Reviews

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Enter one actor cloaked in magic

"Libby Skala does a marvelous rendition, in an evocative Middle European patois, of her grandmother's velveteen, old world charm that sheaths a steel will.  Skala is magnetic in a part that clearly means the world to her."

        - Bruce Weber, THE NEW YORK TIMES

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CBC Radio Review

"The real winner for me was this play called Lilia!  One of the best performances I've seen - absolutely dazzling acting.  Skala's ability to transform herself from her ninety-year-old grandmother into herself as a child, moving right through being a mature woman is absolutely magical and alchemical.  A riveting performance, brilliant play.  Go and see this!"

        - Robert Enright, CBC RADIO, Canada

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Lilia! by Libby Skala

"A unique and spellbinding production.  The story sweeps across the dramatic events which shaped Lilia Skala's life, and uses the intimate conversations between grandmother and granddaughter to reveal how experience forges the mind.  A play of tremendous candor which is at once appealing and a privilege to view.   I feel grateful for the experience and not a little inclined to marvel..."

        - Jonathan Wilson, THE SCOTSMAN

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Summer Productions Shine - Libby Skala channels her grandmother in 'Lilia'

"The high bar of performing excellence is more than met by Libby Skala, who enacts her own grandmother with an uncanny blend of transformative force and ravishing charm.  On a bare stage, the actress creates her grandmother's entire world through the chimerical power of her voice and facial expressions.  The audience is enthralled.  She delightfully evokes the rich mannerisms and irresistible coquettishness of other Viennese legends like Elisabeth Bergner and Luise Rainer."

      - David Noh,  THE NEW YORK BLADE

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True life grandma story warm and honest

"Lilia! is not merely a tribute.  It is a thoughtful piece of history - political, theatrical and personal - and a loving exploration of the relationship between grandchild and grandmother.  Skala is a beautiful, graceful performer with a merry, mischievous style.  She is an enchanting performer and the show a well-crafted gem."

        - Jo Ledingham, THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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Summer Arts Review

"Lilia! is a granddaughter's education, deliciously poignant.  It's always astounding to be reminded of how much worthy theatre is out there, invisible most of the time beneath the glare of Broadway."

        - Bruce Weber, WQXR (New York Times Radio)

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Lilia!

"That the granddaughter so precisely captures the lilt and cadence of her grandmother's voice is impressive.  Even more admirable is her ability to suggest the emotional complexities of the older woman....Brave...and wise, too."

        - Mark Dundas Wood, BACKSTAGE

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Critics Pick:  Tribute to grandmother a lovely, warm memory

"The exclamation mark is entirely appropriate, since Lilia Skala was very much the kind of person who lived! life!  Libby Skala wraps herself in a colorful scarf and rich Austrian accent to become her grandmother.  The effect is electric.  Lilia's adventures are so interesting that the 90-minute solo show could consist entirely of her stories and still come in a winner."

        - Peter Birnie, THE VANCOUVER SUN

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Play a wonderful tribute to writer's grandmother

"In a fully three dimensional portrait, Libby brings her grandmother alive in an entertaining and impressive manner. Truly this is one of the most riveting of such plays one is likely to see; indeed, the only similar play which equals it is The Syringa Tree.  Lilia! demands to be seen."

        - Alan Charlton, THE BC CATHOLIC

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Lilia's stage mirror of grandma's Nazi experience

"Manchester Jewish Museum's decision to bring Libby Skala's tribute to her grandmother, the actress Lilia Skala, was an inspired one...Libby filled the stage, empty save for two plain chairs, with a tour de force of acting.  Anybody who thought a monologue without any props or costumes might be boring was sadly mistaken.  But what was of particular interest to the largeley Jewish audiences was seeing how the Holocaust impacted on Libby's non-Jewish grandmother and half Jewish father and uncle."

        - John Fisher, MANCHESTER JEWISH TELEGRAPH

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Opening acts wow packed theatre

"Has there ever been a more charming performer than Libby Skala and a more enchanting story packed with gentle wisdom?"

        - John Fisher, LEEDS JEWISH TELEGRAPH

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LILIA!

"Lilia Skala's life [is] superbly dramatized by her granddaughter, now a fabulous thespian, lauded by critics all over North America for this solo performance.  During the opening night performance, you could hear a pin drop during the dramatic pauses, which is undoubtedly a mark of great acting.  This is truly a great and moving play, and I highly recommend it."

        - Ed Farolan, REVIEW VANCOUVER

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The Georgia Straight

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COPYRIGHT © 2008 LIBBY SKALA

Last Updated: 6/17/2009

LIBBY

SKALA

Performer Writer