Performance Notice: Masque for a Reaney Day

[Kathy Chung]

Hi All,

F.Y.I. -- Here's a notice of a programme of masques based on the work of
James Reaney.  It's presented by a new company, the Toronto Masque Theatre.

Cheers, --- Kathy.
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Toronto Masque Theatre
383 Huron Street, Toronto ON M5S 2G5
(416)-410-4561 *  torontomasquetheatre at sympatico.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                       TORONTO MASQUE THEATRE

                                        Masques for a Reaney Day

Toronto, October 28, 2004 - Toronto Masque Theatre, an exciting new company
under the artistic direction of Larry Beckwith, presents a program centred
on the poetry and drama of James Reaney, entitled Masques for a Reaney Day.
The performances will take place January 13 to 15, 2005 at 8 p.m. and
January 16, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. at the Tarragon Theatre Extra Space (30
Bridgman Avenue, Toronto). This innovative program combines dramatic and
musical works, featuring One Man Masque by James Reaney; In the Middle of
Ordinary Noise: An Auditory Masque by John Beckwith, a setting of texts by
Reaney, inspired by autobiographical writings of Northrop Frye; and the
world premiere of a new work by Abigail Richardson called Two Songs, set to
poetry by Reaney. The featured performers are Teri Dunn, soprano, Alexander
Dobson, baritone, Robert Kortgaard and Peter Tiefenbach, pianists, Peter
Stoll, clarinetist, Derek Boyes, narrator, and Jeff Culbert, actor.

James Reaney, one of Canada's favourite playwrights and poets, is the
winner of three Governor General's Awards for poetry. Born near Stratford,
Ontario, in 1926, he has taught English at the University of Western
Ontario and the University of Manitoba. His play Colours in the Dark was
produced at the Stratford Festival and National Arts Centre, and The
Donnelly Trilogy toured nationally. His recently released collection of
musical writings, called Scripts: Librettos for Operas and Other Musical
Works (Coach House, 2004), is edited by his long-time collaborator, the
composer, music scholar and writer John Beckwith, with whom he has
co-authored three operas.

As part of this program, Toronto Masque Theatre is delighted to present a
commission by young Toronto-based composer Abigail Richardson (DMus,
University of Toronto), which she has based on works by Reaney. In 2004,
Richardson was awarded the first Karen Kieser Prize in Canadian Music and
was honoured to have her work selected in the under-30 category at the
International Rostrum of Composers. Toronto Masque Theatre is committed to
exploring new works and is proud that Richardson's Two Songs will mark the
premiere of its second commission. In May 2004, the company presented James
Rolfe's Orpheus and Eurydice, which will be broadcast on CBC Radio Two's
"Two New Hours" on January 9, 2005.

The masque is a fascinating multimedia art form that combines literature,
drama, music and dance in a delightful artistic whole. Toronto Masque
Theatre was launched in 2003 as a company of emerging and established
artists rooted in the traditions of Renaissance and Baroque masques,
bringing them to life in fresh, new ways as well as exploring contemporary
works that complement and contrast with the early forms. Artistic director
Larry Beckwith says, "My dream for the company is that it will act as a
meeting place for lovers of the arts of all kinds, from modernists to
Baroque enthusiasts, from fans of Shakespeare to CanLit fiends, from
admirers of the elegance of the bourrée and rigadoun to devourers of the
raw energy of modern dance."


TORONTO MASQUE THEATRE'S MASQUES FOR A REANEY DAY
Thursday to Saturday, January 13 to 15, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. and
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 2:30 p.m.
Pre-performance talks: 45 minutes before each show
Tarragon Theatre Extra Space (30 Bridgman Avenue, Toronto)
GENERAL ADMISSION: $25
To order tickets, call: 416-410-4561

Media Contact: Julia Armstrong at (416) 410-4561 or
torontomasquetheatre at sympatico.ca

Toronto Masque Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario
Arts Council,  Roger Moore, the Julie Jiggs Foundation, and the H.R.
Jackman Foundation.