May earned her job as prison photographer through sacrifice. Now as the regime’s enemies pass in front of her lens, she must choose what more she can sacrifice for someone she loves.
S-27 is a searing drama drawn from testimony of events in the Khmer Rouge’s S-21 prison, now the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Cambodia. Photographs of former prisoners now covering the museum’s walls inspired the characters and story of this historic fiction. While the ongoing trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders try to establish responsibility for the events of the 1970s, this play explores personal choice within a society.
S-27, by British playwright Sarah Grochala, won Amnesty International’s Protect The Human Playwriting Award in 2007. It has had critically acclaimed productions in the UK and Australia. Director Yolanda Ferrato saw the original production at the Finborough Theatre in London while working in the UK, and was inspired to produce it with her company, Intersection Theatre, for a Toronto audience.
Portraying steely photographer May is Melanie Hrymak, last seen on the fringe as Pierre Elliott Trudeau in the 2010 Toronto Fringe show Trudeautopia. The company also includes Jesse Bond and Meaghen Quinn who recently starred in the critically acclaimed Frances and Marybeth at the Factory Theatre.
Intersection Theatre will produce the Canadian premier of Sarah Grochala’s award winning play which Lyn Gardner of the Guardian called a “blistering drama”. S-27 opens on 4 July at The Annex Theatre and runs till 14 July.
Intersection Theatre
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents
S-27
written by Sarah Grochala
directed by Yolanda Ferrato
featuring: Melanie Hrymak, Jesse Bond, Meaghen Quinn, Raechele Lovell, Joshua Browne, and Ann Duong stage managed by Madryn McCabe
Opens July 4 runs to July 14
Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst Street Toronto, M5S 1Z5
In Person: July 4-15, 12pm – 8pm, Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s, 34 Lennox Ave.
Intersection Theatre and Playwrights Guild of Canada
A Unique Workshop with British Playwright Sarah Grochala
“Putting Female Characters at the Heart of Political Plays”
Aung San Suu Kyi stands at the head of revolution in Burma. Angela Merkel dictates what goes in Europe. Hilary Clinton is Obama’s right hand man. While women in real world have made their mark in government, politics on stage remains very much the business of men. Playwright Sarah Grochala invites you to explore the hows, whys and wherefores of putting women at the heart of political plays.
Catch this unique opportunity to work with the British Playwright on July 5 6-8pm at PGC’s offices at 215 Spadina suite 210. Contact robin@playwrightsguild.ca to reserve your place. $25 for PGC members/ $35 non-members.
