Evolution Theatre’s reputation, built over the last six years, is one of innovation and cutting-edge theatre. Going into its seventh year of producing “award-winning, critically acclaimed and daring theatrical works by outstanding Canadian artists,” Evolution Theatre recently announced two productions for their 2013 season. One brand new and the other well worth revisiting.
Their season announcements were made on November 20th, 2012, in a reception held at Club SAW. Evolution’s Artistic Director, Christopher Bedford made the announcement of two upcoming shows and a new audience engagement program. First-up is a collaboration with one of Ottawa’s other most innovative companies, Mi Casa Theatre for Hroses: An Affront to Reason.
Written by Ottawa native Jill Connell (A graduate of the National Theatre School Playwriting Program), directed by Mi Casa Theatre’s Emily Pearlman (2009 Prix Rideau Emerging Artist Award winner), and starring Mi Casa’s Nicolas Di Gaetano and Toronto based actor and creator Katie Swift, Hroses (pronounced horses) is an exploration of eternals-the passions we return to, in spite of ourselves. Lily and Ellery are lovers from rival families who together find a Hrose. At first nameless - a new and wonerful thing that is fascinating, secret, dangerous, and a symbol for their love - the act of naming it forever alters it and in turn, transforms Lily and Ellery’s relationship.
Christopher Bedford along with some of the crowd on hand for the season launch.
Hroses: An Affront To Reason will run at the Ottawa Dance Directive Studio A in Arts Court (2 Daly Avenue) from March 7th to March 16th.
Evolution’s second production in the new year will be a remount of an out of the box play that ran into some trouble the first time around: [boxhead]. Not because the quality of the production was lacking, in fact those who were there had nothing but the very best to say, but because an actor illness cut short its run.
The show is directed by Alix Sideris (currently on stage in the Pride and Prejudice at the NAC) and stars Evolution Theatre’s Artistic Director Christopher Bedford and local actor, director and playwright, Stewart Matthews (of the internationally acclaimed Screwed & Clued Theatre Company). In [boxhead], a young geneticist awakes one morning to find a cardboard box secured to his head. Unable to wrench it off, he attempts suicide, fails, then clones himself to avoid loneliness. The ensuing events lead the pair through a maze of romance, bitterness, soul searching and hilarious vaudevillian escapades.
Christopher Bedford announces the upcoming season.
[boxhead] will run at the University of Ottawa’s Academic Hall (135 Séraphim-Marion) from May 9th through May 18th, 2012.
Editor’s note: No first hand account of this as we were among of the victims of cut short last year, but you can get a way advance look at [boxhead] in our preview video for the double header it was one part of last spring, along with Mary Magdelene and Adventures in Sobriety.
Tickets for both productions are on sale now and can be purchased at Evolution’s website. Ticket’s are $30 with a student/senior/artist price of only $20.
This year, Experience Evolution will also launch as a unique opportunity for audiences to learn more and interact with the company’s work.
Evolution Theatre strives to push the boundaries of theatrical form and through this program, audiences can attend pre- and post-show panel discussions and multi-disciplinary artistic events and activities, plus have access to dynamic online content to enrich their theatre-going experience.
Experience Evolution will boot up in January 2013 and carry on until the end of their season.
Photos From the Season Launch:
All photos in this gallery were taken for Production Ottawa by David Pasho. Find the full gallery on our Facebook page.
For more information about either show or Experience Evolution, to buy tickets, to find out more about the company, or to make a financial contribution in support of Evolution’s mandate for producing cutting edge, contemporary theatre in Ottawa — visit them online at evolutiontheatre.ca
What did you think? Did you see [boxhead] last year? Have you ever attended an Evolution Theatre show in the past? Join the discussion in the comments below.
All blocked and quoted info in the article taken from the official Evolution Theatre press release.
About Allan Mackey
Allan Mackey is editor-in-chief of Production Ottawa, which, really, is too fancy a title. He also acts as show producer for Should You See It, making sure you get your answer in just about two minutes every time. He writes stuff and occasionally turns that stuff into movies. Keep being awesome!
