Toronto's Tarragon Theatre Presents THE DROWNING GIRLS Tonight, 10/14

THE DROWNING GIRLS opens in the Tarragon Theatre's Extra Space tonight, Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 8:00 pm. Previews began Tuesday, October 6. THE DROWNING GIRLS was written by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, Daniela Vlaskalic and is directed by Charlie Tomlinson.

As THE DROWNING GIRLS opens, Bessie (Daniela Vlaskalic), Alice (Beth Graham) and Margaret (Natascha Girgis) emerge from bathtubs full of water to relive their romance with George Joseph Smith, the man who married each one of them, and offered them reprieve from the lonely life of a spinster. Unfortunately, George Joseph Smith was far from the loving husband these women hoped for. Instead, he was an Edwardian opportunist - a notorious scoundrel - who drowned his three wives in their baths to collect their insurance policies. As the women make their case against their murderous husband, it becomes clear what an unscrupulous man will do for money, and what a desperate woman will do for status. Full of rich images, a myriad of characters, and lyrical language, THE DROWNING GIRLS is both a fantasia and social critique.

Daniela Vlaskalic and Beth Graham met at the University of Alberta while completing their Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees in acting. After graduating from the program in 1998, Daniela and Beth teamed up with Charlie Tomlinson, to create THE DROWNING GIRLS.

The original version of the play premiered at the 1999 Edmonton Fringe Festival. It was nominated for five Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards, and received four: Outstanding Production, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Actress and Outstanding New Play. This original version of THE DROWNING GIRLS went to the On the Waterfront Festival in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

In 2007, Beth, Daniela and Charlie approached Alberta Theatre Projects with their wish to revisit and reinvent THE DROWNING GIRLS. Bretta Gerecke (set & costume), Narda McCarroll (lighting) and Peter Moller (sound) became the production designers and a new full-length version of the play was created. After its premiere at ATP's 2008 playRites festival in Calgary, Bent Out of Shape Productions produced a successful run at Edmonton's Catalyst Theatre. That year, the play received four Betty Mitchell awards and was nominated for two Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards. Tarragon Theatre is thrilled to bring such a celebrated production to Toronto. After their run at Tarragon, THE DROWNING GIRLS will be touring to Richmond (Gateway Theatre), Victoria (Belfry Theatre), Saskatoon (Persephone Theatre) and Edmonton (Citadel Theatre).

Prices start at $19; seniors' and students' prices are available. Friday night rush tickets are $10. Tickets for The Drowning Girls are available online tickets.tarragontheatre.com or through the Box Office at 416-531-1827.

For more information, visit www.tarragontheatre.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.