Art of Time Ensemble Presents I SEND YOU THIS CADMIUM RED, Now thru 4/12

Art of Time Ensemble's unprecedented and engaging production I Send You This Cadmium Red returns to the stage this spring. The critically acclaimed show is an exploration of the senses, merging music, theatre and striking visual projections to kaleidoscopic effect. Originally presented in 2011 to unanimous rave reviews, the remount features additional, never-before-heard music by composer Gavin Bryars (The Sinking of the Titanic), direction by Daniel Brooks (House, Possible Worlds) and musical direction by Andrew Burashko. Julian Richings (Helmlock Grove, Orphan Black) and John Fitzgerald Jay (True Crimes, Half Life) reprise their original roles, performing alongside ensemble musicians playing Bryars' music and visual projections created by Bruce Alcock. On stage from today, April 9 to 12 at the intimate Enwave Theatre, I Send You This Cadmium Red promises to be a stunning return.

In 1997, poet/art critic and Booker Prize-winning novelist John Berger and painter/filmmaker John Christie began a discussion about the nature of colour through an exchange of letters lovingly and expressively written. Three years later their correspondence was made into a book, which was adapted into a radio play by the BBC in 2002, with original music created by Bryars. Art of Time Ensemble's unique production brings this correspondence to life, led by the direction of the award-winning Daniel Brooks.

"I'm a huge John Berger fan and when Gavin (Bryars) sent me the incredible recording for the radio program, it sparked an idea for a live performance," said Art of Time Ensemble artistic director Andrew Burashko. "We've been fortunate to work with extremely talented artists to create a very special show with I Send You This Cadmium Red - and it's exciting for us to revisit it with new music in a new space. We want to make sure audiences have the chance to experience this profoundly sensual and moving piece."

In I Send You This Cadmium Red, Berger (Richings) and Christie (Jay) meditate on colours, evoking metaphors in art, music and other remarkable connections. Alcock's set and imagery creates a world of colour through an animated backdrop that enhances the exchange of thoughts on stage. Music, lighting and animation fuse with text to create a theatrical experience for all of the senses.

Originally created in collaboration with Canadian Stage in 2011, the production was praised by critics of both music and theatre, with Brian Johnson of Maclean's Magazine describing it as "a film, a painting, an essay, a concert - and yes, a play - all at once. Therefore none of the above. It's something else entirely. And it's extraordinary."

Art of Time brings a fresh staging of the play to the Enwave Theatre, with new music by the original composer (Bryars) performed by long-time Art of Time collaborators - including Carolyn Blackwell (viola), Robert Carli (bass clarinet), Joseph Phillips (bass), and Rob Piltch (guitar).

I Send You This Cadmium Red runs 60 minutes without an intermission, and is on stage from today, April 9 to 12 at the Enwave Theatre (231 Queens Quay West). Tickets from $25 to $59 are available online at harbourfrontcentre.com, by phone at 416.973.4000 or in-person at the box office.

Photo by John Lauener

To post a comment, you must register and login.