Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, ON, January 6 2014 - This February, come out of the cold and into Theatre Double Take's new production of Madeleine Robin Known As Roxane, an imaginative 'what if' inspired by Edmund Rostand's classic, Cyrano de Bergerac. Lemontree Creations Studio provides a cosy venue for this intimate play, which seeks to appeal to both fans of the Rostand work and newcomers. "There are a lot of extra layers and references in the script for those who know Cyrano," says TDT's General Manager Leete Stetson, "but I think the production will be accessible and moving for audience members who have never even heard of it."
The 1897 work follows the heroic Cyrano, who ghost writes the handsome-but-simple Christian's love letters to Roxane; unbeknownst to Christian, Cyrano is also in love with her. "In the final scene of Cyrano de Bergerac, Christian is already dead, and Cyrano dumps all this information on Roxane which totally changes how she sees the last almost-20 years of her life. Then he dies and the play ends!" says playwright and director, Grace Smith. "I always wondered, 'How does Roxane really feel about all this new information?' We never find out in the original, so I decided to write a play set a couple years after the events of Cyrano."
Madeleine Robin Known As Roxane is performed entirely by two talented Toronto actresses: Tennille Read (Delicacy - Summerworks 2013; founding member of Theatre Inamorata) and Alexandra Simpson (recent graduate of Ryerson's Performance Acting Program, and Artistic Director of Charlatan Remedies). Written and directed by Grace Smith, whose other recent adaptation, Troilus & Criseyde/Cressida, will be seen onstage this March in a Hart House Players production. Madeleine Robin also features set and costume design by emerging Toronto designer Claire Hill (Donors, Safeword Theatre; Nine Mile Portage, Theatre by the Bay).
WORLD PREMIERE: Madeleine Robin Known As Roxane
A new play inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac
Written by Grace Smith, Produced by Theatre Double Take
February 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th (8pm), 9th (2pm)
Lemontree Creations Studio (196 Spadina Ave - lower unit), South of Dundas Tickets ($20 reg, $15 students/seniors) at roxane.eventbrite.ca or at the door
ABOUT THEATRE DOUBLE TAKE
Theatre Double Take is a new Toronto theatre company, specializing in inquisitive adaptations that examine problematic or intriguing aspects of classic works and historical events.
Artistic Director: Grace Smith
General Manager: Leete Stetson
Website: Theatredoubletake.com Twitter: TDoubleTake
Illustration: Poster for Madeleine Robin Known As Roxane. ©2014 Frank Fiorentino.
2014-01-13
Toronto: Theatre Double Take presents the world premiere of "Madeleine Robin Known As Roxane" February 5-9