Welcome to Toronto!

Did You Know? The CN Tower's six glass-faced elevators
travel at 22 km/hour and it takes only
58 seconds to reach the observation deck.

October/November Events

New York City - November 20-23 What an action-packed four days! Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoyed the extensive Egyptian galleries at the Brooklyn Museum (left) and saw Black Watch at St. Ann's Warehouse (again!). Then spent too little time in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, visited Times Square and 30 Rock plus the Museum of Natural History. On Saturday, headed to Trinity Church (right) and the National Museum of the American Indian then up to Union Square for the Forbes Magazine Galleries and the Rubin Museum of Art. Finished the day at the Awesome 80s Prom. Early Sunday morning (freezing!) it felt like we had Central Park to ourselves. (bottom) Then visited MOMA (top) with a special exhibition on Van Gough. Frost/Nixon - Oct 25, CanStage

It took me a few minutes to "get into" this show. What seemed a little dry at first, quickly became a presentation that perfectly suited the material. Creative build to Nixon's moment of stunning revelation and atonement. The movie enjoyed more and varied locations, but retained much of the original dialogue, since no improvement was necessary.

Lenny Kravitz - Oct 22, ACC

This was a concert worth waiting for – rescheduled from the original March 2008 date. Lenny is COOL, in his furry vest and form-hugging leather trousers, making love to the microphone and, after thanking the audience for joining him for the evening, invited everyone into his universal vibe. And, I followed him all way thru American Woman, Fly Away, Let Love Rule.

Marie Antoinete: Lecture & Film - Oct 18, ROM

The most interesting thing about this lecture was the fact that higher praise was given to the new film The Duchess for the authenticity of the costumes.

Bruce Cockburn Tribute - Oct 11, Hughes Room

Hosted by Jason Fowler, it was a great night of music and personal stories. No sign of Bruce like last year when Gordon Lightfoot dropped by during the tribute to his legendary talent.

Sarah Slean - Oct 4 (early evening)

It was a lovely, intimate evening at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District with Sarah on piano and vocals and her band behind her. The theatre was transformed into a cabaret, complete with candles on tables and a tasty French menu. The hour-long show had no intermission and plenty of variety. Just the right set-up for a late night around town.

Nuit Blanche – Oct 4

In its third year in Toronto and I’ve attended all three. How could I not? Free culture and revelry in downtown Toronto! It was a pleasure to see the iconic Sam the Record Man sign illuminated for the last time. (top) One of my favourite 2008 stops was an interactive display called Stereoscope at Toronto’s city hall. All 960 windows in the towers were equipped with lights that could be orchestrated to display waves, designs and even an old fashioned game of pong, that included scorekeeping and game over images. (middle) Zombies in Condoland was a hoot around the fountain at College Park. Don Coyote was a slow start to the evening, but it was a pleasure to spend some time in the lovely old St. Paul's Cathedral at Church and King Sts. I got a kick out Light Up the Night: Sitting Ducks made up of hundreds tiny ducks on Ryerson’s misty Devonian Pond. (below)

September Events

Lang Lang – Sept 26
He was on fire again in recital with a full house at Roy Thomson Hall. Sporting a little bling on his lapel, Lang Lang's delivery was uniformly flawless, his interpretation utterly compelling and his flamboyant style infectious. He opened the show with Schubert and moved onto Bartok following intermission. I was mesmerized. We heard lot of Debussy then ended with Chopin's Polonaise. Magic! He even stuck around after the show to sign CDs but I'm sure he's not shaking hands anymore like he did with me in Ottawa last year. (Incredibly soft)

Mid-Autumn Spectacular – Sept 27
The Divine Performing Arts show was...well, spectacular. It was a series of discrete tales, often drawn from legends, and introduced by two bilingual and charming MCs. Mongolian Bowl Dance was a delicate exercise in balance and the Drummers of the Tang Court vigorously lead us into intermission. The show included a multitude of exquisite costumes and full backdrop that provided supplementary images that often morphed into the action on stage. A visual delight. A new show will be staged Jan 8-14, 2009.

Toronto International Film Festival - Sept 4-13/08
I'll remember the 33rd annual TIFF as The Year of the Close Up, with more than half my selections displaying intimate moments with the characters. Well...that, and all the pirates in the audience yelling "aaarrrrg" when the anti-piracy message flashed on the screen prior to each film. (you had to be there)

Most of my 15 films were great, with a couple sinking to the bottom of the list by default and one abysmal stinker. Regret missing? The Wrestler, Slumdog Millionaire and It Might Get Loud, but I'll catch them when they are released later in the year.

(below - Q&A for Religuous with Bill Maher and Larry Charles)

Did You Know? Toronto Film & Television Office issued
3,437 location filming permits in 2007.

Film Festival - Sept

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

RocknRolla - d. Guy Ritchie
Absurd, awesome, brutal, convoluted, edgy, gritty, hysterical, loud, raw, sexy, stylish, surprising, wicked, yes. Fantastic! It didn't hurt that Guy was on hand to introduce the film. A great kick off to TIFF 2008.

Me and Orson Welles - d. Richard Linklater
Lovely behind the scenes tribute to one week in New York's theatrical history when Orson Welles boldly staged Julius Caesar in modern dress. Christian McKay delivers a near-perfect voice match developed in Rosebud, his one-man tribute to Welles. I couldn't take my eyes off him when he was on screen. But it was Zak Efron the girls wanted to see at the Q&A. Claire Danes did a fine job as the upwardly mobile assistant who understands at a young age what she needs to do to further her career. (Wink)

Every Little Step - d. James D. Stern/Adam Del Deo
Another behind the scenes story, this time it's the restaging of A Chorus Line in 2006. Complete with archival audio of the original interviews that stimulated the creative juices of choreographer Michael Bennett plus clips from the original production in 1976. We follow the real auditions whittle down from thousands of hopefuls through to final callbacks. The story was a personal and compelling human tale of perseverance. The audience leapt to their feet and whistled as the directors, original dancers (including Donna McKechnie!) and new dancers took their bows at the end of the screen credits.

Religulous - d. Larry Charles w/Bill Maher
After seeing the interview with a bit of the work-in-progress last year, I was comitted to attending the opening that was originally scheduled in time for Easter 2008. Bill, Larry and a small crew travelled around the world asking a few honest questions about faith and received some surprising answers. Maher proves again, that if you give people enough rope they'll likely hang themselves with it. There were so many laughs at our screening, much of the secondary humour was missed. He's just a guy who's trying to understand. Q&A provided a platform for an impromptu rant about the US election campaign. We were also reminded that, despite the results, the production was created with the respect of a curious and doubting mind.

Examined Life - d. Astra Taylor
"Really, we should love garbage," enthuses Slavoj Zizek and I don't know how he did it, but I got a lump in my throat. There is so much musing on humanity in this 87 minute gem that I can't wait to read the transcripts that Taylor plans to publish from the hours of interviews. She brought together "a virtual who's who of contemporary thought" - Cornel West (in the back of a cab), Avital Ronell, Peter Singer (window gazing along 5th Avenue), Swame Anthony Appiah, Martha Nussbaum, Micheal Hardt (rowing a boat!) and of course Zizek examining our societal/cultural relationship to the environment. Thought provoking philosophical material for an early Sunday morning!

Picasso & Braque Go to the Movies - d. Arne Glimcher

I'm certainly familiar with Picasso but did not know that one of his most influential contemporaries was Georges Braque. They were friends at a time when advances in both photography and aviation had captured the public imagination. This excited awareness lead the young painters to reach for new methods of expression such as Cubism. The one-hour film contained fabulous archival footage from the earliest days in film and was followed by a panel discussion with (below, from left): filmmaker, Glimcher; artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel; and artist Chuck Close. It was surprising to learn that Schnabel used his own two fingers – opening and closing – to create the blinking affect in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. All three confessed a preference for low tech approaches and solutions.

The People Speak - d. Howard Zinn, Anthony Arnove, Chris Moore
Panel discussion and 20 minute sneak peak into the work-in-progress. Famous faces have been raising their voices in theatres across America to recreate many brave messages from the past, as assembled in Zinn's million-seller book, A People's History of the United States. The overarching human truth is that changes in our society originate with many small voices coming together to form one powerful and united force. It was a hopeful message that the appreciative audience embraced.

New York, I Love You - d. various
A series of postcards written and directed by New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers that pay tribute to the Big Apple. From the franchise that brought us Paris, je t'aime a couple of years ago. As a work-in-progress, at the moment many stories were intertwined and a singular gem stood alone: Eli Wallach and Cloris Leachman as a senior couple shuffling and yammering their way to an anniversary lunch. Precious. Ethan Hawke was also a surprise highlight.

Ashes of Time, Redux - d. Wong Kar Wai
I didn't see the original 1992 release so can't compare, but I enjoyed this visual extravaganza that showcased a ponderous action/love story. The audience cheered when the man himself appeared on stage following an absence at the Festival of 11 years when he was here to talk about the intriguing Happy Together.

The Hurt Locker - d. Katherine Bigelow

Taut, testosterone-filled portrayal of a US bomb-diffusion squad in Iraq with many surprises...such as my audience's gasps when things and people were blown up. Didn't you see that coming? Bitter truths and human suffering -> just what I'd expect from a story depicting war. Unrelenting realism that perfectly suits the subject matter. Right up there with Black Hawk Down for leaving your palate full of dry, desert dust long after the credits stop rolling.

Three Blind Mice - d. Matthew Newton *****

This film impressed me very much at the screening and still stands as the most moving and memorable of the week. The director (who also acted) nailed the inner turmoil and external manifestations that the three sailors experienced during a 24-hour shore leave in Sydney, Australia. Marvelously naturalist performances, snappy dialogue, bold action and timely tight shots (filmed by a documentary cinematographer in doc style) all contrived to produce a complete sympathy with the three lead characters. Details about the early warning of trouble aren't revealed until deep into the second-half and when it happened, several members of my audience felt the need to leave. This is the kind of straight-up, raw humanity that reduces me to tears and shatters me for days. And, it did.

Krabat - d. Marco Kreuzpaintner

With opening credits to rival the Harry Potter series, I had high hopes for this fairy tale from the Sprockets section of TIFF. The dark, pestilent 1646 era and sinister atmosphere were evocatively rendered and I was particularly enamoured of the cloaked boys shape-shaping into ravens and soaring around the neighbouring forest. Great performances and suitably grimy costumes, too. But, the story was thin, with repetitive complications and a resolution that was just too simplistic. And, too scary for young kids.

Uncertainty - d. Scott McGehee/David Siegel

A young couple tries to decide whether to attend a Fourth of July dinner at her parents' home in Brooklyn or take off to Manhattan for some fun. Following the toss of a coin, we are treated to the engaging concept of both scenarios (and their consequences) being played out. The girl was far more pretty than talented and her lack of credibility was distracting. The two writer/director/producers – who didn’t show up for Q&A – may have been trying too hard to cram everything into a story that should have been kept simple, since the premise was already complicated enough.

Birdsong - d. A. Serra

I should not have believed the NOW Magazine review that praised this abysmal monstrosity. After checking at the box office all week, I lined up for a Rush ticket for this “hot, sold out” screening. At least half the audience escaped during this 98 minute yawn. Filmed in black and white, the story follows the Three Wise Men through the desert on their way to reach baby Jesus. Dialogue is almost non-existent and action (such as it is) takes place in real time with the robed figures plodding across the desert for ages at a time. They appear to be lost, but any humour about their differing opinions is lost as I retreat back into my restful state. I watched the final 10 minutes with my eyes closed and didn’t miss a thing. What did the director have to say for himself? I don’t know…I didn’t hang around for Q&A. Why waste more of my time?

El Greco - d. Iannis Smaragdis

So glad that I dragged myself out for a Rush ticket early on Saturday morning. The film was rich and colourful, the director was charming and the lead actor Nick Ashdon (right) who portrayed the passionate and talented Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) was also on hand to answer questions. Yes, a director can use a balcony scene to advance a love story without referencing Romeo and Juliet (I had to ask!) Then I headed to the Bata Shoe Museum to see the exhibit of many paintings and costumes from the film. A very civilized end to a wonderful week!

August Events

CNE and Medieval Times, August 30
Saw new highlights at the CNE this time, including an amazing Quilt of Belonging (right) that was created as a project by a multitude of new Canadians who wanted to share their cultural histories and personal stories. I could have spent the whole afternoon hearing all the wonderful details about each square: one was made from the shirt that a refugee wore when he escaped his country and made it to Canada. Awesome. The biggest surprise about the Canadian Mounted Musical Ride show (above) was the fact that half the riders were woman. Way to go! It was a great show.

Had dinner at the ever-entertaining Medieval Times show. (right) The games were still fun and the hand-to-hand combat scenes were well choreographed and the addition of a brief falconry display was terrific. It was a great time again even though our red and yellow knight did not win.

Ended the evening on the ferris wheel for an aerial view of the midway. (left)

Avenue Q, Elgin Theatre - Aug 29

You've got to see it to believe it! With adult themes and life challenges, this is an award winning puppet show for grown-ups who can take a joke. And plenty of them! It is a "clever musical that pokes highhearted fun at...sex, racism and homophobia." I fell under the spell of the Bad Ideas Bears: two adorable, fluffy teddy bears who could talk straight-arrow Princeton into spending his parents' money on beer. And, not just a six-pack but a whole case because "it's more economical." It all turns out well in the end, but the journey left me awestruck and breathless. Robert McClure was a standout - performing double duty as the two lead characters, Princeton and Rod.

St. Jacob's and Elora - August 23

It was a perfect day for a visit to the old farmers market in St. Jacob's followed by a Bruce Trail hike to the refreshing Elora Gorge.

Chinese Lantern Festival Ontario Place - August 22

Spent a bit more time at the CNE watching the Super Dogs and getting comfortable in a CF18 (below) before the sun set and the lanterns lit up at Ontario Place (right). It was a colourful world for the third year in a row with animals from all continents and iconic historic and contemporary buildings. Musical and acrobatic performanes enhanced the magic of the warm summer evening on the lake.

Let’s Go To The Ex! – August 16
What a perfect day with perfect weather! It started with a quick visit to the gardens at Casa Loma, and then we hopped on the tour bus for a scenic and amusing ride through town to the Distillery District. Did some sightseeing there plus the obligatory Mill Street beer samples before catching the Queen Streetcar for viewing more Toronto sites. Shoehorned into the Bathurst streetcar bound for The Ex. Hopped off early and beat the traffic to the Princes’ Gates. Just in time for the horse show - Hippike: A Gypsy Legend. Terrific. Also, just in time for Michael Harrison’s ventriloquist show. Very funny. Missed the dog show, but visited the Armed Forces display and tried on a flack jacket and helmet (right). Caught the shuttle across the grounds to see the Green Living building and Arts & Crafts building. Picked up dinner and arrived early at the BMO field for the Veteran’s Day tribute show. Videos on the jumbotron supplemented the great band music that included Ode to Joy and the 1812 overture – love those cannons! The show ended with a flourish as the full moon rose on the horizon. From the north side of the Lakeshore, we managed to see quite a bit of the Chinese Lantern Festival at Ontario Place before catching Rod Stewart’s first few songs farther east at the Amphitheatre. Phew, what a day!

Textile Museum: Afghan War Rugs - August 13
It was the curatorial tour that finally got me to this exhibit, and I'm glad I went. The rugs were colourful, intriguing, troubling and beautiful.

The Way of the World
August 2 - It was the threat of rain that sent me digging through NOW Magazine for a theatrical matinee as entertainment on the weekend. And, that's how I discovered this 300-year-old gem. The play, written by William Congreve in 1700, "concerns lovers confronted by a tangle of intrigue, and their skill in extricating themselves from the mess." It took just one scene to grow accustomed to the historical phraseology before the complications began sounding all too modern. There was inheritance, impersonation, imbibing, and indiscretion. And, a family matriarch named Lady Wishfort. The cleverly up-to-date staging served to anchor the dialogue firmly in our own time. These devices included a Playboy bunny tending bar, telephone messages, in-house intercom and an hysterical image of a "lady" in her undergarments using one of those 1950s giggly weight-loss contraptions. There was much laughter throughout and the penultimate scene, a group dance, brought the house down. Glad I didn't miss the joy of this show on it's final weekend.

August Movies

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - August 1
I haven't seen the first Hellboy installment, so am unable to compare. But, that won't stop me from saying how much I enjoyed No. 2. Our hero, portrayed by Ron Perlman, rankles against authority, as he gets the job done with much unwanted publicity. He's just a guy with extraordinary strength and powers who's only trying to make a name for himself. "You're in the newspaper, again!" cringes his boss. I was smitten with the visually rich sensibility, the dense (if largely subterranean) landscape and the unending array of gadgets. I particularly enjoyed watching as the intelligent, ecoplasmic fog inhabited a wall of lockers and took a few shots at "Red" as payback for smashing his boss in the head. Fun stuff.

Swing Vote - August 5
Kevin Costner steps into familiar territory as "Bud," America's favourite Everyman. It's a role that I like him in, so I really enjoyed this lightweight comedy-with-a-conscience. With a solid supporting cast and homage paid to such classics as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Miracle on 34th Street, it's dang near impossible to criticize. This is not a BIG film but the message resonates with an informed voting population as we watch events unfold in the US. You don't have to love Costner to enjoy this film, but it helps.

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired - August 12
The title refers to the director's status as a criminal in the United States and an acclaimed artist in France. The documentary was made for HBO and has found a select audience at the cinema, which is fitting. Nothing about Polanski or his persona would suit the small screen. He is a larger than life character who was singled out in a 1977 court case that became a mockery of the American judicial system. The back story of his tragic beginnings (his parents died in Nazi death camps) and the love match with Sharon Tate and ensuing horrors helped to paint him as a sympathetic character. Focusing on the lengthy court battles, director Marina Zenovich brings to life the struggle that both the defence and prosecuting attorneys encountered by offering contemporary interviews. Archival film footage and testimonials from friends all support our intimate knowledge of a man who still intrigues and stimulates.

Mongol – August 17
It’s essentially a love story with plenty of graphic battle scenes and a host of historical inaccuracies, but I enjoyed this film so much at last year’s Film Festival I just had to see it again on the big screen. It’s loosely based on the life and times of Genghis Khan, born in 1162: starting as a child picking a bride then through skirmishes and captivities and on to his leadership of the Mongols. Filming took place on location on the Mongolian Steppes with a cast of thousands, mostly on horseback. It’s those thundering, galloping hooves that will linger with me the most. Breathtaking scenery and magical elements, not to mention the authentic costumes and settings, made Mongol an intense and satisfying foray into man’s exotic and barbaric past.

Henry Poole Is Here - August 18
Well, with a free pass from my radio station and based on the recent ads I thought it would be light and entertaining. I must agree with the official Ebert & Roper reveiw - "incredibly low key." In fact, it felt like a short story that was stretched into a feature-length film. Sure it was a well-written story, but without any extra filler...just a lot of slow well-filmed empty spaces - presumably mimicing the emptiness in Henry's heart. Although I became engaged with the characters, there just wasn't enough movie to go around.

July Events

July Movies

WALL*E - love blossoms between a hapless, earth-bound trash compactor and a sleek, air-borne entity probe. Who would've guessed? Not me! I won't spoil the ending, but bring a hanky!

Mama Mia! - two hours of exuberant, musical fun based on the songs of ABBA. Cringe if you must, but your toes will be tapping all the same. I enjoyed three handsome, if vocally challenged, actors each taking turns being confused, surprised, charming and ultimately rising to chivalry. I love a man who can take the micky out of his own persona. Amanda Seyfried as bride-to-be, Sophie is lovely - both visually and vocally.

Brideshead Revisited - Move over Jeremy Irons, Matthew Goode is the new face of bewildered emotional sensitivity in this 135 minute re-telling of Evelyn Waugh's book-cum-mini-series-cum-film. But it's Ben Wishaw's Sebastian who serves up a tour-de-force portrayal of life-long inner turmoil with heartbreaking intensity.

Just For Laughs - July 26
Headliner Jimmy Fallon brought stand up to Toronto. It was a treat to see this young comedic talent on the threshold of stardom. Intellectually, you know he’s put a lot of effort into his perfectly timed routines, but his delivery is so effortless you are easily carried away on his giddy magic carpet. First, it was the imitations with the images of his characterizations (Seinfeld, Cosby, Carson, Pryor) up on a screen behind him. Then, he serenaded us on acoustic guitar with a home-spun diddy about a friend who spits when he talks. Yes, the Just For Laughs format includes a line-up of performers, but they were mere filler in between the comic goofiness that is Jimmy.

The Eagles at ACC - July 22
In a word: harmonies – it was all about the wonderful blending of true vocal and guitar talent. Henley, Walsh, Schmit and Frey were also tight, professional and determined to rise above individual differences and deliver a fun show on Don’s 61st birthday. They were in town to promote The Long Road Out of Eden but served up all the old favourites. I couldn’t believe my ears: five songs in and with a slow start, they delivered Hotel California. Pinch me. The wave of recognition that shot through the crowd was electric. It was one enormous sing-along after another, notably Lyin’ Eyes and Peaceful Easy Feelin'. Joe Walsh is still crazy after all these years, even with a suit on (right). The new music was catchy and the set that opened the second act (there was an intermission- for them or us?) was intimate with voices, guitars and the gents sitting on a row of bar stools.

Archery Intensive at Casa Loma
July 19th
The three hour lesson and practice session thrilled me and left me warn out. It was a great afternoon with master Shawn Adams and the small group.

I'll be watching for the Intermediate class that he is putting together. And, will keep looking for local clubs.

The Music Man - Stratford, July 12
"he's a what? he's a what?" He's a music man and I sang along with him and the rest of the cast to all the old favourites. I was introduced to the musical as a child backstage and have seen the movie version many times. So, I was quite excited to finally see a stage production. It was terrific! Lovely costumes, clever sets and vocal talent worth driving out of town for.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

July 11, Nathan Philips Square had hundreds of wonderful sights, some old favourites from years past and many new artists. I especially love the glass work. The sunshine bakes, bring a hat and sunglasses!

Beyond Toronto – (aka Summer Vacation) Canada Day - July 1st - Halifax
Spent a glorious day in the Halifax sunshine starting with a city tour. Cruised through the historic Citadel before running down to the hill to watch the parade - all pipes and drums and salutes. Headed down to the waterfront for lunch at Murphy's on the water then visited the Maritime Museum. Terrific! Rested up before lobster Subway sandwich (really!) Later, a harbour cruise to watch the Canada Day fireworks.

Wed, July 2, 2008
Nova Scotia - Cape Breton
We left Halifax and headed north through the mist (above), stopping at the quaint old fisherman’s house (right) where we were treated to fresh baked cookies. We carried on past fields of multi-coloured luppins and stopped for a while at Sherbrooke Village – a local history lesson comes alive. We visited homes, including the doctor’s and businesses like the post office and general store. Right around the corner we made a quick stop to watch as the water-powered saw created planks the old fashioned way. Canso causeway, the biggest deal we couldn’t see, welcomed us to Cape Breton Island and our two-day destination, Baddock. View from the window was beautiful. A quick sail before dinner provided a glimpse of a golden eagle.

Thurs, July 3, 2008 – Cabot Trail
Brief early morning hike along the resort's wooded path. A hearty breakfast set us up for the long day ahead. We started out at the Alexander Graham Bell museum where his inventive genius is celebrated. It was then we set out round the Cabot Trail. Breathtaking vistas unfolded as we proceeded north along the coastal road. We stopped at the top – who knew an upland bog could be so diverting? (right) Back home to beautiful Baddock for scallop supper.

Friday, July 4 & 5, 2008
– Prince Edward Island
We boarded the ferry, bus 'n all, to cross the Northumberland Sound. PEI is beautiful and despite the tourism has managed to retain its small-town cleanliness and charm. Dig the red sand beaches! Couldn't miss Anne of Green Gables (left) and the musical was delightful! And the little house in the woods is quaint.

Sunday, July 6 - Monton, NB
Crossed the 12.9 km Confederation Bridge to reach our lobster lunch cruise at Shediack, home of the hundred year old lobster. I helped to haul up a couple of lobster traps and proudly show off one of the catches. We received a lesson on cooking and dismantling a lobster, which we were told, is best eaten cold and unadorned.

Monday, July 7 - New Brunswick - Halifax
Started the foggy day at Hopewell Rocks on the floor of the Bay of Fundy at low tide. (right) It was amazing to visit the world famous location that I've heard stories about as a child in school. As a result of a train derailment, we were shuttled back to Halifax by bus and made it just in time for the famous Military Tattoo, (below) with a cast of thousands (well, almost) and Peter McKay in attendance.