Brian Bedford has Passed Away

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Edward Brain

Veteran British actor Brian Bedford has passed away at the age of 80.   Mr. Bedford had been suffering from cancer.

Mr. Bedford was born in Morley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom on February 16th, 1935 to Arthur and Ellen Bedford.

Mr. Bedford studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art between 1952 and 1955, and won a Tony award in 1971 for The School for Wives.  He would go on to earn another six Tony awards.  His seven nominations are the second most in the history of the Tony awards.  He would also win five Drama Desk Awards. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Edward Brain

I just want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

2015 just seemed to fly by in now time, but with a lot of activity!

A lot of different things occurred in 2015, and recap some of the things I discussed: Continue reading →

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2015: In Review

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Edward Brain

As we approach the New Year, I’d like to reflect on some of the events that have occurred over the past year.

January

Canada celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of its first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Edward Brain

Christmas Tree at Nathan Phillips SquareI just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

I hope you get to spend time with your family and friends.

May all the blessings of Christmas be found for you and your family.  Continue reading →

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Team Canada Announces Team for World Juniors 2016

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Edward Brain

Team Canada, the defending gold medal winners, have announced their final selections for the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship.

The team consists of the following members:

Goalies:
Mason McDonald
Mackenzie Blackwood
Samuel Montembeault Continue reading →

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Nicholas Smith Passes Away at 81

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Edward Brain
The cast of Are You Being Served? in late 1981.

The cast of Are You Being Served? in late 1981. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nicholas Smith, the veteran actor who famously played Mr. Rumbold in the long running comedy Are You Being Served?, has passed away at the age of 81.

Mr. Smith was born in Banstead, England on March 5th, 1934.  He trained as an actor at RADA, and appeared on stage on the West End, the Bristol Old Vic, and Broadway.  He would go on to have small roles on television, on series such as The Saint, The Avengers, The Champions and Ace of Wands.

In 1972, Mr. Smith landed the role for which he would be fondly remembered, as Mr. Cuthbert “Jug Ears” Rumbold in the series Are You Being Served?  He would stay with the series until it finished its run in 1985.  He would later reprise the role in the follow up series, Grace & Favour (called Are You Being Served? Again! in North America) in 1992 and 1993.  He also appeared in the movie version of the show in 1977. Continue reading →

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103rd Grey Cup

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Edward Brain
The Grey Cup

The Grey Cup

The 103rd Grey Cup is set to go tomorrow night in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  The Ottawa RedBlacks (12-6) take on the Edmonton Eskimos (14-4).

The game creates a rematch of the 69th Grey Cup as it is the first time since 1981 that teams from Ottawa and Edmonton are playing each other for the Grey Cup.

This Grey Cup also marks the first appearance of the current Ottawa team, the RedBlacks, in the title game – the RedBlacks joined the league in 2014.  It also marks the first time since 1981 that any team representing Ottawa made it to the Grey Cup game – the then Ottawa Rough Riders folded in 1996, and the Ottawa Renegades (2002-2006) never represented Ottawa in the Grey Cup. Continue reading →

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David Canary has Passed Away

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Edward Brain

Veteran television actor David Canary has passed away at the age of 77.

Mr. Canary was especially known for his roles as Candy Canaday on Bonanza, and as twins Adam and Stuart Chandler on All My Children.

Mr. Canary also starred on the stage, in productions of Kismet, Man Of La Mancha, The Fantasticks, The Seagull, and Macbeth. Continue reading →

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Remembrance Day 2015

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Edward Brain

Remembrance Day 2014 003 (1024x768)Today, November 11th 2015, we mark Remembrance Day in Canada and the sacrifices made by our military during the many conflicts Canada has been involved in.

Canadians have a long tradition of joining the military when required and to successfully fight in many difficult situations in order that we all may enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today.

So, if you are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in Canada, please thank a veteran.

As an appropriate remembrance for all the sacrifices, here is “In Flanders Fields“, the poem written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae: Continue reading →

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Tannhäuser a Success

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Edward Brain

The Metropolitan Opera broadcast a performance of their current run of Tannhäuser as part of their Live in HD series on October 31st.

The performance starred Johan Botha as the knight Tannhäuser, Eva-Maria Westbroek as Elisabeth, Michelle DeYoung as Venus, Peter Mattei as Wolfram von Escenbach, Günther Groissböck as the Landgrave of Thuringia, Ying Fang as the Young Shepherd, Noah Baetge as Walther von der Vogelweide, Ryan McKinny as Biterolf, Adam Klein as Heinrich der Schreiber, and Ricardo Lugo as Reinmar von Zweter.

The production was conducted by Artistic Director James Levine.  The production team was Otto Schenk (Director), Günther  Schneider-Siemssen (Set Designer), Patricia Zipprodt (Costume Designer), Gil Wechsler (Lighting Director), and Norbert Vesak (Choreographer.) Continue reading →

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