I just photographed the publicity images for ‘Wreckage’ which opens this week at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre! Here is the press release –>
SORTING THROUGH THE WRECKAGE
Phoenix Theatre Tackles Film Noir Styled Mystery set in 1920s Vancouver
This March 18 through 27, patrons of the arts in Victoria will be exposed to a dark side of British Columbia history when the University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre presents Wreckage, a play by BC playwright Sally Stubbs. Set in the seedier side of Vancouver in the 1920s and 1940s, Wreckage follows a young woman’s journey to learn about her mother and the shocking truths she uncovers about her family as she probes into the past.
A Vancouver-based playwright and UVic alumna, Sally Stubbs has received numerous awards for her work. She has recently returned to UVic to complete her Masters in Fine Arts in the Department of Writing. First produced by New West Theatre in 2005 and published in 2009, this is the third production of Wreckage. In 2005 the play was also partially adapted into the award-winning short film, Mother Cutter.
“I’m delighted that Wreckage seems to have legs, and it’s especially exciting to have the work produced here at UVic, my old alma mater,” says Stubbs.
Director Fran Gebhard, who also teaches first year acting at the department, is also returning to the script of Wreckage after playing “Momma” in an early workshop production. She is intrigued by the psychology of Violet, the play’s main character.
“The play’s title also refers to Violet’s state of mind. She is haunted by the train wreck that took her mother’s life and can’t be at peace until she knows the truth,” says Gebhard.
Gebhard is working with a design team that including two Master of Fine Arts theatre students. Presented as film noir for the stage, the set and lighting design of Paphavee (Poe) Limkul and costumes by Cat Haywood engage the audience in the various eras of the play as Violet journeys into the past via the stories in her mother’s diary. The minimal set design by Limkul creates flexible zones for which to play out visually stunning and atmospheric vignettes. Adding to the film noir style is the period-inspired costumes designed by Cat Haywood that also capture some of Vancouver’s early Asian influences. Fourth-year student Katz Dawson is the Sound Designer and Jessica McLeod is the Stage Manger. The play features a cast of 13 students from the Department of Theatre, ranging from first year to fourth year.
Everyone is welcome to join us for our FREE Pre-Show Lecture, Friday March 19 at 7:00pm with director Fran Gebhard and the Wreckage design team who will discuss the collaborative nature between the script, the director and designers on the production.
The performance schedule for Wreckage at the Phoenix Theatre @ UVic is as follows:
Public Previews @ 8pm: March 16 & 17
Evenings @ 8pm: March 18 (Opening Night), 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 (NEW! Extra Monday night added)
Matinee @ 2pm: Saturday, February 27
Single Tickets: $12 Student / $17 Senior / $22 Adult & Weekends @ 8pm (Previews $6.00, available after 5pm)
Phoenix Box Office opens March 10 in person or by calling: (250) 721-8000.
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