September 26 to October 11, 2008
Although the topic - cancer - is grim, Edson says that Wit is about love and knowledge, grace and redemption. She uses the word “wit” not so much to convey a sense of comedy (although there are several moments of intelligent humour) but rather to reflect the natural ability to perceive and understand. In order to convey all these concepts, Edson says, she had to write about their opposites: “So the play is about miscommunication and misunderstanding and posturing and arrogance," and while it is a play about death and dying, what seems to have impressed audiences is the lesson it presents for the living.”
November 14 to 29, 2008
Talking Heads is a series of monologues, each of which depict several stages in each character's decline from an initial state of denial or ignorance of their predicament, through a slow realization of the hopelessness of their situation, and then progressing to a bleak or ambiguous conclusion. But its COMEDY. Seriously. We've chosen three from Bennett's collection: A Lady of Letters, Her Big Chance and Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet.
January 16 to 31, 2009
This adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was first produced at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago during 1986. The script won a Joseph Jefferson Citation for New Work. A second staging at Lifeline Theatre in 1991 led to a performance as part of the Chicago Theatre's on the Air radio program. In 1999, the play was rewritten for the Festival Stage at the Stratford Festival of Ontario, where it had a successful run.
March 11 to 28, 2009
Since 1989, the New Ideas Festival has showcased never-before-produced short scripts, in an engaging mix of stories and styles. This annual juried festival also affords the audience an opportunity to give feedback to writers, directors and actors. Join us for a new lineup each week, and get involved via optional talkback sessions or feedback forms. Have your say in the development of new Canadian theatre!
April 17 to May 2, 2009
Set in contemporary London, Closer tells the story of four people in the “body business”. Dan the obituary writer, Alice the stripper, Anna the photographer and Larry the dermatologist who, over a period of years, meet and fall in love. It has been described as a work that “gets under its audiences skin, a work in which Marber is alert to the cruel inequalities of love as the characters change partners in what sometimes comes over like a modern reworking of Coward's Private Lives.”
ALUMNAE THEATRE COMPANY
70 Berkeley Street
Toronto, Ontario • M5A 2W6
Phone: 416-364-4170
Email: contactus@alumnaetheatre.com