This winter Barrie based Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is turning upside down, producing three site-specific and immersive productions at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the second largest Fringe Festival in the world. The ambitious effort comes on the heels of the company’s success in producing the epic scaled, multi-continent, immersive theatrical experience, The Curious Voyage, and further demonstrates TIFT’s mission to be a leader in the Canadian landscape of immersive theatre and a conduit for artistically driven cultural exchange.  The Canada Capsule by TIFT at the Adelaide Fringe includes -  For Both Resting and Breeding, Every Brilliant Thing, originally produced in association with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centrel, and Tales of an Urban Indian.  What the three productions have in common is that they immerse the audience in the narrative, with Every Brilliant Thing and For Both Resting and Breeding staged in the living room of a residential house, and Tales of an Urban Indian on a moving city bus.   

For their appearances in Adelaide, TIFT has partnered with Hartstone-Kitney Productions. This year the prolific company will present 20 productions from 7 countries across 5 venues, making them a producing leader at the Festival. With a mission to “create great theatre and push the boundaries of experience” Hartstone-Kitney Productions is a natural fit for TIFT.  

The Adelaide Fringe Festival runs February 14 - March 13 2020.

adelaidefringe.com.au

Upon return to Canada, Tales of an Urban Indian and For Both Resting and Breeding will also be produced as part of The WOW Collection by TIFT from March 18 - May 17 2020. The WOW Collection is the first festival of its kind, anywhere in the world, dedicated exclusively to Immersive Art. The programming will also include two new immersive dance pieces, an intercultural project, a sensory installation, a multi-disciplinary initiative and theatre work. Performances will be held in Barrie and in Toronto, Ontario, and some will even transport participants between the two cities as part of the narrative.

For Both Resting and Breeding

For Both Resting and Breeding is a new play by first-time Ottawa-based writer, Adam Meisner. It is set in the year 2150 when humans have become gender-neutral and use the pronoun ‘Ish’ to identify themselves.

The play centers around two historians, ISH40 and ISH62, who want to transform an old residence, built in 1999, into a living museum commemorating Millennials for the upcoming sesquicentennial. As the museum is being created, members of the group become too enamoured with their gendered counterparts and eventually start to re-enact the dangerous behaviours of their ancestors. 

Credits:

Written by Adam Meisner.

Directed by Brandon Crone

Set and Lighting Design by Joe Pagnan

Starring Maja Ardal, Richard Lam, Jamie McRoberts and Alexander Thomas

For Both Resting and Breeding runs at the Adelaide Fringe from Feb 26 to 29 2020. Toronto WOW Collection dates will be announced soon. 

Every Brilliant Thing

This interactive play charts the lengths we go to for those we love. With his mother in the hospital, a young boy constructs a list of little things to help her find a way to be happy. In this raw, real and intimate piece of theatre, what begins as a naive way of dealing with tragedy becomes a life-long reminder that joy can be found in the seeming insignificant- that the unremarkable can, in fact, become something quite remarkable.

Credits:

Written by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe.

Directed by Steven Schipper

Set and Lighting Design is by Joe Pagnan

Starring Michael Torontow

Produced in association with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Every Brilliant Thing runs at the Adelaide Fringe from Feb 18 to 21,2020.

Tales of an Urban Indian

Tales of an Urban Indian is staged on a moving city bus, which drives around the city and visits locations matching those of the play's plot. The script is the story of Simon Douglas, a contemporary Indigenous man, who grows up on both the reserve and in Vancouver. Tales of an Urban Indian conjures up many characters that appear in Simon's life as seen through his eyes, all played by one actor. The production has been touring to a variety of destinations across Canada and United States, and has recently celebrated its 500th performance. It was seen briefly in Melbourne last May as part of Yirramboi Festival.

Credits: 

Written by Darrell Dennis 

Directed by Herbie Barnes 

Starring Brendan Chandler

Tales of an Urban Indian runs at the Fringe from Feb 18 to Mar 1 2020. Toronto & Barrie WOW Collection dates to be announced soon. 

TIFT website: www.tift.ca

Tickets are available starting December 15, 2019 at adelaidefringe.com.au

TIFT productions as part of the Canada Capsule can be found by searching via Venue: The Bus Stop.