In February 2022, Sky Gilbert’s self-directed play Pat and Skee was produced by Theatre Aquarius in The Studio. The Hamilton Spectator’s Gary Smith raved, calling it “a brilliant addition to the local theatre season”, and singled it out as the best of the year.

Gilbert is back with a very different sort of play. INSIDE is a very gay, two-hander ‘dramedy’ that provides a completely unique, site-specific performance experience. Audiences will convene at The Well Bar - a gay bar at 161 Wellington Street West - before moving to the Theatre Aquarius Arts Centre for the bulk of the play.

INSIDE is the story of Tom (played by Park Bench) who follows Ryan Russell into a gay bar and watches him perform one of the famous Well Bar ‘shower dances.’ During Ryan’s act Tom tries to make contact with this well-known Canadian porn star/sex trade worker. The audience then joins the two actors as Tom follows Ryan out of the bar, listening in on their conversation as they walk the few blocks down the street to Theatre Aquarius Arts Centre (190 King William Street). A comic drama will then unfold in The Studio at Aquarius, in which Tom and Ryan discuss Tom’s ‘problem.’ In the mean-time, both men confront issues of masculinity and vulnerability - raising questions that are central to the lives of all men - gay, straight, bi, or ‘whatever’?

INSIDE is a chance to see two seasoned Canadian performers - actor/writer/performance artist Park Bench - and Canadian sex symbol Ryan Russell - directed by veteran gay director Sky Gilbert. Yes, here in Hamilton!

INSIDE – a dramedy – written and directed by Sky Gilbert

Produced by Inside-on-the-Run Productions

March 10, 11, 12

March 17, 18, 19

March 24, 25

2023

AUDIENCES WILL MEET AT THE WELL BAR

between 6:30-7:00pm

161 Wellington Street (at Cannon)

The play will start there and then move down to the Theatre Aquarius Arts Centre

191 King William Street

Tickets: $15 - $25

To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com