Wednesday July 23rd, 2008 | |
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| On Tuesday, May 27th, Canadian Playwright and theatre icon Sharon Pollock awoke to a fire in her Calgary home. She managed to get out of her house, but she lost many of her possessions (including three of her beloved cats) due to smoke and water damage. The damage to the house is extensive and Sharon has had to make alternate living arrangements for the next 8 to 10 months, while she sorts out insurance and repairs. While insurance will cover some restoration and rebuilding costs, Sharon is now facing considerable unexpected financial burden. To aid Sharon in her time of need, Alberta Playwrights’ Network and Downstage are hosting a benefit reading of her well-known and well-loved play BLOOD RELATIONS. All proceeds from this event will go directly to helping Sharon rebuild her home and replace her possessions. The reading will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd at 7:00pm in the lobby of the EPCOR CENTRE’s Jack Singer Concert Hall, located at 205 8th Ave SE. Admission will be by donation. The reading will feature Calgary actors Valerie Planche, Karen Johnson Diamond, Katherine Kerbes, Laura Parken, David LeReaney, Kevin Rothery and Stephen Hair. The play will be directed by Downstage Artistic Director Simon Mallett. BLOOD RELATIONS won the Governor General’s Award in 1981, the first time such an award was made for a piece of dramatic literature. On a hot, muggy Massachusetts day in 1892 an unknown person took an axe and gave a number of whacks to Andrew Borden and his wife Abigail. Andrew’s youngest daughter, Lizzie, was tried and subsequently acquitted of the double murders, but her acquittal did nothing to dispel the suspicion surrounding her. The murders kicked off one of the greatest “Who Done it’s” of all time. In Ms. Pollock’s play, Miss Lizzie entertains an actress friend who teases, tempts and goads Lizzie, attempting to get her to reveal her guilt or innocence. Eventually Lizzie suggests a game in which the actress takes on the role of Lizzie on the night of the double-murders, following vague information and suggestions provided by Lizzie herself. The actress must use the information to deduce for herself what really happened. As the actress gains control of the game, a murderer is revealed, but the questions remains “Did Lizzie Borden take an axe … ?” The EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts and Steam Whistle Brewery are also generously providing support for this event. For further information call Alberta Playwrights’ Network at 1-800-268-8564. To make a donation to Sharon, you can mail or drop off a cheque to her care of APN, at 2633 Hochwald Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7K2 or you can make a donation by credit card through Downstage Theatre, by calling 403-294-7459 | |
| Contact: | Alberta Playwrights Network Johanne Deleeuw Phone: 403-269-8564 Email: johanne@albertaplaywrights.com Web: http://www.albertaplaywrights.com |
| Details: | Location: Epcor Centre Jack Singer Lobby Price: Admission by donation |
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