As noted below, Vancouver Opera promoted the current production of Don Giovanni with some live performance on the Expo Line this Sunday:
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That’s Jeff Gladstone in the mask and fancy threads, having improvised his way from Surrey Central to Stadium/Chinatown station, clearly enjoying himself and disarming not a few passengers with some gibberish Italian.
A great idea, I think, to use one of our most important public spaces – the transit system – for some truly public interaction. Breaks the bubble we surround ourselves with to maintain civility in crowded spaces. But it’s fascinating to see how people respond, once they perceive that an unexpected display of emotion (or a guy in a mask) is not a threat.
There’s always a range of reactions – charmed smiles, suspicion and studious disregard:
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Jeff was intrigued that those who looked like they’d be the most closed were often the ones most open to his approach. Especially the two Philipino ladies who joined right in with a chorus.
