Dominique LeBlanc, Malia Rogers, Ian Sherwood, and Karen Lizotte in The Argyle Street Kitchen Party. Photo by Jeremy Webb.
Last night at the end of Act I of The Argyle Street Kitchen Party at Neptune Theatre the lady beside me yelled enthusiastically, “THAT WAS AWESOME,” and I think that nicely captures the vibe of the audience the entire evening.
The Kitchen Party, conceived by Ian Sherwood and Jeremy Webb, is back and in the larger Fountain Hall venue, after playing successful runs in 2018 and 2019, and even taking the show to The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario earlier this year. The run here had a bit of bumpy start this year as Ian Sherwood was injured and the rest of the cast (Malia Rogers, Karen Lizotte and Dominique LeBlanc) did a few shows in a modified format without him, but happily he is back in the Kitchen now with Special Guests Heather Rankin (August 23, 24, 26, 27) and Bette MacDonald (August 27th).
The show is set up to feel like an East Coast ceilidh, an often spontaneous party that breaks out in someone’s kitchen, and often includes singing folk music that everyone knows, playing musical instruments, and dancing. Throughout the show Sherwood, Rogers, Lizotte, and LeBlanc cram as many East Coast songs and tunes into various medleys as possible, and the audience is encouraged to sing along with them. They also play multiple instruments, do some dancing, and most importantly create an ambiance of friendly frivolity for their theatre full of guests. In Act II a Special Guest arrives and does a short set of their own, which is followed by a couple more Greatest Hits (Atlantic Canadian Style) medleys from Sherwood, Lizotte, LeBlanc, and Rogers.
The show is extremely tight and fast paced, there isn’t a lot of time in between the sets of songs, and just enough banter between the musicians and direct addresses to make the audience feel warm and welcomed, and to give those who aren’t as familiar with East Coast Music a bit of context. Indeed, this show is ideal both for locals who love traditional music and want to sing along, and also for tourists keen to immerse themselves in some Atlantic Canadian culture. I keep wondering whether it might be helpful for the lyrics to be projected on the back wall for folks, or whether that might be too much.
The entire show felt like a highlight reel, not just of East Coast music, but of showcasing all the talents of the musicians in the cast. It’s difficult to pick out a few favourite moments, but certainly Malia Rogers singing “Ave, Maris Stella” always brings the house down to an absolute hush (and right after “Heave Away”!), because it suits her gorgeous voice so well. Karen Lizotte’s renditions of Lennie Gallant’s “Peter’s Dream” and The Rankin Family’s “North Country” are especially strong. I also loved the pretty way they overlapped Raylene Rankin’s signature songs , Leon Dubinsky’s “Rise Again” and her own “Gillis Mountain” together. Dominique LeBlanc’s prowess on the fiddle is such a joy to have mixed continuously into the evening, and she also performs a beautiful version of Allister MacGillivray’s “Song for the Mira.” Ian Sherwood sings two of his own songs “Non Believer” and “We’re Not Alone.” “We’re Not Alone” is from his 2010 album And Now the Fun Begins and captures the beautiful imagery of teenagers falling in love on the rocky shores of our province considering how many others are doing the same in this exact same moment. “Non Believer” is a love song about a relationship with a free spirit, from his 2014 album Everywhere To Go. Together the cast does a fun Sea Shanties medley, including TikTok sensation song “Wellerman,” and a beautiful rendition of The Barra MacNeil’s “Coaltown Road.” Their harmonies together are gorgeous, and they have some really fun choreography as well that allows the quartet to find some sillier moments in the show, which really capture the party spirit. This year the Kitchen Party has been directed by Samantha Wilson.
Heather Rankin performed her set with Jamie Robinson on guitar. In about twenty minutes she managed to give the audience a very accurate taste of what her full concerts are like: she sang two Rankin Family songs, one song in Scottish Gaelic, one of her own songs from her Juno Award Nominated first album A Fine Line, and one cover of a song made famous by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. Obviously Rankin’s voice is both iconic and beautiful, but it’s her infectious spirit and the way she knows how to connect with an audience that makes seeing her shows live so special and so fun. Also, her rendition of the Gaelic folksong “O Teannaibh Dluth is Togaidh Fonn” isn’t recorded on any of her albums or with the Family, and I think her rendition of this song is one of the most beautiful in her large anthology of music. You’ll have to come to the Kitchen Party to hear it!
In all, I heartily agree with the exuberant woman sitting next to me. I had a really terrific night at The Argyle Street Kitchen Party. I have seen this show at least five times over the years, and I think it keeps getting better and better. It really is one that you can keep coming back to, and after the last three years we’ve had, what a joy to be able to go into a room and sing with our friends and our neighbours again. I know you feel the same way too.
The Argyle Street Kitchen Party plays until August 27th, 2023 at Neptune Theatre’s Fountain Hall (1593 Argyle Street, Halifax). Shows are at 7:30pm Tuesday to Sunday, with matinees at 2:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, and no show on Friday August 25th. Tickets range in price from $33.00 to $60.00, depending on seating. They are available on this website or by calling the Box Office at 902.429.7070 or visiting in person at 1593 Argyle Street.
Neptune Theatre is fully accessible for wheelchair users. For more Accessibility Information click here.
