Theatre Francais de Toronto's Gravity-Defying Spectacle LEO Begins Today

Théâtre français de Toronto and PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC, present LEO, a mind-bending, funny, surreal, and surprisingly touching work that challenges the senses and tests perceptions of reality through the clever interplay of live acrobatic performance and video projection. Directed by the Montréal actor and director Daniel Brière, and based on an original idea by the multi-talented performer Tobias Wegner, LEO begins tonight, July 17, and runs through the 19th at the Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, as part of the Arts and Culture Festival PANAMANIA presented by CIBC.

LEO is the unusual journey of an otherwise ordinary man whose world becomes physically unhinged. When we discover LEO, he is alone with just a small suitcase, whiling away time in a simple room. As time passes LEO becomes increasingly aware that all may not be what it seems in his world. A wordless physical-theatre tour de force LEO marries mime, movement, illusion and animation, leaving audience members wondering which way is up and which way is down.

Time Out New York called LEO "an eye-teasing, grin-inducing, deeply impressive work of sustained absurdist magic" while Backstage described LEO as "mind-blowing, a refreshingly original concept that enchants at every turn." The Scotsman (UK) said LEO was "eloquent and memorable" while The Associated Press (USA) hailed it as "Brilliant, charming, clever...one man's quest for freedom takes Leo and the audience on a fantastical, memorable journey together."

LEO has won several major awards including the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award, the Three Weeks Editors Award, the Scotsman Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and more recently, won the John Chataway Award for Innovation at the 2013 Adelaide Fringe Festival. LEO has dazzled audiences and critics from New York to Berlin, from Melbourne to Hong Kong with stops in Montréal, Moscow and London along the way. LEO is now touring in countries all around the world.

DETAILS:

LEO

Directed by Daniel Brière. Original performer / Idea: Tobias Wegner. Performer: Julian Schulz.

Set and Lighting Design: Flavia Hevia; Video Design: Heiko Kalmbach; Animation: Ingo Panke; Costume Design: Heather MacCrimmon.

To view a clip of LEO click here.

Produced by Productions Y2D (Montreal) in association with Chamäleon Productions (Berlin).

LEO based on an original idea by Tobias Wegner

Directed by Daniel Brière

Performed by Julian Schulz

July 17 to 19, 2015

Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W, Toronto

Performances: Fri., July 17 at 7 PM | Sat., July 18 at 1 PM and 7PM | Sun., July 19 at 1 PM

Tickets: Section C: 20$, Section B: 30$, Section A: 35$

Box Office: www.theatrefrancais.com | (416) 534-6604 or 1-800-819-4981

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