The London Free Press
London perfectly placed to overachieve on ice
There are 48 hockey players representing Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Six have close London ties. That's a proud achievement for the puck-mad city in Southwestern Ontario that so often outperforms its population on the biggest sporting...
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Accused in explosives, guns probe denied bail
One of four people charged in a weapons and explosive investigation was denied bail. Fei Han, 25, was ordered detained by justice of the peace Chantal Bertrand Friday. He is the first person charged in the case to seek bail. Another accused, Zekun...
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THREE-MEDAL DAY
Bo Horvat celebrates after scoring Canada's third goal during a 5-0 win over Czechia on Thursday to open Olympic men's hockey Group A play at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy. The hockey win was part of a big day for Canada, with...
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TRAGEDY IN TUMBLER RIDGE
The world's attention has turned toward the quiet, tight-knit community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after a mass shooting killed eight and injured 27 others. It is one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history. On Wednesday morning, police...
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CHEMICAL CASE IN COURT
Fei (Frank) Han sat down in the prisoner's box and swallowed hard. For the rest of Tuesday, he stayed quiet during his day-long bail hearing while justice of the peace Chantal Bertrand heard the pitch by his defence lawyer to have him be released from...
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Don't cut homeless aid: helpers
Dozens of homeless outreach workers and advocates have written city politicians asking them to shoot down proposed changes that would see homeless outreach and housing options scaled back or redirected, with one letter dubbing it “a full-scale assault”...
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LET THE WINTER GAMES BEGIN
Flag-bearers Marielle Thompson and Mikael Kingsbury lead Canadian teammates into the opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, Friday. It was one of four ceremonies, including the main one in Milan, held to open the far-flung...
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NEW LEASE ON LIFE
Staffer Shannon Richter says it's great that the new owner of the venerable London Fitness Forum on Jalna Boulevard is investing in renovating and revitalizing the business rather than razing the building for townhomes — quite a change for an operation...
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Chem probe trio in drone video
Three of four people charged after London police found chemicals they say could be used to make explosives at a home appear in a promotional video for a startup seeking funding for a drone defence system. Jerry Tong, 27, Zekun Wang, 26, Fei (Frank)...
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WAITING FOR WILDLIFE
Photographer Paul Roedding has been wintering near Algonquin Park to photograph its amazing wildlife and blog about wolf and moose sightings. While back in London to visit family, he found he missed area stalwarts such as cardinals and mallards and set...
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`SMOKE' ON THE WATER
`Sea smoke' rises around pedestrians on the Gibbons Park bridge from the nearly completely frozen Thames River in London Monday. Bitter cold overnight left a layer of hoar frost on city trees, while air rising from the river condensed quickly into the...
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READY FOR BATTLE
London Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza is gearing up for a two-front fight this year. Not only is council's budget chair seeking re-election in October, but she's also awaiting further treatment for breast cancer, determined not `to let cancer define me.'
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31 guns, kilos of drugs seized, 11 charged
A brazen shooting at Victoria Hospital more than a year ago was the catalyst for an investigation that led to the seizure of dozens of guns and millions of dollars' worth of drugs, London's police chief says. Senior London and provincial police...
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`MASSIVE PARADIGM SHIFT'
Dr. Michael Chu shows off a device his team used in a groundbreaking double cardiac procedure — 2 “large, complicated operations” at once — at University Hospital in 2024. The procedure could add decades to patients' lives, London Health Sciences...
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Trespass call leads to chemical cache
Four men face charges after a trespassing call at Western University led police to a cache of chemicals that could be used to make explosives, London police say. Campus police responding to a trespassing call at the engineering building about 1:40...
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`RADICAL HOSPITALITY'
Rector Kevin George of St. Paul's Cathedral said he wasn't about to go to sleep Friday night, knowing they had space to let people escape the dangerous cold, but weren't letting them in. St. Paul's, with help from other local Anglican churches and...
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NEW KID IN TOWN
At a time the automotive industry in Southwestern Ontario has been rocked by volatility and uncertainty, Toyota offered a reminder Friday on the importance of stability. The automaker, with plants in Cambridge and Woodstock employing more than 8,500...
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`Bad winter,' deep freeze strain shelters
Heading into a days-long deep freeze, city hall is opening extra overnight beds in a community centre as two other agencies fear there may not be enough room indoors to keep London's homeless safe. Environment Canada was predicting temperatures would...
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`CANADA LIVES BECAUSE OF' U.S.
President Donald Trump said Canada should be more `grateful' to the U.S. Wednesday, a day after Prime Minister Mark Carney urged middle powers to call out unnamed bullies and hegemons in a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
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RUNNING WITH THE BIG DOGS
Alisa Castrilli of Mother Teresa tries to work the puck in tight in front of CCH goalie Alessandra Curcio during a TVRA Central Varsity girls hockey game at Carling arena.
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WALMART ON WONDERLAND
Ali Soufan, president of York Developments, discusses plans for a 140,000-square-foot (13,000-square-metre) Walmart Supercentre — the retail giant's fifth London location — announced recently for The District, York's commercial development at 3515...
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Chinese EV jobs for Canada?
Like a double-edged sword hanging over Canada's auto industry, the promise of Chinese-made EVS sold in Canada may offer hope for new auto jobs here, but also threaten delicate trade talks with the U.S. Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement that...
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FENCING WITH THE FEDS
Mariane Yorga and Julian Wieder are among Idylwood Road residents who fear a federal research centre behind their properties will reclaim chunks of their yards and replace an existing 1.5-metre wood fence with a 2.4 m chain-link barrier, topped with...
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`Nuisance' blaze won't stop towers
A weekend blaze that gutted a core-area building will not change plans for a residential tower development on the site. York Developments removed heritage elements from the buildings at Ann and St. George streets to be included in the tower project,...
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WE'RE BEING DEALT A MELT
Arthur Dave of London watches the ducks in Harris Park in Thursday's sunshine, as the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority warns it expects local waterways `to keep rising due to runoff from rain and melting snow,' amid expected unseasonably warm...
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STUDY IN STYLE
Parminder Khosa, one of 12 students in a first-of-its-kind barbering program at London's Westminster secondary school, gives fellow student Abdulqudos Al Kebsi a trim. For more on the course, which teaches students the basics and how to refine their...
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WONDERFUL WINTER WORKOUT
Pavel Skowron, seen here in Gibbons Park Monday, says last year was great for cross-country skiing in London and this year `is two weeks ahead of last year.' Skowron, an endurance athlete since his childhood in Poland, had migrated to marathon running,...
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PRO PASSION, LOCAL RING
Seleziya Sparx puts Zondra Lee in a headlock at a Hammerlock Pure Wrestling show in Thamesford. Today, we take a closer look at the London-based promotion, which has been bringing pro performances to communities across Ontario since 2021.
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BIG PICTURE GUY
Hyland Theatre projectionist Victor Liorentas has worked to bring 70mm movies back to London for years. Now, the cinema's bringing a rare print of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair to town for the 1st large-format screening here in...
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NO FUN LIKE SNOW FUN
Declan Lawrence, 9, of London, was ready for anything winter could throw at him at Boler Mountain Tuesday — except maybe climbing out after throwing himself into powder show this deep. `You got yourself into it, you can get yourself out,' said mom...
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Winter weeather wallop just won't quit
Ugly holiday weather that's lashed the London region should continue into today, Environment Canada warns, amid snow squall and wind warnings that arrived on the heels of last week's ice storm. Early Monday, the national weather agency issued an...
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AUTO SECTOR ANXIETY
Even with all the uncertainty swirling around Ontario's auto industry, especially from trade tensions with the United States, it's been a solid year for vehicle sales, industry insiders say. Out on dealership lots, where Big Auto meets the consumer,...
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SEASON'S GREETINGS
Inspired by a snowy trip to a grocery store he frequented while living in London, artist Ben Reeves was struck by how the familiar became the `otherworldly.' The result was his painting, Snowfall (A&P Plaza, Adelaide), selected by The London Free Press...
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JOLLY CHILLY MARKET
Ava Sylvain, 5 holds her hot chocolate close while picking up some needed heat from a propane heater as she and her mom, Kim Sylvain, enjoy the music at the Covent Garden Market's Holly Jolly Holiday Market, featuring artisan and food vendors, lights...
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HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Hundreds of pupils at an east London elementary school, who heavily rely on meal programs during the school year, will take home holiday meal kits to keep them fed throughout the holiday break. “When the schools let out for the holidays and the...
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CREWS PULL PAIR TO SAFETY
St. Thomas firefighters rescued two residents from their apartments Thursday morning as a blaze extensively damaged this building at 517 Talbot St., also housing the Lucky Kitchen Buffet and a gym. No one was hurt, but the building will have to be torn...
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Coach Marshall dismounting Mustangs after 18 years in the saddle
After 18 years helming the Western Mustangs football team, Greg Marshall is stepping away from the purple and white. The 66-year-old announced Wednesday he'll retire as head coach once a replacement is found. “I've been thinking about (retirement)...
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WINTER'S NOT HERE YET?!?
Jason Craig clears Nine Mile Road east of Adelaide Street Monday. Winter may not begin till Dec. 21, but the 8-year Middlesex County plowing vet says they got `hammered' Sunday after an already busy week. But higher temperatures, even rain, are in the...
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VERY MERRY-GO-ROUND
Vanessa Wilkinson, 14, rides the Holiday Musical Carousel with her father, Edward, in London Friday. `It reminds me of when we used to visit the fair when I was a little kid,' she said. The carousel, at King and Talbot streets, is offering free rides...
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MERRY MEDICAL MELODIES
Kylea Potvin, left, Maria Parent, Muriel Brackstone and Scott Ernst of Clinic Notes perform Christmas music for patients and staff at Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre in London Thursday. It's the 12th year the musical medical professionals have performed.
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SNOWBOUND SLOWDOWN
Traffic crawls by as crews clean up after a tractor-trailer carrying vehicles flipped on Highway 402 West near Glendon Drive in Middlesex Centre — one of 400+ SW Ontario crashes OPP were called to in 12 hours amid heavy snow Wednesday morning.
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BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGE
The London Abused Women's Centre announced a new plan aimed to strengthen front-line support and drive change needed to end men's violence against women and girls. Shifting Power, Centering Survivors: Our Path to Systemic Change is the name of the...
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BOOM AND GLOOM
Two communities close together, but poles apart in how big auto's electric vehicle bet has paid off. Winning a VW battery megaplant has buoyed St. Thomas, but Louie's Pizza & Pasta's Costas Kourtesis has lost business with Ingersoll's Cami Assembly...
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GOING TO THE MAT
Ismaeel Abdullah of Banting grapples with Desmond Kublinskas of Saunders in the 47.5-kilogram weight class during a TVRA four-school wrestling meet at London's H.B. Beal secondary school Thursday. The event drew competitors from all three schools and...
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IT'S SNOW TIME
London's ski season is expected to begin a few days earlier than usual, with Boler Mountain potentially opening late next week. “If the weather holds true, we should get open late next week, but it all relies on the cold temperatures and our...
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KEEP THE GIGGLES GOING
You know those friends who annoy you so much you can't stop laughing? St. Thomas Aquinas's Sophia Norman, 14, sure does, as Molly Gilmore, left, spurs giggles with regular whacks from inflatable noisemakers during Tuesday's Golden Puck high school...
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IT'S A PARTY, NOT A PROTEST
Bubbles blow through the air and people dance as about 100 people gather on the Wortley Road bridge over Horton Street in Old South London `to share joy, connection and a whole lot of love' one week after masked members of a self-styled nationalist...
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Mayor's complaint led to probe
A former London councillor is alleged to have harassed and extorted Mayor Josh Morgan, a development one analyst said could prove to be a distraction for his re-election bid. A source with knowledge of the charges, who asked not to be named because...
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CATCHING A WAVE
London's Adam Johnston huddles behind his telephoto lens to capture huge waves driven by 80 to 90 km/h westerly winds in Port Stanley Wednesday. Canadians should brace for an abrupt start to winter next month, a Weather Network outlook says.
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Packed classes, broken gear
Students at a downtown high school are decrying a lack of support and supplies tied to budget restrictions at the deficit-ridden Thames Valley District school board. Grade 11 student Chloe Laporte, who studies dance at H.B. Beal, said “overall the...
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CATCH, SPRINT, REPEAT
Catholic Central's Keyshawn Manning charges downfield away from Bishop Ryan Celtics defenders on a 50-yard touchdown run in the second half of the OFSAA Western Bowl senior football game at the University of Guelph on Monday. The Crusaders rolled to a...
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ALL IS BRIGHT
The Magic of Lights has returned to Fanshawe Conservation Area. Hundreds of vignettes made up of thousands of lights are featured in the 2.5-kilometre drive-thru display. The experience began Friday and continues through Jan. 3.
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Showing `spirit of our community'
Hundreds attended Victoria Park on Tuesday for Remembrance Day, battling snow and slush in downtown London for the annual observance at the park's cenotaph. “Thank you all for coming on this cold November day,” master of ceremonies Jim Swan said to...
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LEST WE FORGET
As new-fallen snow caps military gravestones in London's Woodland Cemetery, residents in communities across our region will pause to honour Canada's military veterans and war dead on Remembrance Day. For more on some area observances,
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WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
Fiona Cairns holds a portrait of her dad, Canadian military piper Maj. Archie Cairns, and his medals outside the Delta London Armouries hotel, near his Legion veteran banner, one of many in the core reminding Londoners about Remembrance Day.
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DOWN IT COMES
Schouten Demolition`s Daniel Dickison, of Strathroy, works with excavator operator Dennis Chicoine to tear down the former St. Peter's Catholic school Thursday. The building, at 535 Clarence St. beside St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica, was built in 1959...
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BLACK DAY FOR GREEN ROOFS
Ontario repealing a Toronto bylaw requiring green roofs on many developments is bad news for London-area suppliers, say Live Roof Ontario's Kees Govers, left, Next Level Storm Water Management's Sasha Aguilera and Alena Dawson and Hillen Nursery's...
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PULLING THE STRINGS
Puppeteer Ronnie Burkett, who's usually kept to the shadows during his halfcentury as a performer, steps into the light to show off the skill and precision behind Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionnettes' new show, Wonderful Joe, which opened Thursday...
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Recycling redo may leave businesses, others with more bills – or more trash
Upcoming changes to Ontario's blue-bin collection, including in London, could leave some businesses and institutions either with hefty contractor bills or sending their recyclables to the landfill, observers say. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, thanks to...
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STAR POWER IN THE HOUSE
London-raised TV legend David Shore was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Forest City Film Festival — and a surprise appearance by actor Hugh Laurie, who starred in the long-running Shore-created hit series House and flew in for the...
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A NIGHTMARE ON KING STREET
Brett Poff says it's mainly his wife, Angela, who goes all in on decorating their Ingersoll home for Halloween, “but I'm into it too.” Their King Street West display features some 20 towering figures, some of which stay up all year. But it pays off:...
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RECYCLING REVISION
Beginning in the new year, all municipalities in Ontario will be absolved of their duty to pick up the contents of recycling bins. That duty will fall to a non-profit representing manufacturers of those materials. WHAT ARE THE CHANGES? Beginning Jan....
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STILL IN THE GAME
Eighty-nine-year-old Art Quigg still laces `em up to play Senior Hockey three times a week at the Western Fair Sports Centre. That likely makes him London's — and possibly Ontario's — oldest active player. Why? He just loves the game.
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SEASONAL STROLL
Maddy Wilson, with baby Tessa, and Julie Jeffries make the most of Monday's cool, bright conditions with a walk through the forest at Springbank Gardens in London. Walkers can look forward to more sun, a high of 12 C and breezy conditions today. For...
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THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS
With the next municipal election a year away, who will — or won't — be running for office next fall? Mayor Josh Morgan, centre, seen here at this week's HART hub opening, says he intends to run again. Will he be challenged? What about the council...
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Ingersoll braces for Cami impact
General Motors' sudden move to halt production at Ingersoll's largest employer has town officials fretting over the effect on its tax base and businesses that rely on the plant. Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie said GM'S promise to assess new...
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A MATTER OF DEGREES
Western students wait to cross the Canada Life Place stage to get their diplomas during fall convocation ceremonies continuing today at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Western is holding convocations downtown for five years until better facilities are available on...
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DEADLY NORTH-END CRASH
A man died after two SUVS collided head-on Tuesday morning, closing a stretch of Fanshawe Park Road for hours, emergency officials say. After fire crews cut occupants of both vehicles free, the badly injured drivers were taken to hospital, where one...
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THEY CALL HER NIGHTMARE
After 5 years of being thrown into the ring with little time to train, losing to bigger fighters, revenge is sweet for London's Natasha Spence, 40, who won the World Boxing Association female international super welterweight title this month in...
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SAFETY CONCERNS
Londoners appear somewhat happier about their quality of life in the city, but safety, homelessness and housing affordability worries are top of mind for many locals, a new Nanos Research poll suggests. According to the survey, commissioned by the...
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PLANE AND SIMPLE
In the halls of Montcalm secondary school in London sat an old yellow plane, well past its prime — until transportation technology instructor James Patrick got to work. The plane, a Cessna 150, was acquired by a former teacher in 2020 and had been...
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THE (REALLY) BIG PICTURE
Victor Liorentas, projectionist at London's Hyland Theatre, shows off their newly restored 1960s- vintage 70 mm projector. The large-format film, offering “much more detail,” than digital due to higher resolution, promises to be a treat for movie lovers.
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BE PREPARED FOR LAUGHS
Honey Pham, as Annie, falls, flinging her script skyward over John Ullyatt, playing Dennis, in The Play That Goes Wrong, which opened Tuesday at the Grand Theatre. The farce, directed by former artistic director Dennis Garnhum, tells the story of a...
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