Hi everyone,

Surprise weekend blog! This post was supposed to be a review of Canadian Stage’s production of Topdog/Underdog. Performances were set to begin yesterday (Sept. 22), but we arrived at the theatre to find a cancellation notice for Friday and Saturday’s performances. An e-mail was sent, but it went to spam.

Now, we theatre folk are understanding people – things happen! I do wish, though, that Canadian Stage would’ve posted the cancellation notice on their social media accounts, as well, instead of just quietly editing their marketing materials to list a new start date. Regardless, I hope to catch this show on a later date.

We’d already paid $13 to park in the Distillery District, and it was a gorgeous, not-too-cool evening, so my husband and I decided to wander around. Eventually, we stumbled across a vague sign saying “Illuminarium: Space.”

Now, there’s something you should know about me: I LOVE space. I took a class in business school called “The Business of Space.” Why? Because space is awesome! (Also the professor was cute).

Back to the point: we paid $45-a piece and headed to space. I cheekily posted on Instagram asking if I should review space, and I’ve honestly never gotten so much engagement. It was a resounding yes. Ask and you shall receive.

So, how was space? Honestly, a bit underwhelming. Though the signs outside had no description of what this thing was, we figured it would be some sort of immersive digital experience. It was. Stars, satellites, meteors, rocket launches…some fun space facts projected on the walls. I could’ve used more facts. It was set to a pretty cool playlist of vibey space music (Radiohead, David Bowie…). I liked how the staff wore spacesuits, but it could’ve been fun if guests were forced to put them on before entering space, for “safety” (fun for some, cruel for others).

The graphics weren’t bad, but one thing I didn’t love was that nothing was projected on the ceilings. You’re telling me to go to space but not look up?

I think the issue was that…we weren’t prepared to go space. If someone, say, was in an “altered state of mind,” perhaps they would’ve been like “woah – space!” Instead, it was like “space – meh.” It was a fun time, but – and I never thought I’d say this – space was not worth $45 to me. Go to a planetarium instead.

More theatre reviews coming out next week. Enjoy the sunny weather!

Ticket link to go to space: here.