Tag: Launch Pad Productions

“It’s Very Deep & Groovy” When Launch Pad Theatre Dances to E.A. Poe’s Red Death

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Show times:
October 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm
October 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 at 8:00pm

Tickets available via www.thecastle.ca or call 250-592-5323 to book.
This show will also return for 2018 during the same month. Interested? Consider making a trip to Victoria, BC to experience Halloween 2018 like never before.

Launch Pad Theatre‘s adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe‘s best known stories into one work is not wrapped under the masque of, but with the approach of the Red Death. This seminal work is also the title of this production. It acts as a container for other narratives as audiences are treated to a partial tour of the historic Craigdarroch Castle located in Victoria, BC. A few new areas are used so the hosts of this gathering — Prospero (David Radford), Virginia (Christina Patterson), Christopher (Jared Gowen), Elizabeth (Diana Nielsen) and Vincent (Trevor Hinton) — can divert everyone from the chaos outside. Instead of the gothic, this take is set in the 70’s at the height of the disco craze.

Life in this palace is pretty groovy. Prospero tells us why we have all gathered and to prevent discord from happening, folks are broken up into smaller groups so the party can continue in other chambers. Here and away from their leader’s prying ears, personal stories are shared and they are from the master of the macabre’s library of works. Three out of the eight tales will get heard in one night. As for which of them will be known depends on the colour-coded key folks get to choose before the start of the show.

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[Victoria, BC] Picks for the Halloween Season … or is that Two?

Halloween BackgroundIn the Celtic tradition, the Harvest Moon is a time to make merry. On October 5th, we will hail the season for everything it offers. Bring on the rain (or snow in other parts of the country)!

With these picks of the season, I’m going to try my darndest to enjoy the growing darkness that’s about to surround this world. In this particular case, it’s in what’s availiable locally (which also includes a few mainland activities):
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Spending an Evening with Batman’s Brain in Victoria, BC A Summary

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By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

To spend “An Evening with Batman’s Brain” is a perfect way to prepare for next week’s ultimate grudge match in Zack Snyder‘s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The UVic Centre for Biomedical Research presented this discussion March 16, and the two hours went by rather quick. Normally, at a comic convention, these discussions get one hour to get the point across. Two hours are not that common. To add an appearance of The Joker, Two-Face and Scarecrow corralling Batman onto center stage only helped set up the night and provide audiences with a bit of entertainment in what the Clown Prince of Crime exclaimed as “Nerds on parade. Boring!”

I was wide awake and soaking as much of the discussion in. The information presented was jam-packed with fact-filled insights into the psychology of Bats, the dilemmas he faces and the punishment he takes as a man in his prime. The comics and movies (mostly Chris Nolan’s) are referenced, and a bit of the animated series (where my knowledge comes from) is referred to. Dr. Travis Langley (Psychologist at Henderson State University), Dr. Mark D. White (Philosopher at College of Staten Island), and Dr. E. Paul Zehr (Neuroscientist at University of Victoria) each gave their presentations examining this character. Noted CBC Radio personality Shelagh Rogers moderated this panel. She opened the floor for audiences to ask questions and if only this event lasted three hours, I’m sure fans will get more than a general sense of what makes Batman tick.

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Enter Arkenham Abbey If You Dare …. A Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Arkenham Abbey Poster(1)

October 15 – 31, 2015
Tickets available on site or online at

Craigdarroch Castle.
1050 Joan Crescent
Victoria, BC

Launch Pad Productions proves that they will fly high and soar through the cosmos as they take audiences on journeys of nerdom, Shakespeare (due in April in an adaptation of Shakespeare‘s The Taming of the Shrew) and beyond. First up is their homage to all things Batman. Arkenam Abbey wonderfully makes use of the Gothic tradition to show the decay of the soul as The Nightwatchman (Justin Carter) journeys through the hallowed halls of this ‘hospital’ and confronts its denizens. Most of them have a sordid past with him and they challenge him to face his fears than theirs as both sides — nicely represented by Black Jack (Trevor Hinton) — face the inevitable. Just who will dominate the night?

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Looking at Launch Pad Production’s Past, Present & Future with Arkenham Abbey, a Preview

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Arkenham Abbey Poster(1)

Christina Patterson and David Radford are the heart and soul of Launch Pad Productions, a Victoria, BC based theatre company, and they have a new production coming up that will be a delight to Batman fans. They are presenting Arkenham Abbey, a horror comedy which pays homage to the comics, TV shows and films about this Dark Knight. It will be playing at Craigdarroch Castle starting October 15th and leading up to Halloween.

I started noticing them when I decided to make attending shows at The Castle an annual tradition. They appeared in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2009) and Dracula: The Blood is the Life (2012/13). In alternating years, I saw what they did at 2011 the Victoria Fringe Festival was more than fun. They showed a true love for the medium. Tara Firm and the Lunar War Chronicles (2011), according to Radford, is a Teslapunk styled story than steampunk. His imaginative spirit is captivating and he knows how to write for his wife, Christina. I had always hoped for a continuation of this saga and was told that if there’s a venue to continue it at, it would be at the Victoria Event Centre. Hopefully I did not miss any advertising for it, but alas there were years where my nose was stuck behind many an academic book. In what I took from my past inquiry with Radford, I instantly knew he was a literary nerd and it seems there’s many in this community who are just the same. When the cast included my favourite one-man act, Charlie Ross (One Man Star Wars and One Man Lord of the Rings), I knew everyone in this company are big-time pop culture geeks.

Batman is loved by all. Ross will be putting on his condensed version next year in Vancouver and for Patterson and Radford, they have Arkenham Abbey to treat Victorians with. For the folks who thought Giggling Iguana Productions has left the building without leaving a surprise will be glad to know that Launch Pad is the group who is taking over.

“We were very privileged to have Ian pass this torch to us,” said Patterson, “We will continue to uphold the standard of great Halloween entertainment modelled by Giggling Iguana.”

To truly discover who they are, I had a chance to talk to this couple about their beginnings, their company and what’s in store for this play.  When I look at the towering spires at this venue, I’m often wondering if there are bats up there or if a ghost is lurking behind The Castle’s walls.

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