Factory Theatre launches another groundbreaking season

 

Hot on the heels of last year’s critically acclaimed season, Factory announces its 2006/2007 lineup of Canadian plays – including startling new works from the national scene, a continuing commitment to re-examining the George F. Walker canon and thrilling collaborations with some of Toronto’s most innovative independent theatre companies.

 

Artistic Director Ken Gass states, “The season builds on our past many successes with the dark and hilarious world of George F. Walker, while also featuring writers from the East Coast and the West who are completely new to Toronto stages. As well, we look forward to renewing our past highly successful creative partnerships with three extraordinary independent Toronto companies.”

 

Factory Mainspace Theatre

 

Launching the Mainspace season in October is the Toronto premiere of Governor General Award winner, Vern Thiessen’s remarkable play, Apple, directed by Ken Gass. This recipient of the 2002 Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play tells the tale of Andy: a jobless man in a loveless marriage who looks to a mysterious young woman for salvation. When his wife becomes seriously ill, Andy must choose between caring for an estranged wife, or running away with a woman he knows little about.

 

In February, Factory hosts the world premiere of The Four Horsemen Project conceived and directed by Ross Manson and Kate Alton, musical direction by John Millard and animation by Bruce Alcock and Global Mechanic. Based on the works of 1970s sound poets Rafael Barreto-Rivera, Paul Dutton, Steve McCaffery and bp Nichol, this multidisciplinary dance theatre extravaganza uses swirling projected animation to make poetry leap off the page and into the magical world of sound, breath and the human body. Produced by Volcano in association with Factory Theatre, Crooked Figure Dances, and Global Mechanic.

 

In April, Factory presents the Toronto premiere of Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s internationally acclaimed production of Tempting Providence by Robert Chafe. Under the direction of Siminovitch prize winner, Jillian Keiley, this remarkable play has been touring the world telling the story of the “Florence Nightingale of Newfoundland”. Simply known as “the Nurse” in the province’s Great Northern Peninsula, Tempting Providence follows Myra Bennett’s 60-year service to the province’s isolated stretch of coast, through 5000 baby deliveries, 3000 extracted teeth and one unforgettable love story.

  

In May, Factory returns to the darkly humourous world of George F. Walker with the 1987 Chalmers Award winning play, Better Living, directed by Ken Gass. A prequel to last season’s powerhouse hit comedy, Escape from Happiness, Better Living revisits the wildly dysfunctional east-end home of Nora, at the point where her once-violent husband, Tom, makes an unexpected homecoming after a mysterious ten-year disappearance. Audiences can anticipate another roller coaster ride with many of their favourite east-end family members.    

 

Factory Studio Theatre

 

In October, Theatre Smith-Gilmour makes a welcome return to the Studio Theatre following their spring tour to Taipei and Shanghai. On the menu is a remount of Chekhov’s Heartache, the company’s last creation from their journey into the world of Anton Chekhov's fiction (Chekhov’s Shorts; Chekhov longs…In the Ravine; Dr. Chekhov: Ward 6). Chekhov’s Heartache is a moving and often humorous tale of the Russian peasant woman's struggles and dreams – dreams that somehow give them hope amongst the hardship of poverty and rural life.

 

After last year’s popular and Dora nominated run of Banana Boys, fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company is back at Factory with the world premiere of Singkil by Catherine Hernandez. Mirroring the ancient tale of a Filipina Muslim Princess who gracefully braved the terror of an earthquake, Singkil tells the story of Mimi in present-day Toronto as she struggles to come to grips with her family’s darkest secret and the unwelcome visits of her dead mother’s spirit.

 

Following last year’s resounding success, Factory’s CrossCurrents Festival will feature an exciting roster of new works and theatre events by playwrights of colour. Produced by Nina Lee Aquino, CrossCurrents promises once again to give you a sneak peak into what the future of Canadian theatre will be.

 

Please note: Individual season passes available for sale by July 4^th. Contact Box Office for details at 416.504.9971 or log onto www.factorytheatre.ca. For group/school sales, contact Catherine Hernandez at 416.504.4473 x224

 

Season Schedule:

 

Chekhov’s Heartache

Written by Theatre Smith-Gilmour
Created by Dean Gilmour & Michelle Smith with the Company

Produced by Theatre Smith Gilmour in Association with Factory Theatre

Runs Oct 4-22, Opens Oct 5

Factory Studio Theatre

 

Apple

By Vern Thiessen

Directed by Ken Gass

Produced by Factory Theatre

Runs Oct 14- Nov 12, Opens Oct 19

Factory Mainspace Theatre

 

Singkil

By Catherine Hernandez

Directed by Nina Lee Aquino

Produced by fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company in association with Factory Theatre

Runs Jan 6-28, Opens Jan 11

Factory Studio Theatre

 

The Four Horsemen Project

Conceived and Directed by Kate Alton and Ross Manson
Based on the poetry of The Four Horsemen: Rafael Barreto-Rivera, Paul Dutton, Steve McCaffery and bp Nichol
Choreography by Kate Alton
Animation by Bruce Alcock and Global Mechanic
Musical Direction by John Millard
Dramaturgy by Ross Manson
Starring Jennifer Dahl, Graham McKelvie, Naoko Murakoshi and Andrea Nann
Produced by Volcano in association with Factory Theatre, Crooked Figure Dances, and Global Mechanic

Feb 15-Mar 4 2007, Opens Feb 17

Factory Mainspace Theatre

 

Tempting Providence

By Robert Chafe

Directed by Jillian Keiley

A Theatre Newfoundland Labrador production presented by Factory Theatre

April 4-22 2007

Factory Mainspace Theatre

 

6^th Annual CrossCurrents Festival

Nina Lee Aquino, Producer

Developed by Factory Theatre

April 27- May 6 2007

Factory Studio Theatre

 

Better Living

By George F. Walker

Directed by Ken Gass

Produced by Factory Theatre

Previews May 1, Opens May 5

Factory Mainspace Theatre