Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, Ontario…Single Thread Theatre Company is proud to present the world premiere production of Alex Dault’s historical thriller Firebrand, playing at Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, from February 6th to 27th, 2014. Press Opening is Wednesday February 5th, 2014 at 8:00 pm.
Firebrand is an intensely intimate look into the final years of Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie. In the twilight of life, Mackenzie returns to Toronto from an eleven-year exile with his family in tow. Overcome with debt, he seeks recompense and redemption from the newly formed government for a lifetime of work. Yet, not everyone is prepared to forgive Mackenzie for his role in the Rebellion of 1837- including his wife and children. This unique site-specific production allows the audience to sit inches away from the actors and eavesdrop on the tangled skein of secrets of the Mackenzie family.
The role of Mackenzie will be played by Dora-award nominee Greg Campbell. Greg is no stranger to Canadian history, having acted extensively with Video Cabaret in (most recently) the Great War, The Life and Times of Mackenzie King and Laurier. He is joined by some of Toronto’s best emerging talent; Clara Pasieka (Murdoch Mysteries, Bejide), Jakob Ehman (seen recently in Blue Planet at YPT) and Caroline Toal (We are the Bomb with Theatre Brouhaha). Firebrand will be directed by Single Thread founding member Jonathan Langley, known for his innovative work on The Loyalists (Canadian Stage/Single Thread), Campbell House Story (Single Thread), and Much Ado About Nothing (Single Thread). The design team includes Mikael Kangas, lighting designer for CATS;
costume designer Claire Hill, scenographer for Donors and Turtleneck with safeword theatre and is stage managed by Jenn Hewitt, fresh off of the hit musical Evil Dead.
Reviews from past Single Thread productions: We must admit a fascination with such shows that literally take a show out of the box – the black box of a traditional venue… Magical.- NOW, Jon Kaplan. If there were one company in Toronto with whom I would trust with my utter discomfort, it would be the uniformly sweet Single Thread Theatre. – My Entertainment World.
Single Thread Theatre Company (Artistic Director Liam Karry) has received praise for the work it has collectively devised in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Ontario, Fort York, Spadina House, Zion Schoolhouse, and Toronto’s First Post Office. Single Thread was the Emerging Artist Company in residence at Canadian Stage in 2012. The company owes a large debt of thanks to the Toronto Arts Council for supporting Firebrand’s development in a series of workshops in 2013.
Firebrand is performed by Greg Campbell, Burgandy Code, Michael Rawley, Caroline Toal, Clara Pasieka and Jakob Ehman. The production team includes Jonathan Langley (director), Mikael Kangas (lights), Claire Hill (costumes), Julia Matias (costume assistant), Jenn Hewitt (stage manager) and featuring original artwork from Herb Jung, Peter Holton and Frank Fiorentino.
Single Thread Theatre Company presents
Firebrand
Press Opening February 5th, Opening February 6th and running on weekends to February 22nd
MACKENZIE HOUSE, 82 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario
Ticket Prices: $20; available online at www.singlethread.ca
Feb 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd at 8pm
Company Website: www.singlethread.ca
Photo: Wade Bogert O’Brien (Lyrics), Scott Christen (Music), Kevin Michael Shea (Book/Lyrics) – A Misfortune.
2014-01-13
Toronto: Alex Dault's thriller "Firebrand" plays the Mackenzie House February 6-22