Stage Door News
Stage Door News
"I took the opportunity of being alone in the court-yard, to look at my coarse hands and my common boots."
— Pip, from Charles Dickens' Great Expectations
Last night 100 friends and colleagues gathered at the Heliconian Hall to celebrate the company’s new name.
The next generation honoured the company’s history with a mash up of the early works. Set on a subway line, 15 members of our Devised Lab performed excerpts from Paranoia, Porch People, Betrayal, Fertility, Cooking with Columbus, Anger in Ernest and Ernestine.
My friend, actor, writer, Martin Julien joined me on stage to do the honours. He spoke of the company’s early days and its presence in the community and how Martha and Leah opened the doors to actors of all traditions to join them in making original theatre. It was a very inclusive environment and truly collaborative.
When the time came to announce the name the devised lab handed out sealed envelopes along with a shot of whiskey. We toasted Theatre Columbus with three cheers and then everyone opened their own envelopes revealing the new name. From the stage I heard giggles, and applause and then people started stomping their feet.
It was a breathtaking moment. It’s been a long time coming and it’s been a difficult decision because we love this company, its work, its history and its potential. Many theatre practitioners of my generation link their artistic identity to this company. Changing is disorienting and after one catches their breath it becomes quietly thrilling.
We change the name to honour all that we love about it and to declare its history alive and to provide its future with energy and possibility.
And the fact is we are still here because our mandate and the mission remain the same and serve as a point of departure.
What I hope for this name is that it will become redolent with meaning and branded with courage, curiosity and camaraderie. We will continue to make new plays, created by and for an ensemble and performed for a diverse audience. And we will boldly investigate what it means to be human in constantly changing world.
On the eve of my first directing job, Leah told to consider carefully what I wore on my feet. She advised that the shoes set the tone. The boots recall the pair Leah and Martha wore when they created their first Toronto show. The wings are from Melancholia, a play where an angel fell from the sky. We aimed for grounded and inspired, and Canadian version of Hermes. These are the images that take me forward. I share them with you and hope they will do the same.
- Jennifer Brewin
Artistic Director
Common Boots Theatre
2015-05-05
Toronto: Theatre Columbus changes its name to Common Boots Theatre