Two Planks announces upcoming off the grid season
Two Planks and a Passion Theatre’s artistic director Ken Schwartz launched the company’s 26th season April 25.
In the historic setting of the Women’s Council House in Halifax, he announced the season will include the world premiere of ‘Nothing Less!’
This new work is written by well-known writer Ami Mckay and Schwartz. It will be the story of a group of Nova Scotian Suffragists in 1917 and their unusual plan to reach their goal.
The summer will also feature A Midsummer Night’s Dream, he said, in a unique fireside production of one of Shakespeare most beloved works.
“Little did we know when we embarked on the creation of Nothing Less! that current events would make the dramatization of the struggle of suffragists 100 years ago such a timely piece of work” said Schwartz. “It not only serves as a reminder of all that was accomplished 100 years ago, but also of the work yet to be done.”
According to Schwartz, the productions will begin previews July 4 and both productions open July 8.
The cast will include some of the finest performers working in Canada, he noted, many familiar to Two Planks audiences. Returning performers include Burgandy Code, Graham Percy, Jamie Konchak, Jeff Schwager, Chris O’neill, Ryan Rogerson, Stephanie Macdonald, Andrea Lee Norwood, Devin Mackinnon and Victoria Houser. New to the company is Riel Reddick-stevens.
Mckay will act as musical director for the season. Laura Caswell will be movement director for Nothing Less!
The award winning Jennifer Goodman is returning to design costumes and Schwartz will direct both productions. Robin Munro returns for her third season as stage manager.
“We are pleased that Jim Morrow of Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia returns to work as a puppetry consultant with members of the company,” said Schwartz.
“Jim helped create the award-winning puppetry in our production of The Tempest in 2015. Mermaid Theatre has also assisted the company with a residency in April in preparation for our production of A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, and we are both grateful and proud to continue this association.”
According to Schwartz, for 25 years Two Planks has been dedicated to the “creation of vital, challenging drama that reveals our audiences’ complex humanity, and reflects our disappearing rural existence to an increasingly urban landscape.”