Videocabaret's THE WAR OF 1812 Continues at Young Centre, April 9
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 19, 2013
The remarkable unfolding of the Canadian universe, according to Michael Hollingsworth, continues with THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF THE SMALL HUTS, 1812-15, presented by VIDEOCABARET in association with the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
When America declares war on Britain and her empire, a native confederation led by Shawnee Chief Tecumseh defends its own territory by joining in the defense of Canada. After three years of bloodshed on land and lake, the Yankees have burned York, the Yorkees have burNed Washington, and everyone has burned the Natives.
Toronto area theatre-lovers who were unable to get a ticket to the sold-out run at the Stratford Festival have another chance. Tickets are now on sale at the Young Centre Box Office. The run begins Tues April 9.
The War of 1812 will be waged by the brave-hearted VideoCab troops, still fragrant from their heroic conquest of Stratford in 2012. At the invitation of Albert Schultz and Leslie Lester, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts will be our theatre of war. The War of 1812 previews Tuesday April 9 - two hundred years to the month since the original drama inflamed the town of York.
In welcoming VideoCabaret, Soulpepper's Albert Schultz states: "There are very few artists in the world that manage to be seminal and groundbreaking at once ... in Toronto (and perhaps alone in Ontario) it is Michael Hollingsworth and Deanne Taylor's VideoCabaret ... for four decades these masterly renegades have been pushing down walls at the same time that they have been constructing a profoundly sound and unique artistic aesthetic."
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, John Strachan, Governor General Prevost, Laura Secord, James & Dolly Madison, General Winfield Scott.
The War of 1812 is a newly devised chapter in Michael Hollingsworth's 21-part play-cycle, The History of the Village of the Small Huts, which dramatises and satirises Canada's history from Chief Donnacona and Jacques Cartier to recent times, capturing Canadian society high and low, seized by powerful ideas and passions. 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. The company's extraordinary artists are recognized by dozens of Dora Awards and scores of Nominations, including 2012 Nominations (Production, Direction, Ensemble, Lighting, Sound) plus the Award to Astrid Janson for Costumes In 2011 the Silver Ticket Award for outstanding contribution to the development of Canadian theatre was given to Michael Hollingsworth by previous honourees.
THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF THE SMALL HUTS, 1812-15, written and directed by Michael Hollingsworth, will star Paul Braunstein, Aurora Browne, Richard Alan Campbell, Richard Clarkin Mac Fyfe, Derek Garza, Jacob James and Linda Prystawska.
Creative Team: Associate Director Deanne Taylor, Set and Lighting Andy Moro, Costume Design Astrid Janson, Music Brent Snyder, Sound Design Jake Blackwood, Brent Snyder, Stage Manager Andrew Dollar Ass't Costume Design Melanie McNeill , Props Brad Harley, Wigs Alice Norton, Ass't Stage Manager Laurie Merredew, Production Assistant Adam Barrett. Producers Jim LeFrancois, Deanne Taylor.
The production begins APRIL 9 for a limited run at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Shows Tues-Sat at 7:30pm, Tues & Thurs at 1:30pm and Sat at 2pm. Tickets $20-$50* Box Office 416-866-8666 / www.youngcentre.ca / www.videocab.com. *Plus service charges & HST. Ticket prices include HST.
VideoCabaret is one of Canada's most inventive, prolific and celebrated theatre ensembles. Since 1976 the company's founders Michael Hollingsworth and Deanne Taylor have created many enduring plays, and with renowned designers and actors have devised spectacularly original styles of performance - black- box epics, multi-media cabarets, musicals, opera, and masquerades.
In the 80's and 90's, Deanne and collaborators honed the 'video-cabaret' staging-style to realize her plays about mass-media politics. In the same period, the company invented the 'black-box' style for Michael's epic play- cycle, The History of the Village of the Small Huts.
In 2000, VideoCab refurbished a theatre space in Toronto, where the company is creating new work, re- inventing their classic History Plays, and supporting play workshops for Guest Artists.
VideoCabaret's work has received twenty-four Dora Mavor Moore Awards, and scores of Nominations including 2012: Outstanding Production, Direction, Acting Ensemble, Lighting, Costumes. In 2011, Michael Hollingsworth was awarded the Silver Ticket for outstanding contribution to the development of Canadian theatre.
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