| Current Production |
| Production Info |
| Company Bios |
| AЯT IS A CUPBOAЯD |
"Ignite the misfortune around you!" — They tell children's stories. They write poems. They wear funny hats and ride tricycles... And they make Comrade Stalin very nervous.
In 1927, as the Red Fist tightens its grip, the last group of avant-garde artists in Soviet Russia is planning its bold, absurdist farewell. But with the world becoming even stranger than their own surreal visions, and their audience literally disappearing around them, is it still worth the risk?
Melissa Major's darkly comic vision of the last days of the OBERIU intertwines the lives of its members with their art and nightmares, under the watchful eye of the mysterious Introduktor and the singing, slinking Chorus.
The winner of the 2004 York University President's Prize and a current finalist in Reverie Productions' Next Generation Contest in New York City, this poignant, (almost) true story is presented by The Sweat Company — the force behind the acclaimed 2005 Fringe hit The Dispute.
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Directed by Geoffrey Pounsett, the cast features Melyssa Ade as Marina, Aaron Franks as Semyonovich, David Frisch as Introduktor, Ryan Hughes as Vaginov, Robert Kingston as Bakhterev, Carolyne Maraghi as Chorus, Brendan Murray as Daniil Kharms, Katharine Alison Porter as Chorus, Christopher Stanton as Zabolotsky, Matt Steinberg as Vvedensky and Eric Weinthal as Chorus/Doktor.
Joining Mr. Pounsett is a creative team that includes designer Jessica Poirier-Chang, composer Sean Sullivan and stage manager Amy Levett.
With honesty, humour and a dual vision of powerful, challenging text and bold, expressive physicality at the core of its approach, The Sweat Company seeks to produce plays that fully engage both the actor and the audience: in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls.
AUDIENCE ADVISORY: This performance contains mature content and nudity; it is intended for mature audiences only.
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 90 minutes.