Age of Arousal
by Linda Griffiths
Feb 14 – Mar 4
This highly praised play, set against a backdrop of the late 19th woman’s suffrage movement in London, was the final play of Linda Griffiths, one of Canada’s most lauded modern theatre voices. The setting is a school for secretaries run by Mary, with help from her lover Rhoda. As the school welcomes three new pupils – all sisters – political ideology begins to butt heads with human desire. The frequent presence of the striking doctor Barfoot adds fuel to the fire. We begin to see that each character’s vision of liberation is as unique as their individual personalities, and that common ground in a cause can be infuriatingly elusive. According to Griffiths this play was “wildly inspired” by George Gissing’s Victoria novel The Odd Women. In her own words, “Age of Arousal doesn’t take place in historical reality but in… a dream of Victorian England.”
“Who knew a play about proto-feminists in Victorian England could be so fascinating and funny?.. the balance between humour and drama was just right… a small gem — entertaining, satisfying and worth seeking out.” Time Colonist
“Extremely good… strong acting, deft directing… lots of laughs… ribald, edgy… explores the hearts and minds of women, no different than the women of today… emotionally fleshed out characters… honest sense of humanity… The ensemble cast is dynamite… Kudos to this ensemble… It’s smart, sexy fun.” CBC
“A passionate cry for equality and freedom … The cast is a gift… Age of Arousal is more than worth seeing.” Showbill
“Theatre Inconnu has done it again! A powerhouse cast of accomplished actors… Age of Arousal simmers with sexuality, ideas and humour.” Janis Lacouvee – I Have My Own Life to Live
Directed by Wendy Merk
Cast (alphabetically): Joy Lynn Andersen as Virginia, Ellen Law as Monica, Fran Patterson as Mary, Gloria Snider as Alice, Deirdre Tipping as Rhoda, and Corin Wrigley as Everard.
Preview: Feb 14-8pm
8pm shows: Feb 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, Mar 2, 3, 4
2pm show: Feb 18, 25, Mar 4
Reservations and Ticket Sales
Through TICKET ROCKET: ticketrocket.co or 250-590-6291 (a $2.50 surcharge will be added).
Directly through THEATRE INCONNU: Phone (250) 360-0234 or by Email.
(please do not reserve through Facebook)
Complimentary tickets, special needs seating, and subscribers: need to reserve directly through Theatre Inconnu.
Ticket prices: $14 regular, $10 seniors (60+) /students/unwaged
Feb 14 – Preview is $7
Tuesday Feb 21 is Pay-What-You-Wish admission
The show is about 2 and a half hours long, including one intermission.
Theatre Inconnu is located at 1923 Fernwood Road (across the street from the Belfry Theatre). For parking we suggest the side streets west of Fernwood Road as these do not have parking restriction signs.
We are wheelchair accessible.
Deirdre Tipping, Fran Patterson, Gloria Snider, Ellen Law