Stratford vetrans Seana McKenna and Fiona Reid begin previews tomorrow for The Clean House at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto.
In an interview with Richard Ouzounian, the girls talk about the play (by Sara Ruhl), their roles, the 1982 Shakespeare 3 company at Stratford in which they first met, and each offer some high praise for the other.
An excerpt:
Reid answers the question, What do you think the play is trying to say, ultimately?
"I think perhaps the play is asking its characters to stretch beyond what they perceive themselves to be capable of in their lives, to exceed their limitations and expectations and ultimately to act with compassion. The Clean House challenges the assumptions we make about ourselves and others."
McKenna answers the question, Do you feel your method of working on a role is different from hers?
"I would have to have a method to answer that question. Perhaps a director watching us could answer with accuracy. I do know that we are both hard workers and feel a great responsibility to the playwright. And we speak in shorthand when discussing a choice or a move or an intention. We know what the other is attempting, and can support each other quite effortlessly, often without words. We've got about 60 years experience between us, so that helps. (Fiona has more, of course.)"
Read the entire interview, in which they exchange questions.
In this season at Stratford, Seana McKenna will have roles in The Trojan Woman and Fuente Ovejuna; and Fiona Reid will appear as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man.
Showing posts with label Canadian Stage Company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canadian Stage Company. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
CanStage Rattled by Shakeup, Star Reports
From the Toronto Star online:
"The Canadian Stage Company, which has a stated aim to create and produce the best in Canadian theatre, will not produce any Canadian work on its mainstage next season, industry sources say.
"The country’s largest regional theatre laid off up to a dozen people yesterday as part of a major restructuring effort in the face of ongoing financial and artistic problems.
"The news is likely to raise a few eyebrows from the federal, provincial and civic funding bodies that give CanStage roughly 18 per cent of its operating budget — significantly more than the 8 per cent for Soulpepper and 4 per cent for Stratford.
"The resignation of artistic director David Storch on Wednesday, it seems now, was just the tip of the iceberg and a sign that a lot more rough water is ahead.
"According to reliable industry sources the beleaguered company won’t be producing any shows of its own in its Berkeley St. venue next season, and will instead depend on three of the city’s major alternative theatres — Nightwood, Studio 180 and Necessary Angel — to provide productions for Canadian Stage.
"Artistic producer Martin Bragg would only respond with a 'no comment' when asked about that development, but representatives for both Studio 180 and Nightwood Theatre confirmed that they are 'in negotiations' with Canadian Stage for next season.
"Both Bragg and his general manager, David Abel, refused to discuss details of the downsizing, citing confidentiality agreements with the employees in question.
"A number of senior artistic and administrative staff, including long-time employees, dramaturge Iris Turcott, and director of audience development and education, Patty Jarvis, will no longer be working for the company, industry sources confirmed.
"Although Bragg insists that new play development — Turcott’s normal area of responsibility — will still be a source of focus for the organization, their immediate future doesn’t seem to indicate that.
"'No comment' was Bragg’s answer again when asked if there would be any Canadian works in the 2008-2009 mainstage season. The Star has learned that in all likelihood, there won’t be."
Continue reading.
"The Canadian Stage Company, which has a stated aim to create and produce the best in Canadian theatre, will not produce any Canadian work on its mainstage next season, industry sources say.
"The country’s largest regional theatre laid off up to a dozen people yesterday as part of a major restructuring effort in the face of ongoing financial and artistic problems.
"The news is likely to raise a few eyebrows from the federal, provincial and civic funding bodies that give CanStage roughly 18 per cent of its operating budget — significantly more than the 8 per cent for Soulpepper and 4 per cent for Stratford.
"The resignation of artistic director David Storch on Wednesday, it seems now, was just the tip of the iceberg and a sign that a lot more rough water is ahead.
"According to reliable industry sources the beleaguered company won’t be producing any shows of its own in its Berkeley St. venue next season, and will instead depend on three of the city’s major alternative theatres — Nightwood, Studio 180 and Necessary Angel — to provide productions for Canadian Stage.
"Artistic producer Martin Bragg would only respond with a 'no comment' when asked about that development, but representatives for both Studio 180 and Nightwood Theatre confirmed that they are 'in negotiations' with Canadian Stage for next season.
"Both Bragg and his general manager, David Abel, refused to discuss details of the downsizing, citing confidentiality agreements with the employees in question.
"A number of senior artistic and administrative staff, including long-time employees, dramaturge Iris Turcott, and director of audience development and education, Patty Jarvis, will no longer be working for the company, industry sources confirmed.
"Although Bragg insists that new play development — Turcott’s normal area of responsibility — will still be a source of focus for the organization, their immediate future doesn’t seem to indicate that.
"'No comment' was Bragg’s answer again when asked if there would be any Canadian works in the 2008-2009 mainstage season. The Star has learned that in all likelihood, there won’t be."
Continue reading.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Storch Will Star Next Season
An update this morning from Michael Posner at the Globe and Mail reports that Artistic Director David Storch, who yesterday resigned his post with the Canadian Stage Company, will be acting in the as-yet-unannounced 2008-2009 season.
Artistic Producer Martin Bragg had previously confirmed that Storch will remain on as the director of Misery (2008), which opens on May 5.
Misery (2008), an adaptation of the Stephen King novel, is perhaps appropriately the last show of the season.
Richard Ouzounian observed that "the usually upbeat Bragg was tense yesterday as he discussed the current climate in the organization. He conceded that Little Shop of Horrors [2008] underperformed at the box office and to make up for it, 'I rebalanced the organization. I made a few nips and tucks.'
"Bragg was unwilling to go into further details, saying that all would be made clear when he announces the 2008-2009 season 'sometime in February,' but he did allow that, 'there are going to be major changes in new play development and other areas.'
"Informed observers are predicting the departure of long-time dramaturge Iris Turcott, as well as other key personnel in the organization.
"The Canadian Stage Company is currently carrying a $1 million deficit on a budget of $10.7 million, with nearly 70 per cent of that having been incurred during the 2005-2006 season."
Artistic Producer Martin Bragg had previously confirmed that Storch will remain on as the director of Misery (2008), which opens on May 5.
Misery (2008), an adaptation of the Stephen King novel, is perhaps appropriately the last show of the season.
Richard Ouzounian observed that "the usually upbeat Bragg was tense yesterday as he discussed the current climate in the organization. He conceded that Little Shop of Horrors [2008] underperformed at the box office and to make up for it, 'I rebalanced the organization. I made a few nips and tucks.'
"Bragg was unwilling to go into further details, saying that all would be made clear when he announces the 2008-2009 season 'sometime in February,' but he did allow that, 'there are going to be major changes in new play development and other areas.'
"Informed observers are predicting the departure of long-time dramaturge Iris Turcott, as well as other key personnel in the organization.
"The Canadian Stage Company is currently carrying a $1 million deficit on a budget of $10.7 million, with nearly 70 per cent of that having been incurred during the 2005-2006 season."
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Storch and "CanStage" Torched
David Storch has resigned as Artistic Director at CanStage.
And it's not CanStage.
It is, once again, the Canadian Stage Company.
In a prepared statement, Storch said that "it has become clear to me that the demands of artistic director of this company are not ones which I feel are in my creative interests to pursue".
Why that required him to quit in the middle of the season (his first in the role) has yet to be determined.
According to CBC News, however, Storch will maintain his responsibilities directing an adaptation of Stephen King's Misery (2008), which is set to open May 5.
He last directed Judith Thompson's Palace of the End (2008) at the Berkeley Street Theatre. One of ten finalists for the $20,000 (U. S.) Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Palace of the End (2008) runs until February 23.
Storch has spent almost twenty seasons acting and directing with the Canadian Stage Company, which Artistic Producer Martin Bragg said will continue to depend on Storch's "considerable skills as an artist" beyond the 2007-2008 season.
That is, if he'll have them.
And it's not CanStage.
It is, once again, the Canadian Stage Company.
In a prepared statement, Storch said that "it has become clear to me that the demands of artistic director of this company are not ones which I feel are in my creative interests to pursue".
Why that required him to quit in the middle of the season (his first in the role) has yet to be determined.
According to CBC News, however, Storch will maintain his responsibilities directing an adaptation of Stephen King's Misery (2008), which is set to open May 5.
He last directed Judith Thompson's Palace of the End (2008) at the Berkeley Street Theatre. One of ten finalists for the $20,000 (U. S.) Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Palace of the End (2008) runs until February 23.
Storch has spent almost twenty seasons acting and directing with the Canadian Stage Company, which Artistic Producer Martin Bragg said will continue to depend on Storch's "considerable skills as an artist" beyond the 2007-2008 season.
That is, if he'll have them.
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!
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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