brutal attacks, this depiction is one of real life: according to United Nations reports, over 430 such events are estimated to have occurred during the latest Israeli attack on Gaza. Instead of banning the poster, the administration of York University has instructed caretakers to immediately remove it, sometimes only minutes after students have placed them in designated postering areas. Similarly, Students Against Israeli Apartheid at UofT recently used a Freedom of Information Request to expose President David Naylor as having been personally involved in shutting down a Palestine solidarity event before the request for campus space was even submitted. In an interview with the Varsity, Naylor described Israeli Apartheid Week as “the consistently worst week of a President’s life.” “IAW” - Continued on page 5...
the newspaper 5
March 5th – 11th, 2009
the news
cont’d
IAW Int’ conflict gets local JENNIFER SPIERS Community Events Bureau As you may have noticed, we at ‘the newspaper’ like to send out photographers to cover news-worthy events on campus. Our photographers normally approach event coordinators following the event to document key information to include in photo captions. Unfortunately, Tuesday’s Israeli Apartheid Week event allowed for no such friendly exchange. Instead, what was supposed to be a peaceful academic symposium ended with violence and police intervention. The following is a brief account of the event, as relayed to verbally by a ‘the newspaper’ associate. He arrived at Tuesday evening’s Israeli Apartheid Week event entitled “Education under Occupation,” where he was immediately greeted by event volunteers, Jewish Defense League protesters, as well as the Toronto Police. While waiting in line to get in, he and his fellow event-goers were handed
strictly forbade audience members to take photos or video unless they were registered as press. There was light security inside the room as speakers were introduced and proceeded to present talks focused on the state of education during the occupation. This portion was carefully moderated and went along without incident - mostly just applause and a few snickers. Then came the Question and Answer period, which (not surprisingly) was when the debate got heated. Toward the end, one audience member asked if Israel should
Thaer Aliwaiwi Photo: Newton Addo
exist. The answers and comments roused members of the audience; one man was asked to leave. Standing his ground, the man protested that he had been assaulted and would not leave until he got the name of the man The question period, during which who hit him. Another man the conflict ensued. Photo: Newton Addo started yelling that people should not have to be afraid of being assaulted, and that fliers and programmes detailing assailants’ names and faces what was to come; the woman should be known. On that note, standing next to him promptly he stormed out. It was a tense ripped hers in half. ending. Our newspaper corInside, a slideshow ran imrespondent followed quietly ages of the attacks in Gaza and as police ushered the audience the West Bank. My colleague out of a side door to avoid made a beeline for the press confrontation with the JDL log, as the event coordinators protesters. “IAW” - ...continued from page 4 It has become abundantly clear that the recent acts of intimidation against the organizers of Israeli Apartheid Week are part of a systematic response by many universities to silence activism in support of the Palestinian people. None of the campus administrations mentioned above have condemned the killings of civilians or the bombing of the Islamic University in Gaza, the UN schools or the American School in Gaza City. However, despite these repressive tactics
being used by campus administrations across the province, Israeli Apartheid Week has been bigger this year than ever before. The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper or its staff. Our goal is to give voice to the wide variety of peoples and opinions that comprise the U of T community. To have your voice heard in an Op-Ed, please send an email to thenewspaper@thenewspaper.ca Subject: Op-Ed.
Yafa Jarrar
This anecdote is important to note, not only to explain the sparse captions, but also to indicate how far-reaching
The question period, during which the conflict ensued. Photo: Newton Addo
international conflicts can be. It is an unfortunate state of affairs that, even at such a prestigious university like U of T, a suppos-
Photo: Newton Addo
edly peaceful meeting of minds and conflicting viewpoints ultimately met with (alleged) physical conflict.
6 the newspaper
March 5th – 11th, 2009
the arts
BEER • WINGS • POOL • JAVA SPORTS • JUKEBOX • SPIRITS EVENTS • OPEN STAGE • GAMES
Clyomon & Clamydes U of T Drama Festival Huge heaps of hilarity
“To readers with sincerity”
AMANDA CAMPBELL
ANDREW GYORKOS
Theatre Review Bureau
Theatre Bureau
At the end of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the “Mechanicals” present Pyramus and Thisby, usually staged as an absurdist rowdy romp. It has been argued that Shakespeare was parodying Romeo and Juliet, but at the same time, it’s clear that he was also dramatizing a semblance of what other Elizabethan plays rehearsed and performed. Similarly, Clyomon and Clamydes (now playing at the Glen Morris Studio Theatre), written by an anonymous writer between 1570 and 1590, resembles Pyramus and Thisby far more than it resembles A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare and the Queen’s Men is a theatre company that seeks to research the original ‘The Queen’s Men’ (the dominant theatre company in 1580s England, of which Shakespeare was a member), their rehearsal and performance process and the plays that they produced. Therefore, for this production the actors have adopted “historically accurate” rehearsal processes: they do not have a modern director, and the actors receive only their lines and a few cue words instead of a full script. A bookkeeper (Anna Maria Lo Bianco) acts as Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, and Prompter. The actors worked predominantly on their own with an “instructor poet,” who helped with memorization and contextual information. Moreover, the company did not rehearse with one another until one week before Opening Night, when they stumbled through the play in its entirety for the first time in front of an audience. In this way, staging Clyomon and Clamydes is more about process than product. The play
is very poorly written. Or rather it is pathetically, preposterously poorly produced “poetry”, packed plump with platitudes. An account antagonizingly absurdly abounding with adverbs and alliteration. It nestles in the space between a poem and a tongue twister and actually, it’s a rather fun place to be. The story reads like a Monty Python sketch oblivious to its own irony. Two knights. Two Princesses. A dragon’s head. Stolen honor. A noble quest. Mistaken identity. A clownish knave. There’s even a shepherd! It worked best when the actors let themselves play. Paul Babiak was superb as Subtle Shift; each of his actions were crisp and precise and he infused the entire production with limitless energy and a sense of fun. At times the production was even cartoonish: Sasha Kovacs, brilliant as Neronis, Princess of the Isle of Strange Marshes, reminded me instantly of Bugs Bunny in drag. Considering her part would have been historically played by a boy dressed as a girl, I felt she captured perfectly the ridiculousness of how women were characterized in Elizabethan England. It is tempting to want to infuse historical works with a sense of reverence, but in this case, I think that approach may leave audiences disappointed. It is best to remember that Elizabethans, like us, went to the theatre to see a Play. If it were supposed to be entirely Important, they would have gone to see a Serious instead. Clyomon and Clamydes plays until March 8th, 2009. Weds to Sat. @ 8pm. Sun. @ 2pm. Glen Morris Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris Street. For tickets call 416 978-7986 or visit www.graddrama.utoronto.ca or www.plspls.ca.
Paul Babiak as Subtle Shift (L), Matthew Krist as Bryan Sans-foy (R) Photo: Michelle MacArthur
“A Weekend of Competitive Theatre” was on the programme during the 17th Annual U of T Drama Festival at Hart House Theatre this past weekend – and competitive theatre is precisely what the audience got. Between the thunderous applause that a deceptively small crowd managed to generate and the criticisms of festival adjudicator Ron CameronLewis, the festival took the stage to showcase the talents of U of T’s aspiring playwrights. Although the festival is 17 years old, this year marked only the eighth occasion in the history of the event where every performance was a student production. A selection of nine brand new original plays were showcased over three evenings, all contributed by the drama societies of St. Michaels College, Victoria College, UTSC and UTM. The first evening’s three performances offered a good barometer for what one could reasonably expect from the remaining nights. The first production of the evening was Whodunnit?, a typical murder mystery spoof written and directed by Andrew Pignataro of St. Michael’s College. Par for the course in these plays, a member of high society throws a dinner party on a stormy night, bodies start to pile up, and the remaining dinner guests try to discover the killer with the help of a world famous detective. Whodunnit? is built almost exclusively on dramatic irony, since the killer is made known to the audience immediately. While it’s tempting to write this off as a lack of inspiration on the writer’s part, interlaced moments of brilliant humour quashes this criticism. Unfortunately, the performance loses a few points due to the frankly awful sets and the generally stilted acting. After the jerky mayhem of Whodunnit? came the inescapably heavy Crosses from writer/director Jon Mandrozos of UTSC. Mostly a true story, Crosses explores the miasma of feelings that come after contracting HIV from a contaminated needle. The performance was staged using three talented actors, a couch, and other small furnishings, effectively creating a tight and earnest set. However, given the massive voids between lines and a lack of
Serving up a good time Every time since 9T6!
Weekly Events: physical movement around the set, the pacing became choppy and disjointed. So much so that the lack of any appreciable meaning behind the title of Crosses led me to joke that Pause for Dramatic Effect might have been a more appropriate title. The overbearing use of swearing also lessened the integrity of the script. Instead of using the occasional expletive to accentuate dramatic lines, it came off as the puerile notion that vulgar language automatically translates to maturity. The final performance of the evening was To Audience With Sincerity by Laura Delchiaro of Victoria College Drama Society, a play about the quandaries of university students. To Audience With Sincerity looks at the life of Allen, a person so consumed with his own philosophical pursuits that he’s begun to alienate the people around him (this occasionally includes the audience, which he frequently addresses). The narrative was simple, the acting and technical effects were strong, and the set design was flat-out remarkable compared to preceding plays. Although missteps lay in the occasional dialogue stumble or muddied line, To Audience With Sincerity was the strongest production of the evening, and there were no other flaws in the performance that can’t be chalked up to mere inexperience. Both the high calibre of these performances and the strong supporters behind them all but guarantee the existence of next year’s event. Hopefully future festivals will continue to display the talents of U of T’s aspiring actors, playwrights, and tech crews, and they all find fortune with their talents.
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the newspaper 7
March 5th – 11th, 2009
the end
the four-word BY: ANDREW GYORKOS
the jumbler
Place the 12 letters provided into the grid in order to create EIGHT common fourletter words; 4 horizontal & 4 vertical.
BY: ASHLEY MINUK
Unscramble the letters to form common words.
A, A, A, A, C, E, E, I, L, R, S, S
Solution to THIS Four-word in next week’s the newspaper
Use the letters in the highlighted boxes to answer the riddle! Answer for last week’s jumbler: “plays with Pooh” Solution to THIS jumbler in next week’s the newspaper
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$
/MO.
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3G BlackBerry® StormTM 9530 smartphone
249
$
with a $45 voice and data plan on a 3-yr. term6 ($699.95 no term)
95
3G BlackBerry® PearlTM 8130 smartphone
LG RumourTM
$
29
95
on a 3-yr. term7 ($279.95 no term)
0
Samsung CleoTM
0
$
$
with a $35 voice and data plan on a 3-yr. term8 ($449.95 no term)
on a 3-yr. term7 ($279.95 no term)
Also available at these retailers:
Offer ends March 31, 2009. Available with compatible devices within Bell Mobility high speed mobile network coverage areas. Weeknights Mon-Thu, 6pm-7am; Weekends Fri 6pm-Mon 7am. Other monthly fees, i.e., e9-1-1 (75¢), system access (not a government fee) ($8.95), and one-time device activation ($35) apply. Long distance and roaming charges (including foreign taxes) may apply outside your local area. Upon early termination, price adjustment charges apply. Subject to change without notice; not combinable with other offers. Taxes extra. Other conditions apply. (1) With new activation on a 3-yr. term. (2) Received messages include local, international, roaming and service related messages from Bell and exclude premium, alerts and dial-up messages. Sent messages include local messages and exclude international, roaming, alerts, premium messages and messages sent with an instant messaging application. (3) Applies to airtime for calls in your local calling area. (4) Bonus minutes apply during the initial contract term. (5) Simultaneous use of airtime. (6) With new activation on a post-paid voice plan and a data feature with a total min. value of $45/mo. (7) With new activation on a post-paid voice plan. (8) With new activation on a post-paid voice plan and a data feature with a total min. value of $35/ mo. BlackBerry® and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. Rumour is a trademark of LG Electronics Inc. Samsung Cleo is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and its related entities.