Stage Door News
Stage Door News
In Canada’s 150th Anniversary year, the Grand Theatre brings Artistic Fraud’s The Colony of Unrequited Dreams to the Spriet Stage. The production begins in previews March 21st and provides a riveting fictional retelling of the most iconic figure in Newfoundland’s history, Joey Smallwood. The Colony of Unrequited Dreams is based on the novel by Wayne Johnston, adapted for the stage by Robert Chafe and directed by Jillian Keiley.
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams is a sweeping drama of personal and political ambition. The show follows soon-to-be premier Joey Smallwood – the self-described “Last Father of Confederation” – as he propels the Dominion of Newfoundland in union with Canada in 1949. Both saint and sinner, the charismatic, controversial Smallwood, played by Colin Furlong, is hounded every step of the way by witty, booze-soaked reporter Sheilagh Fielding – his intellectual equal and lifelong nemesis, played by Carmen Grant. Watch the trailer.
The performance is divided into three short acts. Director Jillian Keiley explains, “Act One contains the original fall of the national Newfoundland Government in 1932. In Act Two, Newfoundland in the Second World War was under commission of Government; once again a colony of Britain. Finally, in Act Three, we see the move towards Confederation with Canada, and Smallwood’s successful bid to finally become a somebody- a lesser king of a larger country.”
Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland was formed in St. John’s in 1995. In the last 20 years Artistic Fraud has produced 15 original pieces of theatre showcasing one of these pieces at the Grand Theatre a few seasons back, Oil and Water. The theatre company announced the tour of The Colony Of Unrequited Dreams which started at The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, then went to The Neptune Theatre in Halifax and now to the Grand Theatre.
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams is on the Spriet Stage at the Grand Theatre from March 21st – April 8th. Tickets range from $29.95 to $82.50 (includes HST and CIF – prices subject to change), and are available at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.
The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of Title Sponsor 3M and Season Sponsor BMO Financial Group.
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams
An Artistic Fraud Production
Based on the novel by Wayne Johnston
Adapted for the stage by Robert Chafe
Directed by Jillian Keiley
March 21 to April 8, 2017
For tickets, visit: https://tickets.grandtheatre.com.
Photo: Colin Furlong as Joey Smallwood. ©2015 Timothy Richard.
2017-03-14
London: The Grand Theatre presents "The Colony of Unrequited Dreams" March 21-April 8