He graced the stages of the Stratford Festival for close to 55 years. He Performed with legendary actors John Guilgud, Maggie Smith, Alec Guinness, Christopher Plummer, Sybil Thorndike and Jessica Tandy. He was among those performers that transcended the title of actor as mortal. He was a true Canadian and remained one regardless of lure of higher success or monetary wealth. As Soulpepper Theatre company' s Artistic Director Albert Shultz has put it. "As an artist and as a man his gifts are impossible to count. We will not see his like again". William Hutt dead at 87 due to complications from Leukemia.

William Hutt was born in Toronto on May 2nd 1920. Though the theatre was a place he seemed drawn towards at an early age, he was dismayed from it by his family and only performed in school productions. From 1941-1946 he served in the Seventh Canadian Field Ambulance corps on the European fronts in World War II. Traveling around often and witnessing the horrors of humankind gave him a strong perception of the emotion and human spirit he would begin to portray for the following 60 years.

"I was so young at the time," recalled Hutt in a Maclean's article, "and I was introduced to death before I was introduced to life. Seeing that young blood spread over the fields of Italy and France, I became cognizant of the value of the individual soul, and that has had a great effect on my feeling about the roles I play..."

First off, I'd like to say congrats to all of the Dora Award Winners. This past year has had some amazing theatre productions, and the work is to be applauded. Moving on, here are some indy warm-ups to Fringe (which starts in just under two weeks). Enjoy!!!

MOJO

Any play that's been described as, "Beckett on speed, savagely funny, in fast forward, with no time to wait for Godot..."( -- Observer) has to be somewhat engaging. DropShip Entertainment's takes a crack at this story about bar employees with dashed dreams in a power struggle following the mysterious death of their boss. Runs until June 30th.

The Dispute

This intense drama about human isolation and its pain employs both disabled and non-disabled performers to punctuate the message, offering an interest take indeed. Runs until June 29th at the Workman Theatre

Menage of 3 by Tennessee

Scaramouche Theatre hits Parkdale's Rhino Bar and Grill for three short one-acts by Tennessee Williams. Runs until June 30th.

Photo: Neetu Baines

Life as a mirror image on the stage. A chance to do things the way you've always wanted to. Taking that chance to be your own person. These are some of the key messages that are covered in SHIFT, a rousing example of the bold style of underground theatre that has always and still runs in the city.

Theatre creator Stuart Knight explains his process and history as "...writing live shows over ten years ago, after reading a self help book. After reading stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things with their lives, I was inspired to share this message with a mass audience. I didn't want to offer this message as a speech, but rather through the multiple art forms of theatre."

The show is based on a true story of a man trying to discover the meaning of life by following his instincts rather than popular conventions. Its purpose is to create a satirical and ironic mirror of human existence for those that believe that life is at its best 'outside the box'.

"My intention is to wake people up. Particularly those who are ready for it. We say that the show is a fun kick in the face and that's exactly it. It's a show that stops you in your tracks and forces you to question everything you hold to be true...if you don't walk away from this show feeling something, then you didn't see the show. "

SHIFT runs until tonight at the Theatre Centre. Created by Stuart Knight.

Hey Gang. This weeks picks for theatre represent a lot of Indy stuff playing at established houses. Always a nice mix when that happens. Or a complete disaster!!! Well here's what the buzz is saying.

Exposed: Love, Sex, Death and Art

Come As You Are is producing the new work by Annie Sprinkle & Elizabeth Stephen. Artistic and colourful presentation fill this politically motivated show about anti-gay movements. Runs to Jun 21. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

The Paris Letter

Jon Robin Baitz's piece about a businessman's past coming to haunt him plays at the Tarragon Theatre Extra Space Runs until June 30th.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Back Burner Productions version of the tale made most famous by Fantasia's Mickey Mouse and lively mops sequence. Puppets and actors tell the story of an orphan who works for an evil sorcerer. Runs to Jun 23 at Equity Showcase Theatre.

When Thurman crashes he crashes hard!! Flin Flonning tells the story of someone that is lost and our journey is about how far he falls rather than how he learns and transforms from that point.

"It's easy to get bogged down in feeling sorry for yourself if you insist on comparing yourself to others. Active change is always good," says Aviva Armour-Ostroff, director of the production. "Flin Flonning is the story of Thurman, a thirty something waiter wanna be actor trying to find his place in the world, or lack thereof. He struggles with the success of his best friend, and his close relationship with his second-best friend. It is a dark comedy."

Thurman (Vladmir Jon Cubrt) is surrounded by people that love him including his best friend Pardo (Jeff Kassel) and second best friend Meredith (Melissa Bourne). We also hear of his mother and ailing grandmother who send him money to come be with them. Yet he cannot resolve himself to any sort of happiness. Every act those people do around him is rather misinterpreted as an act of aggression towards him. Within this sad state of mind everything is magnified negatively to the point where he takes his toaster and attempts to...'make toast".

Hot! Hot! Hot!! So with weather like this why on earth would one want to go to the theatre????

Okay. I hear that. So do many of the major theatres in the city who are currently wrapping up their seasons. But Fringe is around the corner and since we're only a few weeks away we've got to look hard to find something, don't we? Fortunately there are a few crazy cats that are running their own games and taking a chance during this quiet time of year. So go ahead and give them their due.

Shift

A friend of mine says this one is well worth seeing. The website says the same. It also says that people can't wait to see Stuart Knight's next show. Who? Stuart Knight. I can't seem to get more details so the mystery is somewhat intriguing. The website claims the show will leave you speechless. Yay!!! Huh? Well, why not? Runs until June 21st at the Theatre Centre.

Slaw Festival

The Swearing Jar by Kate Hewlett; Bentley Burnout by Allison McWood; The Rub by Brent Barkley; Less Is More Miserables by RJ Fenton; Chew On This by Pierce Williams and Incompetent In Love by William McGill all premiere in this community festival. Runs to June 16th, Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre. Brought to you by the Cabbagetown Theatre Company.

Trapped Spaces

An evening of seven minute plays featuring short plays by Elizabeth Megson, Arthur M Jolly, Miranda Laurence, Lynn Snyder, Tom Sime and others. Runs to Jun 16th at the Alchemy Theatre. Theatre Inspirato.