CRITICS’ PICKS

THEATRE

What: Taking Leave Where: Langham Court Theatre When: To March 18 Tickets: $16, $20, $22 (250-384-2142) Why: Directed by Angela Henry, Taking Leave is Nagle Jackson’s dramatic comedy about an English professor struggling with the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease. His three daughters visit and discuss whether to put dad in a home. The subject is no laughing matter, but the play has its share of amusing moments. — Adrian Chamberlain

CHORAL MUSIC

What: Carmina Burana Where: Royal Theatre When: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $32 to $82 (250-385-6515) Why: Carl Orff wrote his famous vocal composition in the mid1930s. Carmina Burana is a cantata based on a collection of medieval writings. In terms of pop culture, it’s a rather omnipresent work — you can hear it in everything from video games to the film Natural Born Killers. This concert, featuring a cast of hundreds, is conducted by Tania Miller. The soloists are tenor Benjamin Butterfield, soprano Suzanne Rigden and baritone Michael Nyby. They are joined by the Victoria Choral Society and the Victoria Children’s Choir. — AC

THEATRE

What: Spark Festival Where: Belfry Theatre When: March 9 to 26 Tickets: $10, $30 (250-590-6291) Why: The Belfry Theatre’s Spark Festival offers some of this city’s most adventuresome theatre each year. This time, more than 80 theatre artists from across Canada will invade Fernwood. The menu is eclectic and varied, ranging from Atomic Vaudeville’s new musical BlissKrieg to Evalyn Parry’s SPIN, about the first woman to ride around the world on a bicycle in 1895. Take a chance — you’ll likely not regret it. — AC