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Arts ...and more ‘Dynasty’ show review › Who knew rich people could have personality? Sonam Kaloti Cristal Jennings (Ana Brenda Contreras)— Arts Editor and my personal favourite—Joseph Anders (Alan Dale), the family butler. There’s oap operas are wild. I’ve never been honestly a lot of characters to keep up Sinto them, likely because I’ve had to with, but somehow Dynasty pulls it off. endure extremely dramatic Indian ones The show leaves enough time for each throughout most of my life. Fast close-ups individual storyline and gives characters of shocked faces paired with orchestral opportunities to develop throughout the horror music still flash in my nightmares. seasons. I will admit though, if anyone can create a Such a character is Fallon, who is DenofGeek.com 'Dynasty' via for image Promotional compelling story with the exact same plot phenomenal. She’s a badass—powerful, about right off the bat. I’m not sure if this is a butler-turned-father to one of Blake’s as every other show on the network, it’s quick, witty, and empowered. She knows is what the 1 percent is like in real life, but kids. He is tasked with everything from the writers of Indian cinema. The general what she wants and how to get it; she often I guess I wouldn’t doubt it. The show gives planting flowers, arranging parties, being favourite among such soaps is the classic goes down the low road in order to fulfill off the impression that rich people live in a parental figure to the youngsters—all the “girl who marries into a family with evil in- her needs. However, while she may seem a social bubble in which they never meet way to dumping bodies in the middle of a laws” trope, and while I wish the interest in like a confident and all-around perfect God anyone who is just a normie. lake. that narrative had died a good fifteen years at the beginning of season 1, her character Despite these tight social bubbles Every character is more charming ago, here we are in the Netflix era with the unravels beautifully. She luckily retains her and seemingly pompous rich people, than any Disney prince, and it’s utterly same evil in-laws—but they’re Caucasian confidence, and it isn’t fake like in most Dynasty’s characters are extremely open. captivating to watch. The writing is this time. shows. I’d love to see more unapologetically Steven Carrington is gay and in a public spectacular and convinces you that the In comes Dynasty, a reboot of the confident female characters like her. Yet a relationship with Sam Jones (Rafael de characters are powerful not only due to 1981 soap of the same name. It features “flaw” she has to work on throughout the la Fuente). There are a variety of shared their material wealth but because of their a wealthy Atlanta family (a dynasty, if show is the fact that she can’t let her guard custody relationships under the Carrington capability for clever and bold dialogue. you will) who have become accustomed down and be vulnerable. She’s a role- roof. No one bats an eye at these Sure the drama feels surreal and to wealth because of their inherited oil model if I’ve ever seen one; she is always relationships, but considering that the oftentimes cliché, but the great character company. They live in a manor and are as striving to be better and protect those she family has to deal with murders, money, development caught me off guard. The dysfunctional as the media would like us to cares about, while trying to take on the and everything in between, the family family is this big pot of completely different believe rich households are. entire world and making more than a few probably doesn’t have the time or mental personalities that you’d expect to hate, The father and the head of the thousand mistakes along the way. space to do so. yet somehow you grow to love them and company is Blake Carrington (Grant Show). It’s strange watching a show where The show never feels too exhausting understand how they fit perfectly together. Along with him, the house consists of his everyone is capable and has a lot of with the drama because comedic relief I’ve never been excited about the trope of son Steven (James Mackay), his daughter influence. Any character on the show who is thrown in constantly. Additionally, the a love triangle before, so that can speak for Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies), his ex-wife Alexis is not already a tremendously rich and comedy is never forced, because it’s been itself. (Nicollette Sheridan), season 1 wife Cristal influential person becomes one very fast. developed to be part of the characters’ Season three will be premiering on Flores (Nathalie Kelley), season 2 wife Usually they have some powerful family in personalities. Take Anders for example, he October 11. another state that the viewers don’t learn Immersed in the storytelling of opera › Arts at One – Vancouver Opera Young Artists event review Sonam Kaloti facial expressions. The story also turned angelic with soft transitions, and that Arts Editor multiple times. The start was loving and paired magnificently with Pepper’s also playful; Oosten jumped and twirled soothing tenor range. Despite beautifully rts at One at Douglas College’s around, grinning wildly. Further in the matching vocals, the choreography made ALaura C. Muir Theatre hosted the story, she showed anger through totally the visual aspect of the performance Vancouver Opera Young Artists on stiff movements. Her voice changed pitch rather uncomfortable. Pepper was September 19. The performing opera often—down and up, up and down—all choreographed to hold his lover group was composed of Irina Medvedeva, over her range to fulfill the story. Taunting Medvedeva, though the two were stiff and soprano, Gena van Oosten, mezzo- and mischievous emotions are perfectly seemed to avoid eye contact until they soprano, Daevyd Pepper, tenor, Nicholas conveyed through staccato and driven neared the end of the song. Borg, baritone, and Andrea Van Pelt, piano, despite seeming like a difficult task. The second duet, “Il core vi dono,” pianist. Oosten’s vocal riffs are clean and her vocal by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, featured The group walked onto the set, control is phenomenal. Oosten and Borg. Oosten’s voice is rather laughing and toasting with wine glasses. Borg later performed, “Votre toast, classic and timeless, working wonderfully It was clear that, although they did not je peux vous le rendre,” by Georges Bizet, with the intensity of Borg’s lower register. speak to each other in English, they otherwise known as the “Toreador Song.” The duet pairings were a good decision. were communicating through the song Borg held the audience on a string, with Although the stiff slow dance and as though it were their native tongue. all eyes on him. This piece was far lower romance pose made a comeback in this Dressed elegantly, they began the night in pitch (with Borg being baritone) yet duet, Oosten saved the awkward tension with a group piece, “Libiamo ne’ lieti the song was immensely theatrical and by grinning at Borg and actively melting calici” by Giuseppe Verdi. Pelt’s quick just as emotionally fulfilling as any other. into his touch. hands on the keys beautifully set a Intense at first, the piece progressively The last few pieces were performed professional tone for the performance. got bouncier until it felt like watching in English, and though it should’ve been Oosten demonstrated amazing a live-action Disney villain song. Borg nice being able to understand what the range and vocal ability during “Una seemed satisfied after his performance— story behind each piece was, the mystery voce poco fa,” by Gioachino Rossini. shooting a cunning smile before stepping and beauty of the classics were favourable. Despite the words being foreign, the off backstage. Nonetheless, these five incredibly talented story was clear since it was acted out by The first duet, “Parigi, O Cara,” musicians put on a spectacular show and way of movement, dancing, gestures and by Giuseppe Verdi, featured Pepper left their audience in awe. and Medvedeva. Medvedeva’s voice is Photo by Barrie Barrington Barrie by Photo