MARINE LIFE 2017
This apocalyptic comedy written and directed by Rosa Labordé, starring Fabrizio Fillipo and Nicola Correia-Damude, is coming to the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto as part of their 2017 season. Stay tuned…
Ayelen written and directed by Gilda Monreal
Criminal Theatre is proud to announce it’s involvement in the development of Gilda Monreal’s stunning Ayelen, under the mentorship of Rosa Laborde. Returning after its smash success at SummerWorks 2015 and Caminos 2015, Ayelen’s story takes place in an unnamed land governed by corruption and absolute power. In a den of iniquity, where lost souls attempt to steal her essence, her truth and her life, Ayelen’s relentless perseverance will transform the underground world forevermore.
Gilda Monreal, also known as “Fiya Bruxa”, is an international award winning visual artist, actress, filmmaker, and writer. She is also Co-Director of the Essencia Arts Collective, who believes that art can be a tool for social change and community empowerment. Her artistic vision is a social one that questions and celebrates the beauty, dignity and perseverance of those who have or continue to overcome adversity and oppression. Her work has been produced in Canada, USA, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, France, Sweden and Senegal. ( www.fiyabruxa.com )
Returning to that TRUE frame of mind
On the cusp of returning to that TRUE frame of mind: polish up the bad memory, oppress the bad conscience, find a way to speak the gorgeous musicality of Rosa Laborde’s writing. Get ready to hang out with my three beautiful and gifted stage daughters and my brilliant piano-playing stage son in law. There is much joy in this sad story. That’s the odd thing about tragedy it brings out the comedy in my life. I don’t want to give anything away to those who may read this blog and have not seen the play yet…perhaps I’ll strike an encouraging note, offer some little worm on a hook, tease the reader into seeing what offers one of the most challenging roles in my “tour of the north.” Please read that last sentence in an English accent…now think Canadian….there’s no bacon in this play, but there is plenty of avocado and guacamole…the play is written by a Chilean woman who makes her guacamole without garlic. I don’t know how she dreamed up this Freudian puzzle of a play, but I am most grateful that she did and that I along with my show others have another ten day crack at getting it right. I fear the RIGHT part may never quite happen…but getting it close to right requires you to come and see it. The Citizenry Cafe – is an experiment in fashion and nutella chocolate lattes along with the Fado atmosphere – I guarantee you a surprizing night out one with the vapours of a family of three sisters and a father they don’t know what to do with. I often heard peoples comments after the show: “there’s something about those sisters that makes sense. They kind of look alike, but not really…they just seem like sisters, you know, COMPLEX.”
Layne Coleman