The Wrecking Ball - Calgary

An evening of political theatre and performance
ONE NIGHT ONLY: Monday, October 6, 2008
8:00pm @ EPCOR CENTRE’s Jack Singer Lobby
Admission PWYC at the door

Calgary, AB – In anticipation of the upcoming election and in response to Prime Minister Harper’s recent comments about cuts to arts funding, Calgary’s theatre community is coming together for a one-night only cabaret of politically-charged theatre that will be part of a nationwide happening.

The Wrecking Ball is an evening of short theatrical works written, directed and performed by members of the professional theatre community.

New works from Calgary writers Ken Cameron, Neil Fleming and Ellen Close will be featured along with a special contribution by two-time Governor General’s Award-winning playwright Judith Thompson. These short plays, which are being written this week, will be performed by actors for the first time, scripts in hand, at the event. In addition, The Wrecking Ball will feature readings from letters and other documents that illuminate the importance of arts and culture in the ongoing election campaign.

Calgary directors Stephen Hair, Simon Mallett and Stacie Harrison will collaborate on the pieces with many of Calgary’s most notable actors including Trevor Leigh, Doug McKeag, Valerie Planche, Valerie Ann Pearson, Ryan Luhning, Jamie Konchak, Tyrell Crews, Julie Mortensen and many others.

Wrecking Ball events are being scheduled on the same night across the country, creating a tide of political inspiration and action from coast to coast. Events will be held in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

INFORMATION: Admission is on a Pay-What-You-Can basis at the door only on the night of the event. Doors open at 7:30pm and the performance begins at 8:00pm in the Lobby of the Jack Singer Concert Hall, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts – 205 8th Avenue SE.

The Calgary edition of The Wrecking Ball is a benefit for the Department of Culture, an independent group of artists who are concerned with the current place of culture in the national political conversation, and is presented with the support of Downstage and the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts.

• 28 09 2008 - 20:29