Performers get political for cabaret
Local artists tackle election topics in one-night-only show Gravity
The timing isn’t coincidental. Arts and politics mix it up Wednesday — less than a week before the federal election — when 20 of Edmonton’s most original theatre, dance, burlesque, improv and spoken word stars celebrate all things political, live, at Metro Cinema.
Gravity, a one-night-only cabaret created especially for the preelection ether, is the brainchild of Mike Hudema of Greenpeace Canada, along with Beth and Megan Dart of Catch The Keys Productions, Sheiny Satanove of Punctuate! Theatre, Heather Inglis of Theatre Yes.
“I’ve always wanted to see more political art, more voices,” Hudema says. “Artists are always on the forefront of political change ... It’s a different way to voice opinions and express critiques.”
The offerings are mostly new, created from the current headlines. Hudema expects we’ll see art directed at the election, but embracing broader topics, climate change and the environment, for example, refugee rights, the sta- tus of women, social attitudes, or First Nations issues. Rapid Fire Theatre stars Ben Gorodetsky and Todd Houseman, the multicultural Folk Lordz improv team from Rapid Fire Theatre, explore the latter in their improvised contribution.
The Interview, a new 10-minute satire by Marty Chan (The Old Boys’ Club), structured as a series of interviews with the Conservative, Liberal and NDP leaders, has a go at the “he’s not ready” attack ads. Inglis directs; her cast includes Gorodetsky, Beth Graham and Dave Horak. The Gravity lineup also includes Mump (Michael Kennard) of the horror clown duo Mump and Smoot, playwright Kristine Nutting, poet Ahmed Knowmadic, Shiva Kiaras, Aditi Gupta and Ahlam Sadik, Good Women Dance, Mile Zero Dance, and the Secret Burlesque Society. The emcee is writer/actor/playwright/composer/musician Darrin Hagen, of Guys in Disguise.
Gravity happens at Metro Cinema (a.k.a. the Garneau Theatre, 8712 109th St.) Wednesday 7 p.m. The $10 tickets are available at Metro Cinema or the door.