Magnetic North Festival

Thu Apr 22 14:18:20 EDT 2004

MEDIA RELEASE      

MAGNETIC NORTH THEATRE FESTIVAL 

EDMONTON 2004 

Festival Line-Up Announced

Edmonton, Alberta - Presented by SuperPages, the Magnetic North Theatre Festival is thrilled to announce the 2004 Festival line-up set to take place in Edmonton, June 9 - 19. Partnering with Edmonton's vibrant theatre community and co-presenter, Canada's National Arts Centre, the festival showcases 11 outstanding productions of compelling, contemporary Canadian theatre. From British Columbia to Newfoundland, from political comedy to riveting drama, Magnetic North offers great theatre for all ages and interests. 

With a renowned reputation as a leading festival city with a well-recognized theatre community, Edmonton is a natural choice as the first city to host Magnetic North since its successful premiere in Ottawa in 2003. Partnering with 18 local theatre companies and hosted by five theatre venues, the festival is an exciting and rare opportunity to take in a provocative range of some of the best Canadian theatre from coast to coast. 

Festival productions are selected by Magnetic North's Artistic Director Mary Vingoe.  "Traveling across Canada to curate this Festival, I consistently witness a vibrant and dynamic national theatre scene. We are delighted to bring a sample of that excellence to Edmonton and to partner with a renowned festival city applauded for its innovative and unified theatre community," says Vingoe.  

The partnership between Magnetic North and Canada's National Arts Centre fulfills an important national objective. "Among the NAC English Theatre's most cherished goals is our mandate to help nurture theatre throughout Canada and that's just what Magnetic North is all about," says Marti Maraden, Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre English Theatre. "I look forward to traveling with this great young festival to its 2004 home, Edmonton, which this year, celebrates its centenary."

Magnetic North has gained momentum as the place to experience 'the gathering storm' in Canadian theatre and this year's line-up is no exception. 

The Western Canada Theatre from Kamloops presents Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout, the first play in over 10 years from acclaimed playwright Tomson Highway. This local story carries a message with impact and a national punch line. Ernestine is sponsored by Petro Canada. 

Toronto's Nightwood Theatre presents the Dora Mavor Moore award-winning production, The Danish Play by Sonja Mills and starring Kate Hennig. ".one of the strongest and most wrenching pieces of theatre so far this season." (Toronto Star)

Morris Panych's Earshot, from The Playhouse in Vancouver stars Randy Hughson in a one-man tour de force. A dark comedy of infrasonic sensitivity, Earshot has been described as "shocking and engaging theatre." (Vancouver Sun)

The Adventures of Ali & Ali and the Axes of Evil is a timely, political and comedic contemporary cabaret from NeWorld Theatre in Vancouver and Cahoots Theatre Projects in Toronto.

Mulgrave Road Theatre from Nova Scotia presents Lauchie, Liza and Rory, artfully adapted by Sheldon Currie (renowned for The Glace Bay Miners' Museum) and ingeniously staged by Mary-Colin Chisholm.

I, Claudia is a remarkable multi-character, solo mask play written and performed by Kristen Thomson from Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. ".a stupendous character actress.a heart-stoppingly honest comedian." (The Globe and Mail) 

Tempting Providence, by Robert Chafe and Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, is the courageous and compassionate biography of nurse Myra Bennett who became known throughout Newfoundland and Labrador as the "Florence Nightingale of the North."

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Leading Canadian actor Richard McMillan portrays over 30 characters from the court of King Louis XIV in the one-man play Through the Eyes by Don Druick, from Factory Theatre in Toronto.

Five time Jessie award winner, BRILLIANT! The Blinding Enlightenment of Nikola Tesla, chronicles the explosive career of genius Nikola Tesla by the Electric Company from Vancouver. 

Magnetic North and the Imperial Oil Foundation present Magnetic Kids, an opportunity for families and students to experience some of the most delightful entertainment for young people on the planet - right here in Edmonton. 

Théâtre de l'Oil, whose productions feature exquisite puppetry present Dear Fizzy (English) / La Félicité (French). Performances are available in French and English, in collaboration with L'UniThéâtre.

Cirkus Inferno, by the Daredevil Opera Company from Scotland, Ontario, uses live music and sound effects, slapstick, pyrotechnics and outrageous props to create a hilarious form of live action cartoon. 

The Magnetic North Theatre Festival and BMO Financial Group is proud to present Magnetic Encounters. It's a sizzling opportunity to participate in an exciting and intimate exchange with artists, critics and more - from across Canada and around the world. Programming includes a Speaker Series, Lunchtime Panels, Tea with the Artists, an Arts Market, Master Classes and Round Tables on Touring.   

All performances and events will take place at the five official host venues of the festival including the Timms Centre for the Arts provided by the University of Alberta Faculty of Arts, Citadel Theatre, Catalyst Theatre, Varscona Theatre and the TransAlta Arts Barns provided by Fringe Theatre Adventures. 

Festival Passes are available now at TIX on the Square at (780) 420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca Single tickets go on sale May 1st. Tickets for Magnetic Encounters are only available at the door prior to each event. Check out the Magnetic North Festival Brochure for more Festival details and visit www.magneticnorthfestival.ca

The Magnetic North Theatre Festival gratefully acknowledges the generous support of its funders, sponsors and supporters. 

Title Sponsor: SuperPages

Co-presented by: Canada's National Arts Centre

Public Funders: Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Department of Foreign Affairs, Alberta Community Development, The City of Edmonton, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Human Resources and Development Canada

Private Funders: Imperial Oil Foundation, BMO Financial Group, Petro Canada, *WestJet, The Craig Foundation, The McLean Foundation

Media Sponsors: CBC Radio-Canada, Edmonton Journal, EZ Rock Radio (Magnetic Kids)

Supporters: Edmonton Arts Council, TELUS Centre for Professional Development, Theatre Alberta, TIX on the Square

*Festival patrons can access special discounted flights through WestJet at www.magneticnorthfestival.ca

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More detailed information on each production follows. Please visit the "press room" for high-resolution photos and up-to-the-minute information at www.magneticnorthfestival.ca

Contact: Rosemary Williams or Alexandra Shewchuk, Bottom Line Productions, Edmonton

PHONE: (780) 988-8914

EMAIL: rosemary at bottomlinepro.com / alexandra at bottomlinepro.com

Rosemary Williams
Bottom Line Productions
100, 6960 Roper Road
Edmonton   T6B 3H9
P: (780) 988-8914
F: (780) 988-6509
www.bottomlinepro.com
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