Editor’s choice

The Nether

Deeply disturbing, The Nether takes you into creepy corners of the Internet in a virtual-reality obsessed near future. On one level, the 2016 Fringe hit is a detective story, about the interrogation of the creator of the Hideaway—a Victorian-themed virtual world where pedophiles pay to live out fantasies. On another, technology-ethics expert Jennifer Haley’s play dives into hard questions. Is it possible to “act without consequences” on the dark web? Are there victims, or crimes, when everyone’s using avatars? As the New York Times said, “as a parable for where we’re headed on that big old highway in the digital sky, ‘The Nether’ exerts a viselike grip.”

The Nether is at the Firehall Arts Centre from Wednesday (January 18) to January 28.

High five

Five events you just can’t miss this week

Stomp

Follow the sound of incredibly complex crashing, banging, and slamming.
January 13 to 15 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Sean Lynch

Found objects, video, and storytelling meld in work by a fascinating Irish artist.
To February 5 at the Charles H. Scott Gallery

The Fighting Season

A scorching theatrical look at the fallout from war.
To January 21 at the Vancity Culture Lab

As I Lay Dying

William Faulkner, a 40-mile funeral procession, and dance fuse cleverly with theatre.
January 19 to February 12 at the Arts Club’s BMO Theatre Centre

Oil Pressure Vibrator

Sex and technology make a racy combo in this Korean show at the PuSh fest.
January 17 to 19 at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts