Factory Theatre and b current to Stage World Premiere of TWISTED

Factory presents the world premiere of TWISTED, a spoken word and prose collaboration between playwrights Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman and Joseph Jomo Pierre. TWISTED is directed by Factory Theatre's Associate Artistic Director, Nigel Shawn Williams, with music composed by Hagler, producer of Drake.

TWISTED is a modern-day reimagining of the Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, set in the heart of Toronto's urban centre. In this retelling, Ollie, an orphaned black youth, and bottom girl Nancy are trying to survive the gritty streets of Toronto. Ollie has been in and out of foster homes and Nancy suffers from a loveless childhood, but they find love in each other, at least through their cell phones. Through their intimate and poetic text messages, they forge a powerful real-time connection - and plan a dangerous escape for a better life. Together.

"People think true intimacy is touching someone. Well let me tell you... I get a text, I feel close inside." Nancy, TWISTED

Mixing spoken word poetry, hip-hop, and prose, TWISTED is a 21st Century love story committed to exposing modern social injustice. Like the work of Dickens from 200 years ago, TWISTED gives voice to the unheard, represents the fringes of society, and reveals the true cost of love.

Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and an award-winning playwright. Her writing credits include The Summer of February (CBC radio play); The End of Pretending; Scratch (winner of the Herman Voaden Award and Dora Award nominee for Outstanding New Play); and a co-creator of Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show.

Joseph Jomo Pierre is a playwright, actor, and self-proclaimed 'Child of Hip-Hop.' Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Scarborough his plays include Shakespeare's Nigga, Born Ready, and Pusha-Man. Pierre served a consulting director for Allan King's final documentary Empz 4 Life, which was inspired partly by his play, Born Ready.

TWISTED stars Susanna Fournier and Ngabo Nabea. Fournier is an actor and playwright who works in film, television and theatre. Acting credits include X-MEN: Days of Future Past, Rookie Blue, Murdoch Mysteries, Pride and Prejudice (Grand Theatre); True Love Lies (Factory); and The Diary of Anne Frank (Segal Centre).

Factory is proud to introduce Ngabo Nabea in his first professional performance in Canada. Born in Toronto, Nabea spent his childhood years living in Africa and Europe. Nabea recently returned to Toronto to finish his studies in theatre at Ryerson University where he has appeared in Jesus Hopped the A-Train, King Lear and Proof.

Factory. Theatre with Grit. Since its founding in 1970, Factory's vision has always conveyed indomitable courage, resolve, toughness, tenaciousness, and strength of character. In other words, grit. Theatre with grit is about tackling uncomfortable truths and imagining a Canada where ALL Canadian stories can be told in full colour; about nurturing and recognizing artists who are proud of their heritage and possess an authentic theatrical voice; and about pushing boundaries of theatrical form and practice. This is Factory. Theatre with Grit.

b current is the hotbed for culturally-rooted theatre development in Toronto. Originally founded as a place for black artists to create, nurture, and present their new works, the company has grown to support artists from all diasporas. Over the past 23 years, b current has created space for diverse voices to be heard, always with a focus on engaging the communities from which the stories emerge.

Factory, 125 Bathurst Street (at Adelaide)Run Dates: January 31 to February 22, 2015Opening Night: Thursday, February 5, 2015 @ 8pmMedia Night: February 6, 2015Tuesday - Saturday @ 8pm • Sundays @ 2pmTicket prices range from $23-$45 (plus applicable service charges) and can be purchased online at www.factorytheatre.ca or by calling 416.504.9971Student/Senior/Arts Worker discounts and Pay-What-You-Can Sunday Matinee tickets available.

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