WINNIPEG October 3, 2007 – PTE celebrates its commitment to high quality, contemporary, Canadian theatre with Chimera, a taut political drama by Winnipeg favourite, Wendy Lill. Political staff, politicians from both sides of the House, a scientist at the end of her career and a journalist with his own agenda are under the microscope in this sharp and timely investigation of the limits of science and biotechnology and what it means to be human in the 21st Century. Chimera runs October 17 to November 4.
“When I was selecting plays for our season, Wendy’s was a natural choice. Her plays like The Fighting Days and All Fall Down were favourites of our patrons. But aside from returning to one of Canada’s most successful playwrights, Chimera presents a deceptively straightforward story that turns not to be quite that simple. Stem cell researchers, politicians and journalists … you’d think the good and bad guys are all obvious. In Wendy’s hands she’s shifted everything so that your assumptions in the first act are likely to change in the second. Of course Wendy brings her special view on the politics of the issue from her time as an elected MP so you know that while she has taken dramatic license the political tug-of-war she writes about is probably more accurate than we’d like to believe,” says Artistic Director, Robert Metcalfe.
The season is not only the 35th season of PTE, but also features a season of large casts – one of the largest in recent memory. This cast features six exceptional actors. Marina Stephenson Kerr (apple last season) is the embattled Minister of Justice, Clare McGuire, who is on her way up but is seen as a tempting target by the opposition. Jon Ted Wynne plays, George Fanning, a Conservative MP from rural Alberta who sees the opportunity to bring down the minister when he discovers stem cell research involving monkeys is underway within the shadow of Parliament Hill. The scientist at the centre of the research which may be putting human cells into monkeys is Nell Harrier who is played by Doreen Brownstone. Brownstone turned 85 during the first week of rehearsal. Christopher Sigurdson (MacGregor’s Hard Ice Cream and Gas last season) is Roy Ruggles the reporter and narrator of the evening. The minister’s political aide, Richard Doyle is played by Skye Brandon (MacGregor’s Hard Ice Cream and Gas last season) and his character must guide the Minister through the political firestorm that is unleashed. Brian Richardson plays Eddie Lloyd, a government lobbyist, whose motives may be pushed by ego and greed – and he may not be the only one.
Robert Metcalfe (apple, MacGregor’s Hard Ice Cream and Gas last season) directs the season’s first play. Kim Neilsen (Strawberries in January) returns to bring the play’s setting in Ottawa vividly to life. Bill Williams (Strawberries in January) brings his exceptional lighting design talents to the production. Original music will be composed for Chimera by Greg Lowe who has been a frequent contributor to PTE productions. The stage management team is headed by Leslie Sidley and her Assistant Stage Manager is Candace Maxwell.
Playwright Wendy Lill has been nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Drama and brings her experience as a former CBC journalist, NDP Member of Parliament and leading Canadian playwright to Chimera.
New this year, Prairie Theatre Exchange is selling non-subscription tickets online! Patrons visit PTE’s own website (www.pte.mb.ca) and can select their seats for any show they want to attend. There are no additional fees for ordering online either!
ATTENTION:
The media/photo shoot for CHIMERA is scheduled for
Wednesday, October 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Colour photos of the show are available for print publications upon request . All media please call 925-5257 to confirm your attendance.
CHIMERA, by Wendy Lill
Performance schedule:
Preview:
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Opening:
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Runs:
Until Sunday, November 4 2007
Times:
-8 pm Wednesday through Saturday
-7 pm Tuesdays
-7 pm Sunday, October 28, 2007
-Matinees: Sundays at 2pm, plus
Saturday, October 20 and November 3 at 3pm
-No show Mondays
Prices:
-Adults $34.88 includes all taxes and fees
-Students and Seniors $25.44 includes all taxes and fees
-Preview Wednesday October 17 – rush seating only
$21.20 includes all taxes and fees
$15.27 curtain ticket:
1/2 hour prior to each performance for students with valid ID
and subject to availability
Extra:
Every Tuesday performance features Petro-Canada Talk Back Tuesdays
where artists involved in the play answer questions from the audience
following the performance.
Tickets on sale at the PTE box office, 3rd Floor Portage Place,
942-5483 or 24/7 online at www.pte.mb.ca.
Production Sponsor: Canwest Media
Media Presenter: Global Winnipeg
Supported by:
Canada Council for the Arts,
The Manitoba Arts Council,
The Winnipeg Arts Council,
The Winnipeg Foundation and
The Prairie Theatre Exchange Foundation Trust
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For more information contact : Mr. Carman Johnston, Marketing and Development Manager at: Phone: 925-5257; Fax: 942-1774;
e-mail: publicity@pte.mb.ca
