George Walker, Canada's most celebrated and prolific playwright, will conclude the epic, six-play cycle, Suburban Motel, that began at Toronto's Factory Theatre in October 1997.

The first two plays, Problem Child and Criminal Genius, opened Oct. 25 and Nov. 15, respectively. They were followed late  season by Adult Entertainment. The End of Civilization ran Apr. 24-May 31 (opened Apr. 30) and Featuring Loretta runs May 7 June 21 (opened May 14). The final installment, Risk Everything, runs June 11-July 26, opens June 17.

Starring in the last play are Kristen Thomson, Tom Barnett, Nancy Beatty and John Ralston. Designing the show are Rebecca Pickerack (lighting) and Shawn Kerwin (costumes).

Motel is directed by Walker and staged at Factory Theatre, where he has been premiering his work since 1972. It's a great show of loyalty; Factory faced near bankruptcy last year and was rescued by its founding director Ken Gass, with whom Walker worked in his formative years as a playwright.

It was while driving cab that Walker saw a handbill from the theatre asking for new scripts and submitted Prince of Naples, thereby establishing himself as a writer of dark comedy and remarkable insight into the minutiae of human neurosis and evil. The trend continues in Suburban Motel, with all six works set in a seedy inn. Designing the cycle are Shawn Kerwin (set & costumes) and Rebecca Pickerack (lighting).

For tickets and information on Suburban Motel call Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. in Toronto, (416) 504-9971.

-- By Mira Friedlander
Canada Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz