Factory stages the English language world premiere of

The Ventriloquist

Written By Larry Tremblay

Translated and Directed By Keith Turnbull

Starring Meg Roe and Nigel Shawn Williams

 

The Factory Theatre proudly presents the English language world premiere of The Ventriloquist by Larry Tremblay. Translated and directed by Keith Turnbull, The Ventriloquist stars Meg Roe and Nigel Shawn Williams as Gaby and Dr. Limestone respectively, and also features Andrea Davis and Robert Hamilton in a variety of roles.  The production previews on April 18, opens on April 25, and runs until May 21, 2006.

 

Named by Montréal Express as “a unique voice in the theatrical landscape”, Larry Tremblay has created an unsettling but mesmerizing play, a puzzle within a puzzle that has captivated audiences with its dark humour and vivid theatricality.  According to artistic director, Ken Gass, “Larry Tremblay is an extraordinary writer whose work is relatively unknown in English Canada.  After the outstanding success of The Dragonfly of Chicoutimi at the Factory in 2002, we’re thrilled to offer this unique and startling work as the final show of our current season.”

 

With her shiny Parker pen in hand, Gaby etches a chilling tale onto the page, and finds that everything she writes appears to become horrifyingly true, from the disaster of her 16^th birthday party to the wild adventures of her brother’s exotic quest.  What seems at first to be childish fiction becomes a battleground of the imagination where reality is constantly reinvented and the bizarre therapy of Dr. Limestone, the ventriloquist, becomes harder and harder to resist.

 

Bringing this imaginative script to life on our stage is translator/director, Keith Turnbull. Armed with the experience of directing over 90 plays and operas across Canada, including many years as the Artistic Director of Banff Theatre Arts and stints as artistic director of the Manitoba Theatre Centre, and Second Stage, Neptune Theatre, Turnbull looks forward to being at the helm of what he calls, “an odd combination of dark romantic comedy and mystery that bravely examines the un-examinable.”

 

The Ventriloquist features the talents of what Turnbull lovingly refers to as his “dream team”: 

Making her Toronto debut is rising star, Meg Roe (Vancouver Playhouse’s Vincent in Brixton) as Gaby. Fresh from his directorial debut in Obsidian’s The Monument and as well as directing the premiere of Blacks Don’t Bowl for Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal, Nigel Shawn Williams returns to the Factory stage to co-star as Doctor Limestone. Performing the offstage voices of Gaby’s imaginings are Robert Hamilton (Stratford’s Macbeth), and Andrea Davis (CanStage’s Hamlet).

 

Interpreting Tremblay’s “labyrinth of theatrical ambiguity” (RTBF Belgium) are Set and Costume Designer Sue LePage; Lighting Designer Michael Kruse and Sound Designer Rick Sacks. Production Dramaturgy is by Jennifer H. Capraru and Stage Management by Sandy Plunkett.

 

One of Quebec’s most innovative and admired playwrights, Larry Tremblay’s works include Le Déclic du destin, Leçon d'anatomie, Le Génie de la rue Drolet, Ogre. A prolific writer, librettist and also a Theatre for Young Audiences playwright, Tremblay has recently published two plays (including Keith Turnbull’s translation of The Ventriloquist to be released April 7^th by Talonbooks), and his novel, The Bicycle Eater (Talonbooks 2005).

 

Since its premiere in 2001, The Ventriloquist has been produced in France, Quebec, Belgium, Italy and Mexico. In 2003, the Montreal production by theatre company PàP received six nominations for the Gala des Masques awards and won as best Montreal production. Larry Tremblay’s work returns to Factory Theatre after a successful run of his hit play, The Dragonfly of Chicoutimi in 2002.

 

 

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The Ventriloquist by Larry Tremblay, translated by Keith Turnbull

Factory Studio Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street (at Adelaide), Toronto

 

Previews on April 18^th and 22^nd at 8pm; April 23^rd at 7pm; please note there are no previews on April 19, 20 and 21; opens Tues. April 25th and runs to May 21^st.

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 p.m., all other Sunday Matinees at 2:30 p.m., Saturday matinee on May 20^th at 2:30 p.m.

Ticket Prices: Previews $12 (Student Hip Tix available $5); Tuesday-Thursday at 8:00 p.m. $23; Friday at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. $25; Saturday at 8:00 p.m: $30; Sunday Matinee Pay-What-You-Can ($20 if booked in advance); (Discounts for groups, students, seniors and Equity members)

 

Tickets available online at www.factorytheatre.ca or through our Box Office: 416-504-9971