A bold, mime-inspired reimagining of a canonical literary text, THEATRE SMITH-GILMOUR is proud to announce its original, audacious production of METAMORPHOSES 2023, adapted from the legendary epic poem by Ovid for the stage and directed by Michele Smith. This extraordinary work of art features several talented performers, including Rob Feetham, Dean Gilmour, Daniel Richard Henkel, Neena Jayarajan, and Sukruti Tirupattur, Presented at Crow’s Theatre, March 21 to April 9, 2023.

Inspired by the 8AD epic poem by Ovid, Metamorphoses, Theatre Smith-Gilmour have created a bold and contemporary adaptation, taking inspiration from post re of their adaptation, is a dialogue between European Mime and Bharatanatyam Dance Style (which uses codified South Asian Mime).

“Many of Ovid’s stories, that we have picked, paint the landscape of a cruel world that could very well be our world today: a world of man’s entitlement and woman’s rage. In Ovid the victims of rape ask the Gods, “Change me! Make me a man! Let me never be vulnerable again.” And it happens. I love his philosophy of life as a long wave of transformations, no death, no birth, no beginning and no end, but an endless possibility to transform, to flee, to never be pinned down to one identity. It’s about resilience and survival.” Michele Smith-Gilmour, Co-Founder, Theatre Smith-Gilmour

The work is brought to life through the talents of several exceptional stage performers, including Rob Feetham, a Dora Nominated (What Dream It Was, Ahuri Theatre) actor, comedian, and podcaster, selected Credits include: Tale of a Town (Fixt Point), Voix de Ville Extravagonzo (Niagara Arts Centre, Suitcase In Point), and Italian Mime Suicide (Bad New Days); Daniel Richard Henkel, whose selected credits include: Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night at Alehouse Theatre; Neena Jayarajan is an independent dance theatre artist with extensive experience in Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance techniques. Neena sits on the board of CADA West and The Dance Current Magazine; and Sukruti Tirupattur, an accomplished dancer from Bengaluru, India and came to Toronto in 2019. She has worked with Arangham Dance Theater, Chennai, and has engaged with Jamii Esplanade as a performer. Sukruti has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has represented India as a cultural diplomat to Malawi with Vyuti Dance Company, Bengaluru.

The show also features Lighting Design by 3 time Dora Award winner Simon Rossiter. This is his 4th collaboration with Dean and Michele. He has created more that 250 original designs for many dance and theatre companies including Ballet am Rhein, the National Ballet of Canada, Soulpepper Theatre, Toronto Dance, Citadel + Compagnie among others. Costume/Set is Designed by emerging artist Tiana Kralj.

METAMORPHOSES 2023:

When: March 21 – April 9 (Mondays dark). Weekend and Wednesday matinees at 1:30pm

Opening Night: Friday, March 24, 2023 at 7:30pm

Closing Day: Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 1:30pm

Previews: Tuesday, March 21, Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 24 at 7:30pm

Where: Guloien Theatre (Crow's Theatre) 345 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto

Price: Tickets ranging from $28 - $90. Lmited PWYC dates available. To purchase tickets, please visit tickets.crowstheatre.com

Photo: Dean Gilmour and Daniel Richard Henkel.