Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto Masque Theatre is one of the few companies in the world devoted to masque, an art form that is a result of a fusion of music, dance and theatre. Our objective is to make Toronto a world-recognized centre for masque creation and performance. To celebrate our twelfth year, we are excited to present a season of masques contemporary and classic with works ranging from the Baroque master, Henry Purcell, to contemporary Canadian composer Dean Burry.
Artistic Director Larry Beckwith had this to say about the season: “I feel that our four major presentations exemplify the range and scope of this wonderful company: a beloved classic (The Fairy Queen), a modern hit (The Mummer’s Masque), an overview of perhaps the most important figure in the history of the masque tradition (Ben Jonson) and an in-depth examination of our newest commission (The Man Who Married Himself). All served up in an engaging and entertaining way with top-notch performers. I look forward immensely to sharing this season with our audience,”
Our 2015/16 Mainstage Series
Our Mainstage season features two of the most beloved works from our repertoire:
The Mummer's Masque by Dean Burry / contemporary
8:00pm, 17-19 December 2015, pre-show event at 7:15 pm each evening
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse,106 Trinity Street, Toronto
Move over Handel, watch out Scrooge. Get ready for a rollicking alternative to Toronto’s usual seasonal offerings: a celebration of the 400-year-old Newfoundland holiday tradition of mummering – when holiday revellers, in disguise, roam door-to-door offering entertainment in the form of music, dance and storytelling.
The historic Enoch Turner Schoolhouse is the ideal venue for this retelling of the thrilling adventures of St George (soprano Shannon Mercer), his encounters with a rival knight and dragon (both played by mezzo soprano Marion Newman) and romantic shenanigans with the mysterious Princess Zebra (tenor Christopher Mayell). Hosted by Father Christmas (baritone Giles Tomkins), with step dancers, a children’s choir and an all-star jug band featuring Andrew Downing, Ian Harper, Joseph Macerollo, Terry McKenna, and Ed Reifel, led by Larry Beckwith. Directed by Derek Boyes.
The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell / classic
8:00 pm, 27-29 May 2016, special pre-show lecture & recital at 7:15 pm each night
The Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto
Set in the enchanted world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this “Restoration spectacular” from 1692 is a masterpiece of the masque art form. Inspired by the themes of Shakespeare’s play – poetry, sleep, love, nature and marriage – Purcell weaves song, chorus and dance into five short masques that contain some of his most sublime music. Designed as a popular entertainment in its day, The Fairy Queen is the ideal introduction to Baroque masque.
Join us for an innovative performance of one of the precious gems created by England’s greatest composer, featuring sopranos Vania Chan, Charlotte Knight and Juliet Beckwith, alto Simon Honeyman, tenors Jonathan Honeyman and James Tuttle and baritones Alexander Dobson and David Roth along with actors, dancers and an instrumental ensemble led from the violin by Larry Beckwith. Directed by Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière.
Our 2015/16 Salon Series
We are delighted to host another series of salons exploring the history and future of masque. Beverages and light snacks served.
Ben Jonson & the Masque / classic
7:30 pm, 20 October 2015 / The Atrium at 21 Shaftesbury Avenue, Toronto
Playwright and poet Ben Jonson was one of the key figures in the development of the masque in England in the early 17th century, providing dozens of texts for court masques. We examine both the significance and the beauty of these works as a form of introduction to a proposed “Jonson Cycle” program that we would like to pursue over upcoming future seasons. With Katherine Hill, soprano and viola da gamba, Derke Boyes, actor, and Larry Beckwith, tenor and violin.
A Passage to India / contemporary
7:30 pm, 29 February 2016 / The Atrium at 21 Shaftesbury Avenue, Toronto
TMT’s latest commission, The man who married himself (set for production in our 2016/17 season), was inspired by a Karnataka folktale. We look at the music and poetry of India that inspired composer Juliet Palmer and librettist Anna Chatterton, drawing parallels between the musical theatre traditions of India and the masque tradition of the West. Join the creators and special guest Suba Sankaran in conversation with Larry Beckwith.
Information on our Subscription Series, with terrific savings on regular ticket prices, available here. Single tickets for all productions are available online or by phone on 416 410 4561.
For more information on Toronto Masque Theatre please go to our website.
2015-09-15
Toronto: Toronto Masque Theatre announces its 2015/16 season