From Press Release
Award-winning Comedy Duo The Templeton Philharmonic to Immerse Fringe Audiences in Surreal Decadence with An Evening in July
“This lady duo has the acting chops to carry their tyrannic ally rebellious writing to its full potential.”
– Taylor Irwin, Comedy Uncovered
“What makes The Templeton Philharmonic so powerful as a duo is that they excel at writing as much as creating concepts or performing physical comedy.”
– Mark Mann, Mooney on Theatre
Toronto sketch comedy darlings The Templeton Philharmonic are hitting the Toronto Fringe with their new, immersive work entitled An Evening in July. The original production will transform the garden and parish hall of St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (also known as the Music Gallery) into the strange and lavish home of eccentric sisters May (Briana Templeton) and June (Gwynne Phillips), as they prepare to host a lavish party.
Inspired by the cult documentary Grey Gardens and Helene de Rothschild’s 1972 Surrealist Ball, An Evening in July will give audience members a chance to attend their surreal fete as guests. Fringe-goers will have the opportunity to explore a world of decaying decadence, while watching the comedic and melancholy narrative of the two sisters build towards a devastating climax.
Previously, Phillips (George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead Live!) and Templeton (FIREraisers) have been best known for writing and performing sketch comedy as The Templeton Philharmonic. The pair’s signature style of dark, silly, and intellectual humour has earned them several awards including “Steam Whistle Producer’s Pick” at the 2014 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and “Best Comedy Duo” at the 2012 Los Angeles Comedy Festival. The troupe also has the distinction of being the first-ever female headliners at 24th Annual National College Comedy Festival, founded by producer David Miner (Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock).
In February, the pair presented a workshop performance of An Evening in July during their stint as the Emerging Company-in-Residence at the Canadian Stage Company. “The residency was a great chance for us to make something new that would blend high drama with our usual comedic work” says Phillips “we also wanted to make something experiential for the audience”. True to the Fringe spirit, the show aims to provide a unique experience for its viewers. Attendees will have the chance to play with a giant pink parachute, sport a party hat, and sip a cocktail from the bar while soaking up the play’s early 1970’s aesthetic, offbeat wit, and high camp sensibility.
AN EVENING IN JULY
Co-created by: Gwynne Phillips & Briana Templeton
Stage Management: Vanessa K. Purdy
St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (205 John Street, Toronto, ON)
Admission: $12.00
July 3 & 4th at8pm
July 6-8th at8pm
July 10th at8pm
July 11th & 12th at 5.30pm & 8.30pm
July 13th at 8pm
Please note: This event is for ages 19+