Will you be a booster for Wayne & Shuster?
Will you be a booster for Wayne & Shuster? Bygone is looking for people who want to share their fond memories of the men or their work. If you have something you’d like to share, email us at info@bygonetheatre.com. We’ll be doing a series of short interviews to be posted on our social media channels, and possibly our future documentary. Please share the word!
The creators of the BroadwayWorld.com ‘Best Cabaret, Toronto, 2018’
are back at the LOT!
TORONTO, ON (Friday April 26, 2019): Bygone Theatre has once again teamed up with the talented fellas behind past Finn & Friends productions such as A Night With Frank & Judy, A Rat-Packed Christmas and The Cab(aret) Before Christmas – Godfrey & Finns. The trio consists of comedians James Godfrey (the Disney Channel, Dangerously Safe Comedy) and Kevin Finn (Colin Mochrie Improv Award winner) and classic crooner Thomas Finn (Hairspray, SPAMalot, Anything Goes).
“My sides still hurt from laughing! What a great show don’t miss these
three outstanding performers!”
– Julie Morin, Theatre Professor
Come join the crooning comedic trio fresh off their Ontario-wide Christmas tour (A Rat-Packed Christmas Comedy Hour) and see them at their madcap and musical best! An evening of sketches, impressions and songs from the Golden Age of Music. Featuring the vocal stylings of Julia Carrer. On for one night only, Thursday May 16, 7:30pm – tickets on sale now!
“I sat in the sold-out Simcoe Street Theatre in Collingwood and laughed until my face hurt! I was in awe of the talent these three human beings possess!”
– Sara Benjamin
Crooning Comics
Created by Thomas Finn
RECOMMENDED for ages 12+ | ADVISORY: adult subject matter.
SHOW DATES: Thursday May 16, 7:30pm
LOCATION: The Lower Ossington Theatre | 100 Ossington Ave., Toronto, ON
BOX OFFICE: ticketwise.com| ADMISSION: $25
Visit http://www.bygonetheatre.com | Twitter & Instagram @BygoneTheatre @GodfreyAndFinns
It’s almost that time again! The Toronto Fringe is running this summer from July 4-15th and we can’t wait to see some of our favourite actors up onstage. Here’s our must-see list (in no particular order) for the 2018 Toronto Fringe. Note: blurbs come from the productions themselves.
Written by Eric Petersen, directed by Gillian Armstrong
The students of Mr. Miller’s class are troubled by the thought of their upcoming exams … while others are more worried their minds will soon be hooked up into a new group-mind by aliens.
The students debate the pros and cons of gaining instantaneous knowledge by suddenly having the ability to access anyone’s mind. Does privacy really matter? How do we maintain our identity? Will we still have to take exams?
See friend of Bygone Elizabeth Rose Morriss (Rope, His Girl Friday, Vaudeville Revue and many Retro Radio Hours) in this quirky site-specific play the Matty Eckler Recreation Centre. Get your tickets here.
Written by Michael Ross Albert
directed by David Lafontaine
A young businesswoman returns to her AirBnB to find that her host has been waiting up for her. What started as a cordial relationship between strangers begins to steadily escalate into a tense and unnerving battle for control.
In this new thriller by Dora-nominated playwright Michael Ross Albert, two women face off against each other in a struggle for meaning, connection, and power.
See friend of Bygone Cass Van Wyck (Hildy in His Girl Friday) in this startling new thriller at the Factory Theatre. Tickets available here.
Written & directed by Theresa Ramirez
2018: A Sex Odyssey re-imagines life in space, Big Brother style, as we careen towards a post-climate change future – focussing on sex, relationships and the interpersonal dramas of six twenty-somethings living together on a spaceship. It begins three months into a two year journey to populate the planet Mars, due to the near total destruction of planet Earth as a direct result of human caused climate change and the wars that ensued. Still, no one really cares about climate change.
Check out friend of Bygone Alex Clay (McCue in His Girl Friday) in this re-imagined comedy/sci-fi playing at St.Vladimir’s Institute – tickets available here.
Written by Allan Turner and Christopher L. Hedrick
Directed by Nigel Downer
Kev ‘n Cal are two mystery solving brothers, boy adventurers on the trail of trouble across dimensions ending up on the wrong side of reality. Danger! Foul play! Puberty! Whatever the risks, Kev ‘n Cal can always count on each other. Or can they?
See friend of Bygone Allan Turner (who performed as his alter-ego, Mullet in our Vaudeville Revue) in what’s sure to be a comedy riot. Tickets available here.
Written by Rachel Ganz
Directed by Tanua Rintoul
Set in a garbage world. Performed in a garbage dump. A play about women who refuse to be trash. We are literally building a theatre in a garbage dump. You gotta check it out! Book. your ticket, share this event. Come get TRASHY.
Written by friend of Bygone Rachel Ganz (the brilliant playwright behind Joe, a play that has been being workshopped this season) this production is sure to be brilliant and outrageous. Get your tickets here.
Written by Joel Pettigrew
Directed by Victoria Urquhart
“The Girl in the Photograph” is a play based on a true story set in Mexico, telling the story of Paula, who gets caught up in a forbidden first love amidst a whirlwind of emotion and drama. The play leads us by the hand as we witness the development of a teen relationship with intricate consequences that have on everyone it touches. More than the sum of its parts as a drama, there are also several themes and thought-provoking subjects being explored: how can love develop even when circumstances would forbid it? What is that strength that carries us through moments of manipulation, how does it activate, and how did it come to be in us? In addition to the story being set in Mexico, this show is a proudly latino production with a Hispanic cast, boasting the well-established actors and artists of Toronto and Canada.
Friend of Bygone David Chinchilla (who performed in our first ever Retro Radio Hour) is performing in this new drama. Get your tickets here.
Want to see what else is on at this year’s Fringe?
Check out the program guide on their website.
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!
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.
You can see Kevin onstage March 8-17, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre.
Get your tickets today!
Scott McCulloch plays Truscott in our upcoming production of “Loot”. See him onstage March 8-17, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre, Toronto.
Scott McCulloch plays Truscott – a council employee from the Metropolitan Water Board, and certainly not a police Inspector – in our upcoming production of Joe Orton’s Loot.
Bio: Loot marks the first time in a career spanning more than 30 years, well over 100 plays and close to 50 film and television productions. that he has appeared A) with Bygone Theatre B) at the Alumnae, and C) (fulfilling a long-time ambition) in one of Mr. Orton’s plays. He is delighted on all counts. Scott has been exceptionally busy doing indie theatre over the last two years, with his work including productions of Three Sisters (Wolf Manor Theatre Collective), Titus Andronicus and Edward Albee’s The Play About The Baby (Seven Siblings), Den of Thieves (which he directed for Triple Bypass Productions) Hogtown (the largest collective in Toronto theatre history) at Campbell House, and The Trial of Judith K for Thought For Food at the TPM Backspace for which he received a Broadway World: Toronto nomination for best performance by a male in a featured role. Dad in The Dreamer Examines His Pillow (JR Theatre), Richard in Time Stands Still (Leroy Street Theatre) and Dr. Black in the dora award winning The Belle of Winnipeg (Keystone Theatre) are just a few of his other favourite stage roles. Favourite experiences in front of the camera include the films “Blood Empires”, “Phone Company Man”, “The Lady of Names”, and episodes of “My Babysitter’s a Vampire”, “Mayday”, “Aaron Stone”, and “Relic Hunter.” Watch for Scott on the festival circuit in the short films, “Fowl Play” and “Split.” He holds a BFA from the University of Windsor, and an MFA from Northern Illinois University.
What made you want to be a part of Loot?
I’ve always wanted to do one of Orton’s plays, so I was all over it as soon as I saw the audition notice.
How do you feel about your character? Do you relate to them at all? Share any of the same traits?
Truscott’s probably not the most admirable of human beings, but I love playing him. The longer I work on the role, the more I find I do have in common with him, to a greater or lesser degree, but the first thing that jumped out at me was the need to be the smartest person in the room. I’ve been trying to work on that in my personal life, but as Truscott, I can give it free reign. And of course there’s the whole wearing of women’s underclothes thing. There’s no actual mention of that in the script, but I’m pretty sure he does.
What’s been your favourite part of the rehearsal process so far?
My favourite part of the rehearsal process so far has been just getting to play in the Orton sandbox with such a talented group of playmates.
What’s your favourite thing to have come out of the 1960s?
My favourite thing to come out of the 60’s? Well, I’m dating myself here, I suppose, but . . . me. And the Rolling Stones.
Are you working on any other projects at the moment/ What might we have seen you in recently?
A web series project (which co-stars Luba Goy) that I’m involved with is being pitched to potential investors in March in NYC, so I’d love it if people could give our FB page a like: www.facebook.com/savecaptjakes/ Several episodes are already available for viewing there too. I also have several short films in the can which should be popping up at various festivals before too long: 45, Fowl Play, Split, and Roadmarks. And a feature I did a few years back, Blood Empires, is still widely available online.
Why should people come out and see the show?
Orton was ahead of his time, but sadly he didn’t live long enough to write more than a handful of plays and they don’t get done nearly enough. Here’s a rare opportunity to see one of his best, performed by a crackerjack cast. Did I mention it’s hilarious?
Anything else you want us to know?
Diet Coke is even worse for you than regular Coke.
[DIRECTOR’S NOTE: I feel this may be directed specifically at me, but I choose to ignore it!]
See Scott onstage March 8-17, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre in Toronto. Get your tickets now!
What’s been your favourite part of the rehearsal process so far?
Are you working on any other projects at the moment/ What might we have seen you in recently?
See Jonah onstage March 8-17, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre. Tickets on sale now.
Patrick Young plays the recently widowed Mr. McLeavy in our upcoming production of Loot; this is Patrick’s first production with Bygone Theatre.
Bio: Patrick retired last year from Sheridan College, where he founded the joint actor-training program with University of Toronto Mississauga and headed it for 25 years. He directed two shows for Theatre Sheridan and twenty-something for Theatre Erindale, from The Importance of Being Earnest and The Maid’s Tragedy to Picnic and Unity (1918). He has also been Artistic Director of Dalhousie Theatre Productions, Associate Director of the Lighthouse Theatre Festival, and Director/Dramaturg of the Muskoka Festival Musical Theatre Writer’s Colony, and is the author of four award-winning biographical plays (three of them with music by Bob Ashley) as well as several adaptations of classics. In his earlier incarnation as an actor, his Toronto credits included the record-breaking hits Flicks, The Relapse, and the original production of Automatic Pilot, as well as Chinchilla and the last national tour of Spring Thaw. Elsewhere the range included Misalliance and Threepenny Opera in Boston, Uncle Vanya and Tobacco Road in Indiana, Windsor in Charlottetown, Dames at Sea in Winnipeg, Hay Fever across BC and Scapin across Ontario, plus guest starring on such TV series as The Great Detective and Night Heat.
What made you want to be a part of Loot?
As soon as I had a chance to re-read it, I knew I wanted to play Mr. McLeavy. So I looked up Bygone Theatre and was pretty impressed. Then I asked to audition and the rest is history.
How do you feel about your character? Do you relate to them at all? Share any of the same traits?
McLeavy is a breath of ostensible normality in a world gone mad. With his naïve trust in institutions and authority (at a time when we’re doubting them more than ever!), he throws the point of the play into perspective. And don’t we all wish that we had reason to get that trust back?
What’s been your favourite part of the rehearsal process so far?
We’re just starting it – it’s getting the play on its feet to explore the possibilities and test the choices. And I love working with my talented cast-mates!
What’s your favourite thing to have come out of the 1960s?
I was at university then so that’s easy: The Beatles! Though I should also mention the beginnings of the sexual revolution. We all benefit from both of them!
Are you working on any other projects at the moment/ What might we have seen you in recently?
Not yet, but my production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST for Theatre Erindale was chosen one of the Ten Best shows west of Toronto in 2017 – including Stratford and Shaw (!) — by the Ontario Arts Review. I’m definitely game for more acting or directing, but as I just retired from a full-time College Professorship, I’m not in a rush. And I have travel plans!
Why should people come out and see the show?
Because it’s going to be so much fun! It’s so cynical that it’s the perfect antidote to today’s cynicism!
Anything else you want us to know?
Yes – the link to the go-fund-me campaign!
See Patrick onstage March 8-17th, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre.
Get your tickets now!
Kenton Blythe is playing trouble-maker Dennis in our upcoming production of Loot. You may remember Kenton from one of our Retro Radio Hours, or from his role as Max Halliday in Dial M For Murder, back in 2013.
Bio: Kenton is excited to be farcing around with you and this awesome cast. Selected Theatre Credits include: Grey (Toronto Fringe)[Best Ensemble Nominee My Entertainment World], Heart of Steel (Next Stage Fest.) Cabaret. Juno and the Paycock (Shaw Festival), Evil Dead: The Musical (Starvox Ent. w/ Jeffery Latimer Ent.), Dial M for Murder (Bygone Theatre) Selected Film: Sandman: 24 Hour Diner (Youtube / Vimeo), Reign (The CW), Blood and Fury: America’s Civil War (AHC), Looking For Today (Canadian Film Fest.) Twitter: @KentonBlythe IG: @KentonBlythe Youtube: Kenton Blythe
What made you want to be a part of Loot?
I loved the script when I read it and I always get cast as murders and racists, so a farce is a lovely change of pace.
You can see Kenton Blythe onstage at the Alumnae Theatre March 8-17, 2018.
Get your tickets online 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!
Anything else you want us to know?
I’m not a natural blonde 😉
See Sarah onstage March 8-17th at Alumnae Theatre. Tickets on sale now.
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
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.
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.
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 City of Mahagonny and Chekov’s The Man in the Case.
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
Tickets: On-sale now. Available at https://loot.bpt.me
Media Contact: Producer Emily Dix, Emily@bygonetheatre.com, 647-343-5965
Twitter: @BygoneTheatre |FB: Facebook.com/BygoneTheatre |Insta: @BygoneTheatre
For group sales, press access or to request accommodation, please email Emily@bygonetheatre.com.
This production is being produced by The Loot Collective and is being supported by
Bygone Theatre.
Bygone Theatre 