Dora-nominated performer Kanika Ambrose’s powerhouse one-woman show “The Art of Traditional Head-tying” plays July 2-13 at the Toronto Fringe
Excerpted from Press Release
When Rosemarie Jon-Charles Hicks goes back to the island of Dominica to teach a series of head-tie workshops, her idealism and optimism are tested by her two zany nieces, a lethargic boyfriend, a persistent old flame, and a class of workshop attendees who really aren’t that interested.
Creator/performer Kanika Ambrose (Binti’s Journey, Theatre Direct; Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Humber River Shakespeare; Obeah Opera, bcurrent/Theatre Archipelago) andco-director Virgilia Griffith (Honesty, Suburban Beast/Koffler Centre; Salome’s Clothes, Body Theatre) bring to life the story of Rosemarie’s awakening to the realities of the island she left behind. Through a series of trials, an uncanny clan, and six weeks of very trying head-tie classes, Rosie is ultimately faced with this question… “If the values, people, and traditions of the place I call home have changed, where is my home now?”
Kanika Ambrose is a Toronto-based multi-disciplinary theatre artist. Her short plays (My Umm Hmm, Sleep Country, and Aprés) have been produced in Toronto festivals including Paprika Festival, rock.paper.sistahz!, and New Voices. She is a Dora Mavor Moore nominee for her role in Binti’s Journey, and part of the Dora nominated Outstanding Production, Obeah Opera. Kanika is the founder of Mabouya Dance Company, where she teaches Dominican Bélé dancing.
THE ART OF TRADITIONAL HEAD-TYING had its World Premiere as part of Crow’s Theatre’sEast End Performance Crawl in May 2014 and opened to rave reviews.
Performance Dates
Wed, July 2 @ 8:45pm
Sat, July 5 @ 2:15pm
Mon, July 7 @ 3:00pm
Wed, July 9 @ 7:45pm
Fri, July 11 @ 2:15pm
Sat, July 12 @ 12:00pm
Sun, July 13 @ 9:00pm
Venue
St. Vladimir’s Theatre, 620 Spadina Ave. (Near Spadina and Harbord.)
Ticketing
Tickets are $10 (cash-only) at the door, $12 in advance. Advance tickets may be purchased online (visa/amex), or from the Fringe Club box office, located in Honest Ed’s Alley, during the festival. (cash/visa/amex) Money-saving passes are also available; see website for details.
Be advised that there is absolutely no latecomer seating at Fringe shows.