From Press Release
Unspoken Theatre is proud to present Death Meets Harlequin at Toronto Fringe KidsFest with special guest performances by Deflying Feets circus troupe (July 11-16). Death Meets Harlequin by award-winning Toronto playwright Nina Kaye is a family friendly comedy that integrates music, Commedia dell’Arte, symbolism, and archetype to explore themes of family, love, loss and transformation. Harlequin is a wide-eyed boy who loves to chase butterflies and play guitar, while his strict father the Doctor, despairs at his son’s lack of work ethic. A musical encounter with Death awakens the father and son to new perspectives. In English with some Spanish.
Tom Beattie stars as Harlequin, returning to Fringe Festival with Unspoken Theatre after the production of the award-winning play Mood Swings in 2016, alongside indie favourite Thomas Gough as the Doctor (Hamlet/ Hart House; Blood Relations/Alumnae; Donors/Safeword; Much Ado/Single Thread;Lear/Soupcan; Human Furniture/Storefront). Aleksandra Maslennikova (Anne Frank/Marion Abbott; Red Lacquered Box/Alumnae; The Tarot Show/Unspoken) completes the acting team in the role of Death. Nina Kaye (with playwriting awards from Hart House Players, Sterling Studio and directing credits withAlumnae, Unspoken, Bard in the Park) writes and directs.
Deflying Feets circus troupe performs a special pre-show July 11, 13, 15 and 16. Founded in 2009 as a solo hand-balancing act, the company has grown to include a multi-talented group of artists covering a wide range of circus specialties. Current members, Andralyn Zayn; Duane Steel; Glory Dearling; and Leigh Louiseperform Icarian games, Hand-balancing, Hand-to-Hand, Aerial Hoop, Silks, Spanish Web, Duo Trapeze and Teeterboard. http://deflyingfeets.com
Unspoken Theatre was founded in 2011 by sisters, Natalie & Nina Kaye. The company has produced & developed over a dozen plays in a variety of genres including award-winning new works, children’s theatre, 1920’s cabaret, & raw adult drama. The company focuses on new writing by local female playwrights featuring a classical or mythological element. www.unspokentheatrecompany.
Press and reviews: One of “our city’s best emergent playwrights”, characters “are caricatures, delightfully so”, and the show’s music is “striking” “comical” and “pretty” – Mooney on Theatre
Death Meets Harlequin has “A terrific interaction between father and son” “Mesmerizing singing” “Great acting” – audience comments on Facebook
Details
- Death Meets Harlequin plays at the George Ignatieff Theatre. (15 Devonshire Pl.)
- Tickets for Kidsfest shows are $5 for kids (age 12 and younger); adults pay $12.
- Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Scadding Court, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
- The George Ignatieff Theatre is wheelchair-accessible, and has wide aisles for easy mid-show exits.
- Don’t miss the Kidsfest club located on the lawn adjacent to the venue! Free activities for children (3-12) and caregivers run every day of the festival: see website for details.
- Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
Performances
- Wednesday July 5th, 04:15 pm
- Friday July 7th, 01:45 pm
- Sunday July 9th, 11:45 am
- Tuesday July 11th, 01:15 pm
- Thursday July 13th, 04:30 pm
- Saturday July 15th, 10:00 am
- Sunday July 16th, 11:45 am
Photo of Aleksandra Maslennikova by Aaliya Alibhai