Kevin Forster plays Hal in our upcoming production of “Loot”, running March 7-18, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre, Toronto.
Kevin Forster plays Hal in our upcoming production of Loot; this is Kevin’s first production with Bygone Theatre.
Bio: Kevin is a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School and is thrilled to be working with such an amazing team on this wacky and wonderful show!
Selected Theatre: Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam county Spelling Bee and Marshall/Al in Seven Stories (Hart House Theatre), Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank (FSWC), Joe in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Bjorn in Always Abba, and Flotsam in The Little Mermaid (The Lower Ossington Theatre), Jay in New Order (NovelSidwalk), Goneril in Cinderella, and Dopey in Balm In Gilead (Ryerson Theatre School), Clown in Bust-ed (Toronto Festival of Clowns).
Television/Film: Well Spent, Fear Thy Neighbor, God Hates A Coward, A Midsummer Nights Dream
What made you want to be a part of Loot?
Loot is a really funny script with so much potential when it is put on stage. I am a big fan of physical comedy, and this script is filled with opportunity to explore that.
How do you feel about your character? Do you relate to them at all? Share any of the same traits?
I really enjoy playing Hal. It is an interesting balance finding the humor in the scenario while keeping the truth and integrity of who he is. Also, we both love to frequent brothels, so that helps.
What’s been your favourite part of the rehearsal process so far?
My favourite part of rehearsal is playing with the other actors. Every time we run through a scene, new things are discovered. Everyone is willing to allow things to evolve and explore. It may not be right, but we won’t know until we go there.
What’s your favourite thing to have come out of the 1960s?
Non dairy creamer
Are you working on any other projects at the moment/ What might we have seen you in recently?
Recently was in a production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” I am also in a folk rock band called “People Walking By” We play all the time so check us out! @people.walking.by
Why should people come out and see the show?
It’s a show with British accents, money, and death. What could be better? Certainly beats sitting at home swiping through dating profiles. Unless those profiles include British accents, money, and death. Then you’ve got a hard decision to make.
Anything else you want us to know?
The dot on top of the letter ‘i’ and ‘j’ is known as a tittle.
Jonah McGrath plays police inspector Meadows in Bygone Theatre’s upcoming production of the Joe Orton farce, Loot; this is Jonah’s first production with Bygone Theatre.
Bio: Jonah McGrath is a 23 year old performer from Toronto. He graduated from the Dramatic Arts program at Brock University in 2017 with a concentration in performance. Jonah has acted in a multitude of theatrical productions over the past seven years including: Play by Samuel Beckett, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny by Bertolt Brecht, The Man in the Case by Anton Chekov and many more. Jonah is ecstatic to be a part of Bygone Theatre’s Loot ensemble and for the personal artistic growth and sheer hilarity that are bound to result from such a fabulous opportunity.
What made you want to be a part of Loot?
I was instantly drawn the hilarity of the plot of Loot. For nearly as long as I’ve been an actor I have loved good comedies and more specifically good english farces. It’s also worth noting that have just recently moved to Toronto and I was keen for the opportunity to connect with/work with fellow theatre artists from the city.
How do you feel about your character? Do you relate to them at all? Share any of the same traits?
Meadows is an unquestioningly obedient sidekick to Truscott. As a result of his steadfast loyalty to the British police force he remains quite aloof throughout the entirety of the play. I can certainly identify with this to some degree. There have most definitely been times in my life when my unquestioning faith in social constructs have lead me into a state of aloofness.
What’s been your favourite part of the rehearsal process so far?
Well, I think that the cast that’s been assembled for this production is both infinitely talented and funny. Just being given the opportunity to observe their exploration of the script and their respective characters has been immensely funny and informative as a growing artist.
Are you working on any other projects at the moment/ What might we have seen you in recently?
At the moment, I’m also working with a group of past peers and professors from Brock University on a devised theatre piece entitled We Who Know Nothing About Hiawatha. This production will explore the extreme societal disconnect between the indigenous population and the rest of Canadian society. This show will be staged at the In The Soil Arts Festival in downtown St Catharines over the course of late April.
Why should people come out and see the show?
Because it’s hilarious! I also believe that this piece is remarkably relevant to a modern Canadian audience. Joe Orton provides a wealth of commentary on those in positions of authority and social attitudes towards death which I think will most definitely resonate with Toronto show goers. If you’re a fan of either absurdist humour or scathing British commentary then this is the show for you!
Anything else you want us to know?
Come and check out We Who Know Nothing About Hiawatha as well as a variety of other theatrical productions and artistic exhibits at the In The Soil Arts Festival in St Catharines. The festival will run from April 27th to the 29th.
See Jonah onstage March 8-17, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre. Tickets on sale now.
Sarah Thorpe plays Nurse Fay in Bygone Theatre’s “Loot”. March 8-17, 2018 at Alumnae Theatre.
Sarah Thorpe plays decent Catholic Fay McMahon in the upcoming production of Loot; this is Sarah’s first production with Bygone Theatre.
Bio: Theatre artist and creative core member of Soup Can Theatre. BAH Theatre from York University. Created and performed in the award-winning one-woman show Heretic, a modern retelling of the story of Joan of Arc, in 2015. Acting credits: Gut Girls (Alumnae), Titus Andronicus (Seven Siblings), Behold, the Barfly! (Spoon Vs. Hammer/TO Fringe 2016/TO SketchFest 2017), The Comedy of Errors (Confidential Shakespeare Project), The Loyalists (Single Thread), Canadian premiere of Bare (Waters Edge), The Nightwood (Luminato), inaugural production of Tomson Highway’s Pimooteewin/The Journey (Soundstreams). Soup Can credits: directing Love is a Poverty You Can Sell 1 & 2 (TO Fringe 2010 & 2013, Best of Fringe 2010, Next Stage 2012), No Exit, Marat/Sade; producing Circle Jerk, A Hand of Bridge/No Exit double bill, Antigone (TO Fringe 2012). Producing elsewhere: Let’s Go! (DMT), Gut Girls, Behold, the Barfly!. Recent recipient of two OAC grants: mentorship in directing with Alan Dilworth through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program, and a recommender grant through Volcano Theatre to create a play about Maud Wagner, the first known female tattoo artist in the US in the early 1900s. Facebook.com/SarahThorpeArtist • SoupCanTheatre.com
What made you want to be a part of Loot?
I love the satire in Loot. Nothing is sacred. It’s like a Monty Python episode in that way – everything is on the table to poke fun at.
How do you feel about your character? Do you relate to them at all? Share any of the same traits?
Without giving too much away, Faye is a master manipulator but she finds herself in a situation where those skills may not be enough to help her get what she wants. We’ve all been in situations where we find ourselves in over our heads and scramble to try to get the situation back in our control.
What’s been your favourite part of the rehearsal process so far?
It’s just a really fun room to be in. It’s a farce, so I think it’s important that the atmosphere we work in is light and absurd, in a constructive way of course.
What’s your favourite thing to have come out of the 1960s?
Lots of music: David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, Marianne Faithfull, I could go on….
Are you working on any other projects at the moment/ What might we have seen you in recently?
I recently received a recommender grant from the Ontario Arts Council (recommended via Volcano Theatre) to create a piece about Maud Wagner: a circus artist who became the first known female tattoo artist in the US in the early 1900s. I’ll be creating this piece with two friends and colleagues, one a circus artist and one a tattoo artist. Once Loot‘s run is over, I’ll be jumping in to that!
Why should people come out and see the show?
Need a break from reality and a couple of hours to just laugh and enjoy some ridiculous hi-jinks? Get your butts to bygonetheatre.com to get your tickets!
Learn more about our Relaxed Performance of “Loot”.
As an effort to improve our inclusivity and accessibility, this season will mark our first Relaxed Performance. We have partnered with the Loot Collective to help support their production of Joe Orton’s Loot, which runs from March 8-17, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St. in Toronto. In order to provide an opportunity for all to enjoy the show, we as a group have decided to make the Tuesday March 13th, 8:00pm performance a Relaxed one.
Press release for the Loot Collective’s production of Joe Orton’s “Loot”, supported by Bygone Theatre. Running Mar. 8-17, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre, Toronto.
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE:
MONDAY JANUARY 8, 2018
The Loot Collective Presents Joe Orton’s 1960s Farce
LOOT
TORONTO, ON (Monday January 8, 2018) – Bygone Theatre has partnered with the Loot Collective to support their production of Loot, running March 8-17th, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St., Toronto. This is a Canadian Actor’s Equity Association production under the Artist’s Collective Policy. Directed by Emily Dix.
SYNOPSIS
England, 1965; Only hours before her intended burial, the late Mrs. McLeavy is removed from her coffin by her son, Hal (Kevin Forster), and his best pal, Dennis (Kenton Blythe), who have together just robbed a bank and need the coffin to stash the loot. The boys try to hide the corpse from the recently widowed McLeavy (Patrick Young) and his deceased wife’s nurse, Fay (Sarah Thorpe), but with Inspector Truscott (Scott McCulloch) hot on their heels, their plan quickly begins to unravel. Absurdity abounds in this dark, 1965 farce that examines attitudes surrounding death, police integrity, and the Catholic church.
ABOUT THE CAST
Patrick Young is Mr.McLeavy in “Loot”.
Patrick Young (Mr.McLeavy) has had an extensive career on and off stage, and may be best known in Toronto for his work at Sheridan College, where he founded the joint actor training program with the University of Toronto Mississauga. He is the author of 4 award-winning biographical plays, and has an extensive directing resume. Past acting credits in Toronto include Flicks, The Relapse and the original production of Automatic Pilot.
Scott McCulloch is Inspector Truscott in “Loot”.
Scott McCulloch (Truscott) has had a career spanning over 30 years, 100 plays and nearly 50 films. Recent credits include the immersive production Hogtown at Campbell House, the Wolf Manor Theatre production of Three Sisters, and the Thought For Food production of The Trial of Judith K for which he received a Broadway World Toronto nomination of Best Performance by a Male in a Featured Role.
Kenton Blythe is Dennis in “Loot”.
Kenton Blythe (Dennis), was most recently seen in the Toronto Fringe hit, Grey. Other stage credits include the Starvox Entertainment production of Evil Dead: The Musical, and a stint at the Shaw Festival, where he was seen in Juno and the Paycock and Cabaret. You may also remember Kenton from Bygone Theatre’s 2013 production of Dial M For Murder.
Sarah Thorpe is Fay in “Loot”.
Sarah Thorpe (Fay) is a multi-talented theatre artist and a core creative member of Soup Can Theatre. She created and performed in the award-winning one-woman show Heretic, a modern retelling of Joan of Arc, in 2015, and has more recently been seen in Toronto Fringe Hit, Behold! The Barfly! and Gut Girls at Alumnae Theatre.
Kevin Forster as Hal in “Loot”.
Kevin Forster (Hal) is a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School and has been featured in several productions at the Lower Ossington Theatre, including The Buddy Holly Story, Always ABBA and The Little Mermaid. He has also performed at Hart House Theatre and in the Toronto Festival of Clowns.
Jonah McGrath is Meadows in “Loot”.
Jonah McGrath (Meadows) is a recent graduate of the Brock University Dramatic Arts program. Recent credits include Play by Samuel Beckett, The Rise and Fall of the Cityof Mahagonny and Chekov’s The Man in the Case.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Director/ Producer, Emily Dix.
Emily Dix is a founding member and the Artistic Executive Director of Bygone Theatre. As a producer, she has worked with Tarragon Theatre and Theatre 20, and has produced all of Bygone Theatre’s productions to date. She got her start directing at the University of Toronto, working on shows such as the Hart House Theatre production of The Night of The Iguana as an assistant director, and directing a number of shows for the campus colleges. Bygone Theatre directing credits include; His Girl Friday; Vaudeville Revue; Wait Until Dark; Rope; Dial M For Murder and Doubt: A Parable. In addition to directing, Emily does the costume design for all of Bygone Theatre’s productions.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Thursday March 8 – Saturday March 10, 8:00pm
Tuesday March 13 – Saturday March 17, 8:00pm
Saturday March 10, Sunday March 11, Saturday March 17, 2:00pm matinee
TORONTO, ON (Tuesday September 26, 2017) – Now entering their sixth season, Toronto based, indie nonprofit, Bygone Theatre announces their season lineup, which includes a classic 1965 British farce, a unique night of vintage Vaudeville, and the World Premiere of a new Canadian play.
LOOT by Joe Orton Directed by Emily Dix
England, 1965; Only hours before her intended burial, the late Mrs. Leavy is removed from her coffin by her son, Hal, and his best pal, Dennis, who have together just robbed a bank and need the coffin to stash the loot. Absurdity abounds in the dark, 1965 farce that examines attitudes surrounding death, police integrity, and the Catholic church.
This timely classic will run from March 8-17th (11 performances) at the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St., Toronto. Casting TBA late 2017.
JOE by Rachel Ganz
England, 1967; Joe and Kenneth live together. Following their experience in jail for a crime they believe was just an excuse to criminalize their homosexuality, Joe and Kenneth begin planning for their future. Kenneth believes they should break up to avoid further persecution but Joe believes they should die together as a desperate statement against policy. As Kenneth attempts to leave, Joe attempts to die. The domestic dispute exemplifies the ways in which public policy can affect private living and the small flat the men share fills with tension until Kenneth kills Joe with a hammer. Inspired by the real-life murder of playwright, Joe Orton.
ABOUT RACHEL GANZ: Rachel Ganz is a Toronto-based playwright. She is a recent playwriting graduate from The National Theatre School as well as the Artistic Director of Newborn Theatre and the Co-Creator of The Odds and Ends Festival. Works include: Blip/I Didn’t Need To Know You (Newborn Theatre, 2017), Plucked (Newborn Theatre, 2016), Vacuum (The National Theatre School, 2016), The Dumb War (Newborn Theatre, 2015), Teach Me (Newborn Theatre, 2014), Rhyme Reason or Otherwise (Hart House Players, 2014), Plasterface (Newborn Theatre, 2014), The Long Run (Sunnybrook Hospital/Newborn Theatre, 2014).
Staged Reading – April 8, 2018, the Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth Ave., Toronto
World Premiere – June 21-23, 2018 (limited engagement, 5 performances), the Alumnae Theatre Studio, 70 Berkeley St., Toronto
VAUDEVILLE REVUE – in partnership with the Revue Cinema
A one-night-only performance of vintage Vaudeville acts combined with classic silent films. Exact date TBA.
Bio: I’m originally from the U.S. and have been in Canada for almost 5 years. I’ve gone away and come back to acting a few times in my life, including studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC and performing in theatre/film projects there before taking a 10-year break to have a “real” job, etc., including 8 years as a Digital Producer (among other things) at Nickelodeon/MTV. After being laid off 2.5 years ago for my second time since moving to TO and my fourth time overall, I decided to return once again to my first love of acting and never leave again. Since then, performances have included August: Osage County (Alumnae), Four Hours (Alumnae New Ideas Festival), Sorry, Wrong Number/The Hitchhiker (Plain Stage), and Alone Together (Scarborough Players). Starting Thursday after HGF closes, I will also be part of David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Proof at the Red Sandcastle Theatre. In addition to theatre/film/tv projects, I’m also a puppeteer with The Concerned Kids charity (so if you’ve got kids, book us to perform at their school!). More at chrispeterson.me and facebook/chrispetersonactor.
How did you hear about Bygone Theatre and this production of His Girl Friday?
Much of the last couple of years has been spent immersing myself in the TO performing scene and I am always learning about new (to me) theatre companies, etc. Last year I learned about Bygone from the audition listing for their production of Wait Until Dark, but I was involved with the amazing August: Osage County at Alumnae so wasn’t able to submit. This time I happily was.
What made you want to be involved?/ what do you love about the story?
I hadn’t seen the original film, but I’m a definite fan of films from that era and the fast-paced action and humour. I also love the sound and rhythms of the dialogue and transatlantic accent. Even the characters who seem maybe not-so-great in this story are completely lovable, plus any reason to think about Cary Grant is a good reason.
What’s your favourite old movie?
There are still plenty I need to see, but off the top of my head – Singing in the Rain, Funny Face, and Casablanca.
Have you been in a show like this before? What else might people have seen you in recently?
Last May I was in a double bill of The Hitchhiker and Sorry, Wrong Number with Plain Stage Theatre, both originally part of Orson Welles’ radio program. Most recently, I was part of Unit 102’s Operation 24 this past December – 6 plays cast, written, directed, learned, and performed in 24 hours – which was crazy and amazing.s
Why should people come and see the show?
It’s funny and maybe even more important lots of fun, it’s got a great (and huge) cast and production team, and these older stories/films are called classics for a reason. Bring your parents/grandparents.
Anything else you want us to know?
Come see the show, and then go see Proof (it won a Pulitzer for a reason, and I get the feels at every rehearsal) either of the following two weekends, and then please keep on supporting local theatre and comedy and dance and art! Also, keep an eye/ear out for the new serial podcast Frequency which should be launching this month.
See Chris onstage March 2-5, and help support him and the show by making a donation through FWYC.
Early 20th century Americans (and Canadians) had a taste for the “exotic”, and so bellydancing was a popular act of the Vaudeville stage. While some performers were true bellydancers, hailing from the middle East and other foreign regions, many were simply flappers who realized the audience’s interest in revealing costumes and (at the time) scandalous dance moves. One of the most famous of the era was Margaretha Zelle, better known by her stage name, Mata Hari; she’s one to look up if you like scandal, mystery and intrigue.
Mata Hari
As for our Vaudeville Revue, we are lucky to have the very talented, Anuka.
Anuka is a Toronto-based bellydancer. She performs as a soloist and is also the choreographer for her troupe Mirage, creating original dances every year for a variety of shows which have included the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, Ad Astra, Fan Expo, Steam on Queen, and her own productions (Moonlight Mirage in 2014, Twilight Mirage in 2011, Midnight Mirage in 2010 , and Winter Mirage in 2009).
Tonight Anuka will perform Vintage Oriental Style bellydance. North America developed a unique style of bellydance which mixed influences from many different Middle Eastern countries and the dancers’ own creativity. This style, known as Vintage Oriental Stye or American Cabaret, includes movements drawn from variety of regional dances. The music was mix of popular and traditional melodies from different cultures, including Middle Eastern, Persian, Turkish, and Armenian songs. Some distinctive elements of a Vintage Oriental show are veil dances, floorwork, sword dances, and finger cymbals.
Hey you! Ya, you! Have you ever dreamed of playing the circuit? Making it big on stage? Think you got what it takes to be a star of Vaudeville? Well then you’re in luck – forget those critics, Vaudeville ain’t dead! We’re breathing new life into it this June with Bygone Theatre’s…
VAUDEVILLE REVUE Alumnae Theatre Mainstage June 22-24, 2016
We are currently accepting proposals for acts and are looking for the following;
Singers
Dancers (tap, ragtime), solo or group
Comedians (think more sketches than stand-up)
Acrobats/gymnasts
Magicians
Musicians
Jugglers
Clowns
Unique acts
Acts should be 3-8 minutes long and family friendly (keep it PG). We are looking for period appropriate, which for Vaudeville means 1890s-1930s, so keep that in mind when it comes to material, style and music – don’t worry about costumes, we’ll take care of those. Please note, only scripts and songs written before 1935 will be accepted.
At the moment we are looking for people with specific acts in mind; they don’t need to be completely polished, but we want to know what your source material is and your general concept. There may be an open casting call at a later date for those who want to be involved, but that will depend on this round of submissions.
How to apply:
Email director Emily Dix at emily@bygonetheatre.com with the following;
A copy of your source material (ie. a link to or pdf of the script, sheet music etc.)
A description of your proposed act that highlights, a. the number of performers, b. any specific materials required (props, set, costumes etc.), c. the approximate length, and, d. a breakdown of what the performance will include (if it’s something like a dance that need explanation, for sketches the script will suffice).
Any support materials you may have (video footage of a previous performance, or a self-tape is ideal)
What Else You Need To Know:
This is likely to remain a non-union production, but at this stage Equity members are welcome to apply, as we are still working on funding
This will be a profit-share production
All performers will receive a high-quality, professionally filmed copy of their performance
Rehearsals will be in June 2016, with a load-in/dress on June 21, and evening performances June 22-24; matinees TBD
Deadline for this first round of submissions is Friday February 12, 2016, at 5:00pm.
Spread the word and spread the love – Vaudeville is back!
Another lovely company that has donated a pair of tickets to our upcoming Retro Radio Hour – Suspense! is Alumnae Theatre. Their Fireworks Festival is running this November; check out the details here:
This year’s festival features two new plays and [new this year] a playwrights’ intensive.
BURYING TONI
by Catherine Frid
directed by Ginette Mohr
YOU HAVE TO EARN IT
by Ramona Baillie and Maria Popoff
directed by Jennifer Radford
FIREWORKS PLAYWRIGHTS’ INTENSIVE
with Maja Ardal
hosted by Joan Burrows
November 12-29, Wed-Sat @ 8pm, Sat & Sun @ 2pm Ticket Prices – $15.00 – Sunday Matinees ‘PWYC’ – Festival Price $25.00
Visits www.alumnaetheatre.com/fireworks.html for more information
Bygone Theatre 