Stage Managed by Karen Stack
Costumes by Patricia Reilly
Starring:
James McDougall——–Brian
Melissa Blank——–Shelia
Similkameen O’Rourke——–Joe
Lorene Cammiade——–Pam
Graham McDonald——–Freddie
Geli Bartlett——–Grace
Previews: Nov 29, Dec 1 @ 8pm | Opening: Dec 2 @ 8pm
Dec 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 @ 8pm
Matinees Dec 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 @ 2pm
Pay-what-you-can Thursday, Dec 8th
Peter Nichols’ Tony Award Winning play has done a masterful job of treading a fine line between the absurd and the universally familiar as he tells the tale of a family coping with life that has been defined by their daughter’s severe disability. This drama/comedy is a far cry from the didacticism usually associated with “issue” plays. It is an intensely alive and vibrant interaction of people who care deeply, but who have not yet absorbed their own circumstances.
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING…
“Theatre Inconnu is breaking boundaries and teaching audiences how to laugh in the face of adversity in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. …The cast is outstanding in its ability to breathe honesty and candour into the characters while maintaining the humanity that makes each one real.” —Monday Magazine (full review here)
“Veteran director Clayton Jevne has a firm hand on this tight production, getting the best performance I’ve ever seen from local stalwart Blank—who is deservedly the centre around which this production revolves; her Sheila is tightly wound yet oh-so-chipper, and it’s easy to believe she’s walking a tightrope through life, caring for everyone at the expense of her own soul. As husband Brian, McDougall effectively captures the foxhole humour of this father-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown, who seems to stretch like Silly Putty until he finally snaps. …Jevne always manages to pull remarkable work from his various casts, deftly making us forget these are people playing parts; instead, we actually care about the lives unraveling before us over the span of these two short hours. ….“Everyone’s damaged in some way,” says Sheila at one point. “There’s only so much we can do.” It’s true, and the most brilliant twist of Joe Egg is that the child isn’t the one in the worst shape here. Kudos to Jevne and his cast for crafting a remount well worth watching…” —Culture Vulture Victoria (full review here)
“Theatre Inconnu continues its tradition of staging uncompromising theatre. It’s a challenging play — the role of Brian, in particular, is difficult to get right. On Thursday night, McDougall, a promising young actor, was able to capture this school-teacher’s desperate air of glib cheeriness. …Blank successfully portrays Sheila’s good-heartedness. Her character is torn between exasperation over Brian’s babyishness and attention-seeking and her fierce maternal instincts. The pull between her genuine affection for both daughter and husband is heart-wrenching, as intended. …No one was more convincing than Geli Bartlett, who plays Brian’s intrusive English mum. It’s a small role, but Bartlett expertly portrayed the character’s smothering motherliness with a dash of thinly veiled nastiness thrown in.” —Times Colonist (full review here)
TICKETS
Get your tickets online, over the phone, or in person:
www.ticketrocket.org / 250-590-6291
$14 Regular / $10 Students, Seniors, and the unwaged (plus a $2 Ticket Rocket surcharge)
You can pick up your tickets at Theatre Inconnu’s box office prior to the show. Ticket Rocket will make note of any special seating needs. Tickets must be picked up five minutes prior to show time.
Complimentary Tickets and Punch Cards, and Reservations:
If you have been offered complimentary admission, have an Inconnu punchcard or just wish to make a reservation, you need to call Theatre Inconnu directly at 250-360-0234, or email us at mail@theatreinconnu.com
Tickets at the Door:
Tickets not sold by reservation will be available at Theatre Inconnu (1923 Fernwood Road). Seating is general, and we suggest that you arrive at least a half hour before showtime (box office opens one hour before showtime).