PHOTOS: Get a Peek at VideoCabaret's THE WAR OF 1812; Begins 4/9 at Young Centre for the Performing Arts

'The War of 1812' will be waged by the brave-hearted VideoCab troops, still fragrant from their heroic conquest of Stratford in 2012. Staged in VideoCabaret's signature 'black-box' style, The War of 1812 challenges designers and performers to conjure up dozens of characters in tiny shards of light, with Dervish level choreography. Eight actors portray more than fifty-five characters, including Sir Isaac Brock, Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, John Strachan, Governor General Prevost, Laura Secord, President Madison, Dolly Madison and General Winfield Scott.

'The War of 1812' is a newly devised chapter in Michael Hollingsworth's epic 21-part play-cycle, The History of the Village of the Small Huts, which satirizes and dramatizes Canada's history from Chief Donnacona and Jacques Cartier through to recent times - stories that capture Canadian society high and low, seized by powerful ideas and passions. In each play, the Acting Ensemble portrays dozens of characters, the legends and losers who made this country what it is. Michael's wildly original scripts are matched by the ensemble's extraordinary staging technique and visual style. The History Plays premiered 1985-99, delighting audiences with spectacle and substance. VideoCabaret is now re-inventing the Repertoire, and winning new audiences and honours for these classic plays.

For tickets, click here.

Photo credit: Michael Cooper

Richard Alan Campbell, Anand Rajaram, Jacob James, Greg Campbell, Linda Prystawska, as British and American Soldiers Mac Fyfe & Richard Clarkin as Captain Fitzgibbon & General Winfield Scott

Michaela Washburn as Sophia Shaw

Jacob James & Linda Prystawska as American Soldiers

Richard Alan Campbell as General William Harrison, Greg Campbell, Richard Clarkin, Mac Fyfe, as American Soldiers, Michaela Washburn, Anand Rajaram as Lady and General William Hull, Linda Prystawska & Jacob James as Dolly and President James Madison

Richard Alan Campbell as General William Harrison, Greg Campbell & Jacob James as American Soldiers, Michaela Washburn & Anand Rajaram as The Prophet and Tecumseh

Jacob James, Linda Prystawska, as Reverend and Anne Strachan, Greg Campbell & Mac Fyfe as Governor General Prevost and Aeneas Shaw, (foreground) Michaela Washburn as Sophia Shaw & Richard Clarkin as Sir Isaac Brock