Cultural Lessons: Drama/Theatre

Going to live theatre was definitely part of my upbringing, especially after I was 8 or 9 years old.  If you include ballet, my first stage performance was The National Ballet of Canada’s The Nutcracker, around Christmas 1987 or 1988 (I’ll do a post on dancing another day).  By my teens, I was going to at least two shows a year (I was a teen during the HEIGHT of British Theatre Invasion of Toronto (Cameron Mackintosh musicals)).  I saw shows such as Les Miserables, Showboat, Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, etc, as well as plenty of trips to Stratford.  But when it came to actually being involved in the theatre/drama business (whether it be actor, director, producer or whatever….even if you tell people you want to be the next Ang Lee of the stage), it’s a definite no-no.  No wonder it’s so hard for Asians in this part of the world to be noticed in the film and theatre world!  If you don’t build it, no one will come!

This is what I don’t understand.  Why is it okay to play a musical instrument but not okay to be involved in theatre (with the exception of actually going, of course)?  Can’t theatre be seen as an accomplishment, just like playing piano or violin?  Why is acting, “less proper”?  Does it have to do with the historical connection with prostitution?  Can’t acting or directing be seen as a hobby just like classical music?  I did a double major in drama and history just so I wouldn’t look like I was a rebel.  And the drama part wasn’t even a BFA but a straight BA (Honours).

English or French Test for ALL Skilled Immigrants

It could happen, according to the Toronto Star.  Yes, this means that people coming into Canada from countries that speak either English or French will need to pass the test too.  While the ability to speak, read and write English well would mean that people from countries that speak other languages can better adapt here, it does seem insulting to people who’re from, say, Australia.  Also, the language status of people who ARE NOT coming in as skilled workers would unlikely change.  In larger cities, they’re most likely to interact only with people who speak their language and understand the old culture.  This is NOT a good thing.

Of course, as the article says, it cause further delays in the already-backed up application system.

Readers, what do you think?  How well should immigrants’ language skills be?