Grand Theatre Announces the World Premiere of SILENCE

he Grand Theatre is thrilled to announce the world premiere of SILENCE, which brings an untold Canadian story to life on stage. This inaugural production from the COMPASS New Play Development program features a cast that embodies the best in Canadian theatre with actors who are hearing, Deaf, and hard of hearing.

SILENCE is on stage January 16, with the opening night on January 19 which will be an open-captioned performance. The production was originally commissioned and developed through FUSE: The Enbridge New Play Development Program at Theatre Calgary. The Title Sponsor for SILENCE is Bell.

"I read every book I could find about Bell, his work and his family. As I read, I found I was pulled towards Mabel, rather than Alec," said SILENCE playwright Trina Davies. "She was an extraordinary person who captured my admiration and imagination. I considered the potentially epic proportions of long-term relationships, and particular communication within these relationships. So much of what is understood has nothing to do with the words that are used, but is communicated in a look, a touch, a gesture, the positioning of a shoulder. How do we connect? How do we stay connected?"

SILENCE uncovers the life of the remarkable woman often overshadowed by one of Canada's most important historic figures, Alexander Graham Bell. This beautiful (and true) story follows Mabel Gardiner Hubbard, who was deaf, as she meets and falls in love with the future inventor of the telephone. This new play is written from Mabel's perspective, immersing the audience into her experience.

"Like many love stories, it is also a story about loss," said Director Peter Hinton. "When Mabel Hubbard gained her deafness, she discovered in herself untapped resources and skills, and a creativity and power that many women of her social class and standing never would. Perhaps it was this genius that Alec fell in love with."

The production will feature Tara Rosling as Mabel Bell, Graham Cuthbertson as Alexander Graham Bell, Catherine Joell MacKinnon as Eliza Bell, Suzanne Bennett as Gertrude Mercer McCurdy Hubbard, Madelyn Norad as Berta Hubbard, and Michael Spencer-Davis as Gardiner Greene Hubbard. Actors from the Deaf and hard of hearing community will be supported by ASL English interpreters Rosalie Vissers and Jude Thomas.

There will be two open-captioned and two ASL-interpreted performances in the run:

Open-Captioned Performances Friday, January 19 at 8 pm
Saturday, January 20 at 2 pm

ASL-Interpreted Performances Wednesday, January 24 at 11:00am
Sunday, January 28 at 2:00pm

For pricing and information on designated seating for both open-captioned and ASL-interpreted performances please visit grandtheatre.com/accessibility or contact the box office at boxoffice@grandtheatre.com.

"SILENCE had me in tears the first time I read it. Playwright Trina Davies uses a powerful staging device - silence - in a way that will leave you breathless. I'm thrilled and honoured to have this story be our first new play in COMPASS, our new play development program," said Dennis Garnhum, Grand Theatre Artistic Director.

The Grand Theatre dedicates the World Premiere of SILENCE to Iris Turcott, a London born dramaturg who worked on the development of this play. Iris was known as an extraordinary champion of new work for stages across Canada.

SILENCE is on the Spriet Stage from January 16 to February 3. Tickets are $29.95 to $88 (includes HST and CIF - prices subject to change). Tickets are available at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.

The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the 2017/18 Season Sponsor BMO Financial Group.

About the Grand Theatre:
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub proudly located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original homegrown stories through COMPASS, a New Play Development Program. The Grand supports educational programming and youth mentorship such as The High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America, and 100 Schools, a new community initiative that brings professional theatre to London-area schools in 2018 at no cost. A not-for-profit regional theatre, the Grand produces and presents professional theatre on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the McManus Stage (144 seats). The Grand's season runs from September to May. The 2017/18 Season is on sale.

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