A local ensemble of actors and directors have been experimenting with a new form of theatre since February, and they're finally ready to perform.
A group of Between Shifts theatre members came up with the concept of soliciting and performing a series of short, one-act plays and playwrights responded from all over North America, said Kathy Daniels. The group held readings every Sunday, finally coming up with four plays.
Once the plays were chosen, the 13 actors went through a series of "intense" workshops. Some actors had never been on stage, some were seasoned veterans and the workshops established camaraderie among the cast. The four directors also took workshops.
Daniels is directing Save Me A Place at Forest Lawn. Written by Lorees Verby, the play is a 30-minute conversation between two elderly women on friendship, loss and the hereafter. The ensemble performs the Canadian debut of Kent R. Brown's Seduction of Chaos about a "dangerously depressed" man who becomes overwhelmed by a gigantic modern artwork of hypnotic intensity. The troupe also performs Eight Variations on the Death of Trotsky by the prolific David Ives and Bentley Burnout by Toronto playwright Allison McWood.
Between Shifts opens All 4 One at the Brackendale Art Gallery on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 19, 20 and 21) with encore performances May 26, 27 and 28.
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