Conceived and directed by Ross Manson and Kate Alton, with musical direction by John Millard and animation by Bruce Alcock and Global Mechanic, the "multidisciplinary dance theatre extravaganza" is based on the works of 1970s sound poets Rafael Barreto-Rivera, Paul Dutton, Steve McCaffery and bp Nichol. It "uses swirling projected animation to make poetry leap off the page and into the magical world of sound, breath and the human body."
The Four Horsemen Project is produced by Volcano in association with Factory Theatre, Crooked Figure Dances and Global Mechanic. It will feature Jennifer Dahl, Graham McKelvie, Naoko Murakoshi and Andrea Nann. Feb. 15-March 4, 2007.
The Factory season also includes Toronto premieres, the return of favorite works and collaborations with some of Toronto's most innovative independent theatre companies.
Artistic director Ken Gass stated, "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."
The season includes: Factory Mainspace Theatre
The Toronto premiere of Governor General Award winner, Vern Thiessen's Apple, directed by Ken Gass. The 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." Oct. 14- Nov. 12.In April 2007, 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, the 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, Myra Bennett gives 60 years of service to the province's isolated stretch of coast, "through 5,000 baby deliveries, 3,000 extracted teeth and one unforgettable love story." April 4-22, 2007.In May 2007, Factory returns to the darkly humorous world of George F. Walker with the 1987 Chalmers Award winning play, Better Living, directed by Ken Gass. A prequel to last season's 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 10-year disappearance. Audiences can anticipate another roller coaster ride with many of their favorite east-end family members." Previews begin May 1, 2007. Opening is May 5. Factory Studio Theatre
Theatre Smith-Gilmour makes a return to the Studio Theatre with 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." Oct. 4-22.fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company returns to 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." Jan. 6-28, 2007.Factory's CrossCurrents Festival will feature a roster of new works and theatre events by playwrights of color. Produced by Nina Lee Aquino, CrossCurrents "promises once again to give you a sneak peak into what the future of Canadian theatre will be." April 27- May 6, 2007. Individual season passes will be available for sale by July 4. For more information, call (416) 504-9971 or visit www.factorytheatre.ca.
