Tuesday, January 29, 2008

CanStage Plays on the International Stage

Judith Thompson's topical Palace of the End (2008), which reveals in three monologues three perspectives on the War in Iraq, has been nominated for the $20,000 (U. S.) Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.

Blackburn, an actress and playwright, died in 1977. Thirty-one years later (thirty since the Prize was installed), the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is still bringing recognition to female playwrights in English language theatre.

This year plays by the ten finalists, who represent five countries, were selected from a total of 92 submissions. Sarah Ruhl, a 2004 Blackburn Prize winner, was one of the jurors.

Also nominated for a prestigious Pulitzer Prize, The Clean House (2008) is up next at CanStage. Seana McKenna (last at MTC/Mirvish with a revival of the Stratford Festival production of Orpheus Descending [2005; 2006, tour]) and Fiona Reid (A Delicate Balance [2007]) will star.

The Clean House (2008) begins previews February 11 at the Bluma Appel Theatre before opening on February 14.

Palace of the End (2008) ends its run at the Berkeley Street Theatre in Toronto on February 23. Don't wait for the Prize to be awarded to see it; that doesn't happen until March!

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