Preview: 4.48 Psychosis

Necessary Angel Theatre Company presents 4.48 Psychosis at Berkeley Street Downstairs Theatre

4.48 Psychosis weaves the imaginative with the unimaginable, presenting audiences with a glimpse behind the veil of severe clinical depression. British playwright Sarah Kane’s work (Blasted, Crave) has garnered acclaim for its stark, sometimes disturbing authenticity in its representation of isolation, dependency, relationships, and love. With 4.48 Psychosis, Kane creates a cragged landscape where the reality of depression is laid bare.

It couldn’t possibly be misconstrued as a cry for help…

 "Despite the fact that Sarah Kane wrote this before killing herself, I don't see the play as a suicide note, quite the opposite, I see it as a life note,” says director Vikki Anderson. “So much of the play is about love and life and how to survive when you can't hold onto either because you are so lost in your own despair. But there is always a reaching out, a striving to live."

Directed by Vikki Anderson, 4.48 Psychosis features Laura Condlin (Elektra, Stratford), Raven Dauda (Intimate Apparel, Obsidian Theatre Company/The Canadian Stage Company) and Bruce Godfree (War Horse, Royal National Theatre of Britain/Mirvish Productions) and with the creative team completed by award-winning designers Bonnie Beecher, John Gzowski and Yannik Larivee.

As 4.48 Psychosis is free-form in both treatment and casting, Necessary Angel has taken this opportunity to surround the piece with a number of ancillary events, including

The inaugural incite! Salon, featuring acclaimed conceptual/installation artist, Iris Haussler and DT Max (author, Every Love Story is a Ghost Story)
commissioned works (visual, film, literary and performance) presented in the Canadian Stage lobby
a special tribute to Sarah Kane on February 20th (including a screening of her short film Skin as well as discussion with Vikki Anderson, Brendan Healy and Jennifer Tarver) marking the 14th anniversary Sarah Kane’s death

“We need to continue provoking discourse amongst those who engage with the company: artists and audience alike.  The themes, feelings, emotions Sarah Kane expresses in 4.48 are present everywhere, everyday.  Each day is a struggle,” says Matt White, General Manager. “We cannot shy away or pretend that these feelings of despair do not exist.  What we are hoping to offer is dialogue about how to survive this struggle - to shine a light in this darkness.  To live another day.”  

4.48 Psychosis
Berkeley Street Theatre (Downstairs)
26 Berkeley Street, Toronto
February 11 – 23, 2013 @ 8PM PWYC - $38
416. 368.3110 or online here
www.necessaryangel.com
facebook.com/NecessaryAngel
@necessaryangel

Dora Mavor Moore Award Winners

Buddies in Bad Times - stole the show, winning Outstanding Production, Best Direction as well as a slew of design awards. Below is the entire list of winners from The Star article.

2011 DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS RECIPIENTS

GENERAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

Outstanding New Play

Anusree Roy Brothel #9

Outstanding Production

Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

Outstanding Direction of a Play / Musical

Brendan Healy Blasted

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role

Joseph Ziegler Death of a Salesman

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role

Yanna McIntosh Ruined

Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role / Ensemble

Jane Spidell Doc

Outstanding Set Design

Julie Fox Blasted

Outstanding Costume Design

Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Outstanding Lighting Design

Kimberly Purtell Blasted

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition

Richard Feren Blasted

Outstanding Musical Direction

Harry Bicket Orfeo ed Euridice

Outstanding Choreography

Peter Darling Billy Elliot

Outstanding Touring Production

The Andersen Project Canadian Stage presents Ex Machina

INDEPENDENT THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

Outstanding New Play or New Musical

Sky Gilbert The Situationists

Outstanding Production

Through the Leaves The Company Theatre

Outstanding Direction

Nina Lee Aquino paper SERIES

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role

Gavin Crawford The Situationists

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role

Sandy Duarte Blood

Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role / Ensemble

Christopher Stanton The New Electric Ballroom

Outstanding Set Design

John Thompson Through the Leaves

Outstanding Costume Design

Melanie McNeill Madhouse Variations

Outstanding Lighting Design

Trevor Schwellnus Nohayquiensepa (No one knows)

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition

Richard Lee paper SERIES

DANCE DIVISION

Outstanding Original Choreography

Roberto Campanella & Robert Glumbek in between

Outstanding Production

Out of Context — for Pina

Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage presents Alain Platel/Les Ballets C. de la B.

Outstanding Performance

Juan Ogalla Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold

Outstanding Original Sound Design/Composition

Joby Talbot Chroma

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES DIVISION

Outstanding Production

Routes Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People presents Concrete Theatre

Outstanding Performance

John Cleland Edward The “Crazy Man”

MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION

Outstanding New Musical / Opera

Rufus Wainwright Prima Donna

Outstanding Production

A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role

Tony Sheldon Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role

Kate Hennig Billy Elliot

OPERA DIVISION

Outstanding Performance

Alan Oke Death in Venice

Outstanding Production

Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company

2011 Dora Nominations Announced!

At a press conference held June 7 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 171 nominations for 197 eligible productions that opened between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011 for the 32nd annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards which honour excellence in the performing arts in Toronto.

For the 2010-2011 season, 106 producing companies registered eligible productions. A total of 35 Dora Awards plus the Silver Ticket Award, the Pauline McGibbon Award and the Audience Choice Award will be given out in a glittering ceremony hosted by Craig Lauzon and Michaela Washburn on Monday, June 27 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in the Bluma Appel Theatre.

In the General Theatre Production Division, Soulpepper Theatre Company leads overall with 9 nods for 6 productions in this division (plus 1 in the Musical Theatre Division for a total of 10 nods). Buddies in Bad Times Theatre's Blasted and Factory Theatre's Brothel #9 tie for top production with 7 nominations each.

Thank you to Broadwayworld.com

GENERAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God - The Africa Trilogy Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

OUTSTANDING TOURING PRODUCTION
The Andersen Project Canadian Stage presents Ex Machina
Studies in Motion - The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge Canadian Stage presents the Electric Company Theatre
South Pacific Dancap Productions Inc.
L'Orchestre D'Hommes-Orchestres Performs Tom Waits The Theatre Centre
Jake's Gift Factory Theatre presents Juno Productions

OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY
Roland Schimmelpfennig Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God - The Africa Trilogy
Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Maja Ardal The Cure for Everything Theatre Passe Muraille
Brendan Gall Wide Awake Hearts Tarragon Theatre
Anusree Roy Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Andrew Kushnir The Middle Place Canadian Stage and Theatre Passe Muraille collaborate to produce

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY / MUSICAL
Philip Akin Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Nigel Shawn Williams Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Gina Wilkinson Wide Awake Hearts Tarragon Theatre
BrenDan Healy Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Allen MacInnis A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Sterling Jarvis Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Joseph Ziegler Death of a Salesman Soulpepper Theatre Company
Diego Matamoros Oleanna Soulpepper Theatre Company
David Ferry Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Ash Knight Brothel #9 Factory Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Yanna McIntosh Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Pamela Sinha Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Michelle Monteith Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Jane Spidell Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God - The Africa Trilogy
Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Anusree Roy Brothel #9 Factory Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE / ENSEMBLE
The Ensemble Our Class Studio 180 Theatre in association with Canadian Stage
Oliver Dennis Jitters Soulpepper Theatre Company
Jane Spidell Doc Soulpepper Theatre Company
Ari Cohen Death of a Salesman Soulpepper Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Scott Reid The Clockmaker Tarragon Theatre
Robin Fisher A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Julie Fox Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Joanna Scotcher The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Glen Charles Landry À toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou Théâtre français de Toronto

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical
Bette Midler; James L. Nederlander; Garry McQuinn; Liz Koops; Michael Hamlyn; Allan Scott Productions; Roy Furman/Richard Willis; Terry Allen Kramer; Terri and Timothy Childs; Ken Greiner; Ruth Hendel; Robert G. Bartner; Chugg Entertainment; Michael Buckley; Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley; Bruce Davy; Thierry Suc/TS3; Volcano Project; Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Shawn Kerwin Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Robin Fisher A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Joanna Scotcher The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Charlotte Dean The Misanthrope Tarragon Theatre

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Thomas Hase Prima Donna Luminato
Richard G. Jones The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Lorenzo Savoini A Midsummer Night's Dream Soulpepper Theatre Company
Kimberly Purtell Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Ken MacKenzie (Re)Birth: E.E. Cummings In Song Soulpepper Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SOUND DESIGN/COMPOSITION
Richard Feren Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Mike Ross (Re)Birth: E.E. Cummings In Song Soulpepper Theatre Company
Mike Ross A Midsummer Night's Dream Soulpepper Theatre Company
Debashis Sinha The Post Office Pleiades Theatre
Craig Vear / Christopher Madin The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
Tim French [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
Teddy Masuku / Heidi Strauss Shine Your Eye - The Africa Trilogy
Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Ross Coleman PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Peter Darling
BILLY ELLIOT The Musical David Mirvish presents, Universal Pictures STAGE PRODUCTIONS, Working Title FILMS, Old Vic Productions in association with WEINSTEIN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Jen Shuber A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
Steuart Bedford Death in Venice Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra national de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera
Pablo Heras-Casado Nixon in China Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Chicago Opera Theatre, Opera Colorado, Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera and Portland Opera
Harry Bicket Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago
Diane Leah A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Anthony Bastianon [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
OPERA DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
Prima Donna Luminato
Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago
Nixon in China Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Chicago Opera Theatre, Opera Colorado, Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera and Portland Opera
La Cenerentola Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Houston Grand Opera Association, Welsh National Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu and Grand Théâtre de Genève
Death in Venice Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra national de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
Sondra Radvanovsky Aida Canadian Opera Company
Lawrence Zazzo Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago
Jane Archibald Ariadne auf Naxos Canadian Opera Company presents Welsh National Opera Production
Alan Oke Death in Venice Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra national de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera

MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical Bette Midler; James L. Nederlander; Garry McQuinn; Liz Koops; Michael Hamlyn; Allan Scott Productions; Roy Furman/Richard Willis; Terry Allen Kramer; Terri and Timothy Childs; Ken Greiner; Ruth Hendel; Robert G. Bartner; Chugg Entertainment; Michael Buckley; Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley; Bruce Davy; Thierry Suc/TS3; Volcano Project; Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Parade Acting Up Stage & Studio 180 Theatre
BILLY ELLIOT The Musical David Mirvish presents, Universal Pictures STAGE PRODUCTIONS, Working Title FILMS, Old Vic Productions in association with WEINSTEIN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
[title of show] Angelwalk Theatre

OUTSTANDING NEW MUSICAL/OPERA
Conceived by Timothy French and Avery Saltzman To Life Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company
Rufus Wainwright Prima Donna Luminato
The Ensemble (Re)Birth: E.E. Cummings In Song Soulpepper Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE
Will Swenson PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Tony Sheldon PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical: Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Justin Bott [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
Darren A. Herbert Parade Acting Up Stage & Studio 180 Theatre
Allen MacInnis A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE
Shelley Simester [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
Ma-Anne Dionisio Miss Saigon Dancap Productions Inc.
Louise Pitre A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Kate Hennig BILLY ELLIOT The Musical David Mirvish presents, Universal Pictures STAGE PRODUCTIONS, Working Title FILMS, Old Vic Productions in association with WEINSTEIN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Gabi Epstein To Life Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company

INDEPENDENT THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
The Company Theatre Through the Leaves
Eldritch Theatre Madhouse Variations
Doghouse Riley Productions Blood
Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts paper SERIES
Cahoots Theatre Company A Taste of Empire

OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY OR NEW MUSICAL
Sky Gilbert The Situationists Cabaret Company
Maev Beatty and Erin Shields, with Andrea Donaldson Montparnasse Groundwater Productions in association with Theatre Passe Muraille
Jovanni Sy A Taste of Empire Cahoots Theatre Company
Eric Woolfe Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Darrah Teitel The Apology Rabiayshna

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION
Trevor Schwellnus Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Philip Riccio Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Peter Pasyk Blood Doghouse Riley Productions
Nina Lee Aquino paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Audrey Dwyer The Apology Rabiayshna

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Nicholas Campbell Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Matthew MacFadzean Tom's A-Cold Starving Artists / Nextstage Festival
Gavin Crawford The Situationists Cabaret Company
Eric Woolfe Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Cyrus Faird Mojo Ezra's Atlantic Co-op

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Sandy Duarte Blood Doghouse Riley Productions
Rosemary Dunsmore The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada
Peggy Baker Are You Okay Peggy Baker Dance Projects in association with Necessary Angel Theatre Company
Maria Vacratsis Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Kyra Harper Vincent River Cart/Horse Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE / ENSEMBLE
The Ensemble The Apology Rabiayshna
The Ensemble paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
The Ensemble Montparnasse Groundwater Productions in association with Theatre Passe Muraille
The Ensemble Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Christopher Stanton The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Steve Lucas The Situationists Cabaret Company
Lindsay Anne Black The Atomic Weight of Happiness Stand Up Dance
John Thompson Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Jackie Chau Brown Balls fu-GEN Theatre Company
Camellia Koo paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Rosemarie Umetsu The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada
Melanie McNeill Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Jung-Hye Kim Montparnasse Groundwater Productions in association with Theatre Passe Muraille
Jessica Botelho Paradise By The River Shadowpath
Camellia Koo paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Trevor Schwellnus Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Michelle Ramsay paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Michelle Ramsay The Atomic Weight of Happiness Stand Up Dance
Kevin Hutson Hard Times Puppetmongers in association with the night kitchen and Theatre Passe Muraille
Gareth Crew Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN/COMPOSITION
Thomas Ryder-Payne Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Richard Lee paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Mike Filippov Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Christopher Stanton The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada
Anna Fritz 300 TAPES The Theatre Centre/Public Recordings Co-production

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES DIVISION
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
The Grace Project: SICK The Sick Collective / Jack Grinhaus and Sarah Miller-Garvin / Next Stage Festival
Routes Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People presents Concrete Theatre
Offensive Fouls Hustle N' Bustle Theatre in association with Roseneath Theatre
Head à Tête Theatre Direct
DISS - An interactive presentation about the risks of gang involvement Mixed Company Theatre, a division of Maple Leaf Theatre for Social Responsibility

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
The Ensemble DISS - An interactive presentation about the risks of gang involvement
Mixed Company Theatre, a division of Maple Leaf Theatre for Social Responsibility
The Ensemble The Grace Project: SICK
The Sick Collective / Jack Grinhaus and Sarah Miller-Garvin / Next Stage Festival
Olaf Sham Edward The "Crazy Man" Workman Arts Project of Ontario
John Cleland Edward The "Crazy Man" Workman Arts Project of Ontario
Colin Doyle Offensive Fouls Hustle N' Bustle Theatre in association with Roseneath Theatre

DANCE DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
Harbourfront Centre's World Stage presents Dave St-Pierre Un peu de tendresse bordel de merde! (A little tenderness for crying out loud!)
The National Ballet of Canada Chroma
ProArteDanza Šin betweenŠ
Luminato presents Chunky Move Two Faced Bastard
Harbourfront Centre's World Stage presents Alain Platel/Les Ballets C. de la B. Out of Context - for Pina

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
Wayne McGregor Chroma The National Ballet of Canada
Tedd Robinson Sticks DanceWorks presents tiger princess dance projects
Sharon B. Moore The Great Farini Project Sharon B.Moore/ Derek Aasland productions
Roberto Campanella & Robert Glumbek Šin betweenŠ ProArteDanza
Andrea Nann & Brendan Wyatt Beside Each Other Young Centre for the Performing Arts presents Dreamwalker Dance Company

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
The Ensemble Chroma The National Ballet of Canada
The Ensemble Šin betweenŠ ProArteDanza
Peter Chin Sriwijaya CanAsian Dance Festival
Juan Ogalla Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
Brian Solomon The Great Farini Project Sharon B.Moore/ Derek Aasland productions

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN/COMPOSITION
Nicolás Hernández, José Valle Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
Lorenzo A. Castelli Homeland Godot Art Productions
Joby Talbot Chroma The National Ballet of Canada
Gord Downie Beside Each Other Young Centre for the Performing Arts presents Dreamwalker Dance Company
Charles Quevillon Sticks DanceWorks presents tiger princess dance projects


We will see you all there! Congratulations to all the nominees.

Review: Blasted

Blasted, by Sarah Kane, maybe one of the most horrifying theatrical experiences to sit through. The three person play that takes place in a single hotel room is both extraordinarily haunting and sad. Themes range from war to death, to sex and gender, to addiction and mental health. It is severe, harsh and completely overwhelming. There is starvation, the death of an infant and subsequent cannibalism. Male and female rape, both, vividly occur. And one character's eyes are gouged and eaten, in a vicious assault. It is an intense one hour and forty five minutes. A treatise on violence. But through it all we bare witness and come to terms with what human nature is capable of. Blasted proves to be, one of the most poetically charged commentaries on the worst aspects of the human condition and mind that we have ever seen.

The story follows a middle-aged journalist and a young woman who are held up in a hotel room while a war rages outside. It is a disconnected, timeless, yet vaguely familiar scene. As we follow their sordid relationship we are aware of danger lurking everywhere. In act two, the stakes rise when a severe and starving soldier enters and takes control, becoming the dominant character squaring off with our journalist. The final act is a cluster of intimate moments that will leave you aghast.

Part of what makes this production, of Ms. Kane's masterpiece, is the acting. Ian, our journalist, played by David Ferry emulates both the sadness and angry desire of a man trapped in a body and world he has no control over. His alienation has triggered a massive drinking problem and an obsessive, sometimes violent love affair with a younger woman. It is a physically demanding part, as well as a complicated and terrifying creation. And Mr. Ferry delivers with aplomb. The younger woman, Cate, is played by the fascinating, Michelle Monteith. Ms. Monteith seamlessly draws forth the many sides of the character, at times with almost manic force. But, behind it there is believability and confidence. She brings you to the brink and teeters. A compelling performance, in a stirringly written part. Dylan Smith, as the mysterious solider, also holds his own in this talented cast, although at times his accent makes him difficult to understand.

The set, designed by Julie Fox, is magnificent. The use of space is inventive and dislocating. In fact unlike other productions at Buddies the audience enters the theatre from the rear. Ms. Fox has utilized the depth by sectioning off part of the space. At first it seems as though it has simply been partitioned, but what is revealed is like the remnants of a catastrophic event. It begins with a swanky, sterile, hotel setting but becomes dark and derelict. The shift makes a profound impact . Furthermore, the sound. The effects used during the set change intervals can not be described as pleasant. In fact they are jarring and heighten the sense of time. A sort of sound torture. But it fits the mood, and adds to the impact of the show. It is well conceived and really nicely executed by Richard Feran.

Blasted is tense and captivating. Silent pauses grip scenes. Nothing is rushed and the outcome allows the spectator time to absorb what is being presented which is often harsh and thought provoking. In the dark, as scenes changed, you'd wish for it to be over, for the characters' pain to come to any kind of end. But during the scenes we were totally engrossed, fascinated by the downward spiral.

New Artistic Director of Buddies, and the director of Blasted, Brendan Healy, has chosen a highly complex and challenging second season opener, and we applaud him for it. The decision shows an academic awareness and passion for bringing intelligent, ground breaking, and fascinated works to Toronto's premiere queer theatre space. There have been comments about the show choice, and Buddies mandate as a queer theatre space. But certainly anything this brilliant and thought generating deserves the complement of being quite queer indeed.

Click the header for ticket information. Blasted runs until October 17th.

JH and LM

Preview: Blasted

Making Its English-Canadian debut at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is Blasted by Sarah Kane.
It tells the story of a middle-aged journalist and a young woman held up in a hotel room. Outside, a war rages on. What begins as a sordid love story takes on a nightmarish dimension as violence between the couple escalates. An armed soldier appears in the room and brings with him the terrifying fragments of a world blown apart by war.

Sarah Kane's landmark play, lambasted by British critics when it was first performed in 1995 as "a disgusting feast of filth" (Daily Mail), is now considered one of the most important plays to emerge out of the English-speaking world in the last twenty years. This is a rare chance to see an unforgettable modern classic in a production that unites some of Canada's most accomplished theatre creators.

This production features some of the country’s most accomplished actors: multi Dora
and Genie Award-nominated actor Michelle Monteith (Crave, The Russian Play and TV
series Haven) and Dora Award-winner and Genie-nominated actor David Ferry (Oleana,
Someone to Watch Over Me, Eternal Hyrda) along with the multi-talented powerhouse
Dylan Smith (Age of Arousal, Don Carlos). Dora Award-winning designers Richard Feren, Julie Fox and Kimberly Purtell bring this exceptionally intimate theatrical experience to life.

On now until October 17th, EAP will be seeing the show this afternoon. Stay tunes for our review and click the header for more information on how to get tickets.

courtesy of Buddies in Bad Times press release*