Presented in association with the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, Western Gold Theatre and Theatre at UBC
Honoré de Balzac’s
Adapted and Directed by James Fagan Tait Music Composed and Directed by Joelysa Pankanea Associate Director: Sarah Rodgers
January 17–26, 2008 TELUS Studio Theatre, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts PUSH AD 7.5X10 11/13/07 1:03 PM Page 1 photo by John Lauener Haircuts by Children
VENUES ALL OVER THE CITY. ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. LET YOUR HAIR DOWN WITH LIVE PERFORMANCE. January 16–February 3, 2008 Vancouver • Canada www.pushfestival.ca Full program available November 22 Honoré de Balzac’s old goriot
January 17 to 26, 2008 Starring: Stephen Aberle TELUS Studio Theatre Patti Allan Mary Black Anna Hagan
Adapted and Directed by David Mackay James Fagan Tait Richard Newman Music Composed and Directed by Gina Stockdale Joelysa Pankanea Alec Willows Associate Director: Sarah Rodgers Sarah Afful Spencer Atkinson Wil Carlos Jocelyn Gauthier
Costume Design: Mara Gottler Max Gilbert Scenography: Robert Gardiner Kevin Kraussler Jameson Parker Stage Manager: Robin Richardson Cecile Roslin
Becky Shrimpton Kevin Stark Western Gold Theatre Society wishes to thank the following for their generous donations:
TELUS Vancouver Community Board Honoré de Balzac’s old goriot
Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) is called the Shakespeare of the novel and his Le Père Goriot is both a landmark in world literature and his most universally loved work. The novel was written 1834-1835 when Balzac was 35 years old. It first appeared in serialized form in Revue de Paris in the Fall of 1834 and in completed book form in 1835.
A key entry in his Comédie Humaine, a 95-volume collection of linked stories about French society, Old Goriot paints the lives of a group of lodgers in a Parisian boarding house and their world with an electrifying vitality. As a stand-alone novel it represents Balzac’s talents at their height. Many of his novels were not always complete unto themselves, requiring other works to tie them together. Thus,Le Pére Goriot has been one of his most widely read works, achieving such fame that the novel’s protagonist Rastignac is synonymous for the French with a bright young man determined to succeed—perhaps at any cost.
Oscar Wilde once said, “The Nineteenth Century, as we know it, is largely an invention of Balzac’s.” One of the reasons for this is Balzac’s representation of the modern city. Paris from the start of the novel is a living, breathing self- contained entity into which persons enter, live and die in lives that few know or care about. The city was an environment from which one rose or fell in the “mud of the street.” Balzac was writing at a time of explosive growth between 1800 and 1830, when the population of Paris doubled.
No previous author had written like this and Balzac is credited with initiating the new realistic school of French literature which succeeded romanticism. Future authors such as Charles Dickens with London and Dostoevsky with St. Petersburg would follow in this tradition.
More at www.theatre.ubc.ca Cast
Stephen Aberle* Museum Official
Comte de Restaud
Vicomte de Beauséant
Gondureau
Patti Allan* Madame Vauquer
Mary Black Mademoiselle Michonneau
Anna Hagan* Comtesse de l'Ambermesnil
Vicomtesse de Beauséant
Eugène's mother
David Mackay* Vautrin
Richard Newman* Old Goriot
Gina Stockdale* Sylvie
Duchesse de Langeais
Alec Willows* Poiret
Musicians Michael Dowler Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
Mark Haney Double Bass
Joelysa Pankanea Marimba
*Appears courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association Cast
Sarah Afful Madame Couture Spencer Atkinson Eugène de Rastignac Wil Carlos Christophe Jocelyn Gauthier Anastasie de Restaud Agathe Max Gilbert Sewerman Agent Baron de Nucingen Policeman One Kevin Kraussler Police Clerk Maxime de Trailles Jacques Tailor Jameson Parker Sewerman’s Assistant Maurice D’Ajuda-Pinto Policeman Two Messenger from Taillefer Footman Cecile Roslin Delphine de Nucingen Laure Becky Shrimpton Victorine Kevin Stark Horace Bianchon Production
Adapted and Directed by James Fagan Tait* Music Composed and Directed by Joelysa Pankanea Associate Director Sarah Rodgers*
Costume Designer Mara Gottler Assistant to the Costume Designer Sydney Cavanagh Scenography Robert Gardiner Projection & Lighting Design Associate James Foy
Stage Manager Robin Richardson*
Producers for Western Gold Theatre Pamela Hawthorn, Allyson McGrane
Acknowledgements Bard on the Beach, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, Arts Club Theatre, Sal Ferreras (VCC School of Music), Martin Kinch (Playwright’s Theatre Centre), Shane Birley
Please turn off all pagers and cellular telephones.
The use of cameras or any other recording device is prohibited during the performance.
*Appears courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association Production
Production Manager Jay Henrickson Technical Direction Jim Fergusson, Don Griffiths Assistant Stage Managers Odessa Cadieux-Rey, Jenny Margueratt Props Supervisors Janet Bickford, Lynn Burton Wardrobe Mistress Sydney Cavanagh Costume Cutters Line Richard, Patricia Smith Costume First Hands Amira Jawad, Christine Pampel Costume Sewer Patrice Yapp Wig and Facials Stylist Christine Hackman Milliner Nina Prelog Dressers Jamie Desjardins, Megan Gilron, Jui Kang, Arthur Krumins Lighting Operator Maya Mohammadali Projections Operator James Foy Lighting Crew Jay Baker-French Set Construction Liz Baca, Jim Fergusson, Don Griffiths, Jay Taylor Scenic Artist Yulia Shtern Production Web Site Linda Fenton Malloy Production Poster & Program Design Ian Patton Administrative Assistant for Western Gold Jennifer Chin Stephen Aberle Spencer Atkinson A graduate of Studio 58, Stephen is Spencer Atkinson is thrilled to be apart a quirkily prolific Vancouver actor, of such a vibrant and dynamic cast and singer, songwriter and activist. He show. Spencer made his professional played in Victoria’s Men and Poems To acting debut last spring with Blackbird Love for Western Gold. Selected other Theatre in Peer Gynt and has appeared at credits include the title role in J.B. UBC in The Skin of Our Teeth, Big Love, for the Cathedral Guild for the Arts, Mother Courage and Her Children and Gayev in The Cherry Orchard for The A Misummer Night’s Dream. A former Chekhov Project, and many roles for member of the national cycling team and The Shakespeare Project and September With Sondheim, all at national medallist, Spencer is now in his Final Year of the BFA Christ Church Cathedral. He co-joked Palestine, Israel & Me: Acting Program. A Power Play at the World Peace Forum. He was a founding member of No Bells & Whistles Theatre, playing Torvald in A Mary Black Doll’s House and directing The Lady’s Not For Burning for them. Mary Black is a Toronto native Future projects include recording The Monster Child, his ballad who moved west to Vancouver of jealousy, betrayal, love and global devastation. over 12 years ago and resumed a career that was interrupted Sarah Afful more than 30 years ago to Sarah Afful is thrilled to be working raise her 4 children. She now in Jimmy Tait’s Old Goriot.Graduating has an active career in TV series & movies and supporting roles this April from the UBC BFA Acting in many feature films and is currently completing feature film program, other memorable UBC theatre Personal Effects with Michelle Pfeiffer . Her acting career had credits include: Mrs. Antrobus in The begun at Toronto’s Crest Theatre in the 1960’s. A few years ago Skin of Our Teeth, Puck in A Midsummer she returned to stagework and has appeared in The Gin Game, Night’s Dream, and Emily Dictionary The Women, Arthur Kopit’s Chamber Music and David Ives’ Sex, in Thomson Highway’s The Rez Sisters. Lies & David Ives. She acted in several plays in The Shakespeare Sarah looks forward to working as an Project at Christ Church Cathedral. She’s delighted to be actor in Vancouver and doing projects she is proud of. working with such a great group in Old Goriot. It doesn’t get any better. Patti Allan Patti is a graduate of the SFU Odessa Cadieux-Rey Contemporary School for the Arts. A This is Odessa’s first time donning the black garb and lurking four-time Jessie Award recipient, Patti in the wings. She just finished directing The Tempest with UBC has appeared in Film, TV and Theatre Players’ Club and previously acted, most recently in Socrates Productions throught the country. on Trial at UBC. She has enjoyed every experience she has had Favourite productions include: Cabaret, in theatre and hopes to explore even more, working primarily Waiting for the Parade (Showcase towards a career in directing. It has been a pleasure working Theatre), 42nd Street (Royal City), The with this cast and crew and she is incredibly glad to have had Soldier’s Tale (Turning Point Ensemble/ the opportunity. SFU), Crime and Punishment, Asylum of the Universe (NeWorld Theatre), Funny Girl, Arsenic and Old Lace, Hamlet, Imaginary Wil Carlos Invalid (Arts Club), A Christmas Carol, The Music Man, 3 Tall Wil has been acting on stage since he Women (Vancouver Playhouse), Film and TV Credits include: was 8 years old in the far east… Nova Love Money, Godiva’s, The L Word, Reefer Madness, The 4400, Scotia far east, and is extremely happy Huff, Dead Like Me, Good Boy, and numerous movies of the week. and fortunate to be working with such Patti teaches at SFU, directs for The Vancouver Youth Theatre, an incredible cast and crew on this years Is an Artist In Residence for the Vancouver School Board and production of Old Goriot. Wil has been is a board member for the “Turning Point Ensemble” Chamber seen on the UBC stage previously in Orchestra. She also loves singing with The Swing Sister’s Trio. 2006 in Hot ‘L’ Baltimore and Shadows of Troy as Achilles in 2007. Aside from working with such great professionals and students, this show has also been as close as Wil has come to Jocelyn Gauthier working in French theatre, which is one of his theatrical goals. Jocelyn is very excited to be a part of this Enjoy the show! production of Honore de Balzac’s Old Goriot . This show has been an incredibly Sydney Cavanagh rewarding experience, and she feels Thrilled to be part of this production, very privileged that she was given the her 10th with Jimmy Tait and 16th with opportunity to both learn from, and work Mara Gottler. Sydney started with them with, such an amazingly talented group on Crime and Punishment and has never of people. Jocelyn is in her second year of looked back. It’s been amazing being able the B.F.A. Acting program and recently, to work with such talent, an endless well she has been seen as “Iphigenia” and “Briseis” in The Shadows of creativeness and support. Glad to be of Troy, as “The Girl” in Lanford Wilson’s Hot-L-Baltimore, and home, after a season with Steppenwolf as “Rose” in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore. She would like to theatre in Chicago, Sydney is now thank her family, friends, and all of the people involved in the preparing to design Volpone, and for her 3rd summer at Bard On production for their unending support and encouragement. The Beach. She is a product of Studio 58. Max Gilbert Mike Dowler Max Gilbert hails from A native of Vancouver, Mike is a freelance Minneapolis, Minnesota and clarinettist specializing in new music is currently in his third year and improvisation. He holds a B.Mus. pursuing a BA in Theatre. from U.B.C. and a M.A. from City Previously he has appeared University of New York where he studied on the Freddie Wood stage in with clarinet virtuoso, Charles Neidich. Camyar Chai’s production of Mother Courage and Her Children, He has a keen interest in working with at the TELUS in Shadows of Troy, as well as several shows in last dancers, actors and new media, having year’s Brave New Playrites Festival. Max is excited to have been recently participated in Bob Pritchard’s asked to join the enormously talented cast of Old Goriot. “Interdisciplinary Projects 469B” and Colleen Lanki’s “Mapping Empire” at UBC, as well as many projects with Vancouver New Mara Gottler Music and the behind open doors arts collective. Also, he studies Mara’s recent design credits include and performs Irish traditional music where clarinet is his rogha Richard III (Studio 58), A Doll’s House gléas. But this story isn’t about him—not yet anyway. (Chemainus Festival Theatre) and Revenge (Felix Culpa). As resident Robert Gardiner costume designer for Bard on the Beach, Robert Gardiner, has designed scenery Mara designed all four main stage and and/or lighting at numerous theatres, studio stage productions last season: The including the Arts Club (Vancouver), Taming of the Shrew; Romeo and Juliet; Charlotte Martin (Seattle), Organic Julius Caesar and Timon of Athens. A (Chicago), Belfry (Victoria), Gateway strong supporter of independent companies using original (Richmond), and Centaur (Montreal). material with a historical perspective, she has designed such He has also worked as a director, technical premiere projects as the Governor General’s Award-winning director, stage carpenter, scenic artist, play Unity:1918 (Touchstone Theatre); Crime and Punishment: and actor. His designs have appeared The Musical (Neworld Theatre/ PuSh International Festival); in a number of exhibitions, including the Canadian National Brilliant: The Blinding Enlightenment of Nikola Tesla (N.A.C./ Exhibit at the Prague Quadrennial in 1998, and have received Electric Compnay) and more recently, Studies in Motion (Electric several Jesse Richardson Awards. Robert is Professor of Design Company/Theatre at UBC/PuSh International Festival). A for Theatre at UBC Vancouver, and is delighted to have this recipient of numerous Jesse Richardson Theatre Awards, Mara opportunity to work with such a wonderful artistic team and has been twice nominated for the prestigious Siminovitch cast and participate the PuSh festival. Theatre Prize and has had her work showcased at the World Stage Design Exhibition. Her recently launched fashion line has been featured in national magazines and her gowns have graced the Leo Award presentations. Anna Hagan David Mackay Anna has worked at most of the regional David is excited to be back at his alma theatres in Canada. Selected and mater with such a great group of people memorable acting experiences include working on another Tait/Pankanea Cyrano de Bergerac, Music Man, Cherry project. David has worked extensively Orchard, A Man for All Seasons, Beggar’s in Vancouver as an actor, playwright Opera, Citadel Theatre and The Mill on director. Last year he wrote the highly the Floss, at World Stage Festival and Soul successful comedy, Thicker than Water Pepper Theatre, all under the direction for his company, Yorick Theatre. David of Robin Phillips. Anna was last seen in has worked with many local companies Tempus Theatre’s inaugural production of A Delicate Balance, including, the Playhouse, Bard on the Beach, the Arts Club, Axis, and the World Premier of Revenge, for Felix Culpa Theatre, and and Ruby Slippers. He is one of the original creators/performers The Stone Face, for Damfino Theatre, both in Vancouver. For the of The Number 14. David is excited to have studied at UBC with Bardathon, Anna played Mistress Quickly in The Merry Wives some of Vancouver’s most prominent theatre and film artists of Windsor, and Hermione in A Winter’s Tale. Directing credits which include, Tom Scholte, Lois Anderson, Michelle Porter, include: She Stoops to Conquer, Waiting for Godot, The Merry Sue Bertoia, Kerry Davidson, Peter Wilds, Kathy Duborg, and Wives of Windsor, for Arena Theatre, White Rock, Henry IV Part Laara Sadiq to name a few. He predicts this crop of students 1, Henry V, JB, and Uncle Vanya at Christ Church Cathedral, and will contribute significantly to Vancouver’s flourishing theatre Noel Coward’s Waiting in the Wings, United Players, Vancouver. community. Film and TV credits include guest appearances in Da Vinci’s Inquest, Cold Squad, The L Word, The 4400, Dead Like Me, She Allyson McGrane recently completed the film Judicial Indiscretion. Anna is also Allyson McGrane is a Vancouver-based business consultant who co-artistic director of Western Gold Theatre. specializes in the arts, non-profits and small business start-ups. As a partner in Left Right Minds Initiatives, Allyson has over Mark Haney eight years of experience with consulting, mentoring, giving Recent theatre highlights include workshops, strategic planning and producing events. Since Timon of Athens at Bard on the Beach 2001, she has worked with over 75 non-profit arts groups and and A Christmas Carol at the Vancouver helped raise more than $2 million to fund various projects. She Playhouse. Mark is a substitute musician is also a lawyer who graduated from the University of Victoria, with the Vancouver Symphony, and now runs her own sole practice as McGrane & Company. and performs with many bands and Allyson serves as the board president for TTS Theatre Terrific songwriters including The Beige and Society—an organization which focuses on providing theatre Rodney Decroo. In the spring Mark will education and performance opportunities for disabled artists. be releasing the debut album by “Hot Ardent Zeal,” his solo electro-acoustic project. Richard Newman Richard Newman is thrilled to be Kevin Kraussler working once again with Jimmy and Kevin is ecstatic to have the opportunity Joelysa, having appeared in their to work with the creative team of James production of Crime and Punishment. Fagan Tait and Joelysa Pankanea again. Recent local appearances include Kevin is a graduate of the UBC B.F.A. The Diary of Anne Frank (Arts Club); Acting Program and a current student at Moonlight and Magnolias (Playhouse); UBC. His Theatre at UBC credits include The Fly Fisher’s Companion, Having Hope Mother Courage and Her Children, Life at Home (Gateway); and The One That After God (Touchstone), Guliano in Big Got Away: A Play in a Pool (Electric Company/Only Animal). Love, Jamie Gangel in Beautiful Thing, Younger TV watchers might recognise Richard’s voice as that of and Jim O’ Connor in The Glass Menagerie. He most recently Rhinox in Beast Wars, Mayor Knightley in Edgar and Ellen, and appeared onstage in both Timon of Athens and Julius Caesar Franklin the Turtle’s father. He lives in New Westminster with at Bard on the Beach (2007). Kevin would like to express his actress Lisa Bunting and their soon to be 12 year old daughter, gratitude to the cast and crew for their warmth and dedication. Sofia. Joelysa Pankanea Sarah Rodgers Originally from Kenya, East Africa, Sarah is a director and an Joelysa has been composing, musical actor; she graduated in 2003 directing and performing original live with her MFA in directing music for Vancouver’s vibrant theatre from UBC. Highlights: Cat scene for the past decade and has worked and Mouse (Sheep) Sea Theatre, extensively with award winning director Jessie Richardson recipient for James Fagan Tait. Her work has earned Outstanding direction; Under Milk Wood (UBC); The Elephant her two Jessie awards and multiple Man (Pacific Theatre); The Impromptu of Outremont (United nominations for past productions and Players); A Syringa Tree Outreach (Vancouver Playhouse); A she is most noted for her original music for James Fagan Tait’s Christmas in Wales (Chemainus Theatre); Driving Miss Daisy adaptation of Crime and Punishment (Neworld Theatre). Recent (Pacific Theatre) and most recently My Fair Lady for The Credits: Timon of Athens (Bard on the Beach), Charles Dicken’s Gateway Theatre. Upcoming: Island of Bliss (Western Canada A Christmas Carol (Playhouse Theatre Company), and Griffin Theatre) and St. Joan (Chemainus Theatre). Sarah has been and Sabine (Arts Club). Upcoming: Saint Joan (Chemainus thrilled and honoured to work on this beautiful show. Thank Theatre), The Perfect Detonator (a Jay White animated short) you Jimmie for bringing me into the HOUSE OF LOVE. and King Lear (Bard on the Beach). Cecile Roslin Jameson Parker In her last show before Jameson is thrilled to be graduating from UBC with a working with such a talented BFA in theatre, Cecile can’t collective of individuals, on help but feel tremendous this amazing script and would gratitude towards the teachers, like to thank James Fagan Tait, classmates and directors that Joelysa Pankanea and Theatre have guided her through this process. Thank you, with every at UBC for giving him the opportunity. His credits include fiber of my being, thank you all. Past UBC credits include Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, and How to Succeed in Business Veronique St. Pierre in The Rez Sisters, Snout in A Midsummer Without Really Trying to name a few on stage; most recently he Night’s Dream, Olympia in Big Love and Gladys in Skin of Our worked on Lifetime’s made for TV movie The Party Never Stops Teeth. A special thanks to James Fagan Tait and Sarah Rogers directed by David Wu. Jameson was also part of Canadian Idol’s for this astounding opportunity. You are both amazing. Top 100 in 2006. Becky Shrimpton Robin Richardson Becky Shrimpton is in her second year Most recently Robin Stage Managed of the UBC BFA program and is pleased Touchstone and neworld Theatres’ as spiked punch to be working with such production of Tideline. Other recent a delightful ensemble on a wonderful credits include Horseshoes and adaptation of a heart breaking novel. Handgrenades’ 4:48 Psychosis and the She has had an exciting time this year Fringe hit Get off the Cross Mary with first with her role as Electra in Shadows Small Brown Paper Bag Productions. of Troy and now as Victorine Taillfer. She Other SM credits are shows with conferred with her mother to inquire as to Theatre One, Urban Ink, Little Apples what it is about her that reads as, “Emotionally Troubled Youth”. Equity Co-op, Section 8, Megakins Productions, Hoarse Raven Her mother has denied responsibility but suggests you attend Theatre, Quickchange Productions, Carousel Theatre, Arts Club Dybbuk on the Fredric Wood stage from March 28-April 6 to see Theatre, Passion Play Productions and Barestage Productions. Becky play a rather jolly elderly lady. She would like to thank the Robin has also worked in various technical capacities for Up audience for supporting local theatre and hopes that you have a In The Air Theatre, Pacific Theatre, Rumble Theatre, Theatre grand evening out. And gentlemen, perhaps you should buy her Under The Stars, Section 8 Theatre, Dance Arts Vancouver, dinner afterwards. Studio 58 and The Burnaby Arts Council. Some TV and Film credits include roles on Davinci’s Inquest, Stargate sg1, Men in Trees and Psych. Canadian films Eighteen, Still Life with Scissors and Various Positions. Robin is a graduate of Studio 58. Kevin Stark Alec Willows Kevin is thrilled to get the chance to Alec started his career in the early be a part of such a talented company of 70’s at the Shaw Festival and has since artists. Getting to work with seasoned worked in theatres across Canada and professionals while still in the midst America. In the 80’s he worked with the of his university education has been “Flying Karamazov Bros.” and appeared a tremendous opportunity. Kevin is a on Broadway in their productions of graduate of Capilano College’s Theatre Comedy of Errors and Juggle or Die. He Diploma program as well as their also originated the role of Manny in John Directing practicum program. Playing Gray’s Rock and Roll and toured Canada Horace Bianchon, the medical student, in Balzac’s Old Goriot in several productions. Alec has starred in the Canadian comedy has fulfilled one of Kevin’s lifelong dreams. He can now actually filmsToyko Cowboy and Harmony Cats and was a regular on the use the phrase, “I’m not a doctor, but I played one on stage.” You CBC sitcoms Airwaves and Max Glick. He recently appeared at can catch Kevin playing Chonen next in UBC’s production of the Stanley Theatre in David King’s Up Island and will appear A Dybbuk that goes up in March. Finally, Kevin would like to this year in his new play Cover. He has just returned from thank James Fagan Tait and Joelysa Pankanea for the amazing Calgary’s Alberta Theatre Projects where he performed in Paul opportunity and all the support. Enjoy the play...... orama. Ledoux’s world premiere of Still Desire You.
Gina Stockdale Honoré de Balzac Most recent credit is a 2007 Leo for best Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) was born female in a short film for her work in at Tours on May 20, 1799. His father, Regarding Sarah, written and directed Bernard François Balssa, who adopted by UBC film alumni Michelle Porter. the form of the family name made Enormous thanks to Anna and Pam at familiar by the novelist, came of peasant Western Gold, Jimmy, Joelysa, Sarah and stock from the south of France. Honoré the whole Old Goriot ensemble for this went to school at Vendôme, Tours, and creative experience, not to mention the Paris, later proceeding to study law, and brain gymnastics of learning lines for the spent three years in a solicitor’s office. stage again. But when his father wished him to devote himself definitely to the practice of law he revolted, and at the age of twenty-one took James Fagan Tait up with determination the profession of letters. Directed: Timon of Athens (Bard on the Beach), Revenge (Felix culpa), Thicker For five years he lived in very straitened circumstances, producing Than Water (Yorick Productions), Griffin unsuccessful dramas and a large number of equally unsuccessful and Sabine (Arts Club Theatre), The novels, chiefly after the pattern of the English Gothic novel. Bloody Clean Up (Les Saints/neworld) Half- starving in a Paris garret, Balzac wrote sensational novels and How I Learned to Drive (Overdrive to order, publishing them under a pseudonym. Productions). Adapted and directed: A Christmas The prospect of making a living by his pen remaining dark, Carol (Vancouver Playhouse) and Crime he went into business in 1825 as a publisher, printer, and type- and Punishment (neworld/PuSh/Vancouver Moving Theatre). founder; but all he seems to have gained from this enterprise Adapted: Vasily, the Luckless (Boca del Lupo), The Shoes That was a large debt which burdened him ever after, some experience Were danced to Pieces (Boca del Lupo). Upcoming: Directing of life, and a knowledge of the details of business, of which he The Tiny Apocalypse (Rumble’s Tremors Festival) and adapting availed himself in his later writings. and directing King Lear (Bard on the Beach). In 1829 he again began to publish his own work, and his historical novel, Les Chouans, marks the real beginning of his literary career. This work is of a distinctly romantic type. The Physiologie du mariage, published in the same year, is as distinctly realistic.
About 1842 he set about planning his books as part of a vast Comédie humaine, into which scheme he fitted, as far as possible, “Body to body he seizes modern society; from all he wrests something, from the works he had already issued. Eventually becoming a 95 volume these an illusion, from those a hope; from one a catch-word, from another collection La Comédie Humaine is a collection of interlinked a mask. He ransacked vice, he dissected passion. He searched out and novels and stories depicting French society in the period of the sounded man, soul, heart, entrails, brain,—the abyss that each one has Restoration and the July Monarchy (1815-1848). The collection within himself. was subdivided into scenes from private life, provincial life, - From the eulogy for Honoré de Balzac political life, military life, and country life; and outside of these delivered at his grave side by Victor Hugo groups were philosophical and analytical studies. Among the In association with: most important titles are La Peau de chagrin, Le Curé de Tours, JANUARY 24 - FEBRUARY 23 2007 - 2008 Eugénie Grandet, L’Illustre Gaudissart, La Recherche de l’absolu, La Femme de trente ans, Le Père Goriot, Séraphita, Histoire de la grandeur et de la décadence de César Birotteau, Ursule Mironet, and La Cousine Bette. Balzac’s two great gifts were a colossal A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS And when the last law was cut down by Robert Bolt imagination and a capacity for minute observation. From the and the devil turned round on you, where first came a romantic tendency which crops out here and there would you hide, the laws all being at? throughout his work; from the second the realism which makes his Comédie so wonderful a picture of France in the second quarter of the nineteenth century.
Certainly Balzac ranks among the great masters of the novel and is credited with helping to initiate the new realistic school of French literature which succeeded romanticism. Instead of seeking exceptional heroes, Balzac aimed at the close and painstaking study of the men and women of his time. His plan of composition illustrates his careful method. This was the method of the photograph or of the daguerreotype, the close reproduction of details of life and manners. Consequently, the novels of Balzac are most valuable documents for the study of LARK C EVIN K BY the period they chiefly describe, the reign of Louis Philippe, UECK D VANGELA when the moneyed bourgeoisie or middle-class was in control, E AND
EED R ON and when material interests were much more prevalent than one , R ERGQUIST B DAM would infer from reading the romanticists alone. Balzac’s stories , A AMPLES TICKETS: 604 731 5518 - PACIFICTHEATRE.ORG S ILLIAM are apt to deal with the selfish and sordid side of life, but that W OF A MIDNIGHT THEATRE COLLECTIVE PRODUCTION FEATURING RON REED, DAMON CALDERWOOD, TRISH PATTENDEN, DIRK VAN STRALEN, WILLIAM SAMPLES, ADAM BERGQUIST, results rather from the social conditions of the time or from the JULIUS CHAPPLE, EVANGELA DUECK DIRECTED BY JEREMY TOW COSTUME DESIGN BY TRACY WRIGHT SOUND DESIGN BY DAN AMOS STAGE MANAGEMENT BY LOIS DAWSON PHOTOS bias of his mind than from the inherent demands of his method.
In spite of the amount and popularity of his work, Balzac was continually in financial straits, partly because of his bad business management, partly because his habit of rewriting his books after they were in proof increased enormously the cost of production. Balzac corrected and recorrected his work in proof until the original text was unrecognizable in its final form. No man ever labored more persistently in his profession. He would write sixteen hours a day, and keep it up for weeks; and it is little wonder that ultimately his constitution broke down.
For the last eighteen years of his life he was devoted to a Madame Hanska, a wealthy Polish countess, with whom he corresponded and whom he occasionally visited. They were finally married in March, 1850; but scarcely had Balzac settled down to enjoy the long-deferred fulfillment of his desires than he was seized with heart disease, and died on the 17th of August of that year. Western Gold Theatre Western Gold Theatre is a professional Members & Donors List theatre company founded by Joy 7ESTERN 'OLD 4HEATRE 3OCIETY Coghill in 1994, in order to utilize and Joy Coghill, Honorary Member showcase the talents of mature Canadian performers. The company aims to Diane Abbott expand and enrich the lives of both Stephen Aberle senior performers and their diverse Thor Arngrim audiences and at the same time serve as Susan Astley a creative role model for our expanding Herb & Mary Auerbach senior population. Currently, the Roberta Beiser company is under the direction of three Sherry Bie Co-Artistic Directors: Pamela Hawthorn, Ann Cameron Anna Hagan and Don Mowatt. Marnie Carter
Board of Directors Robert Watts, President Jennifer Chin Joseph Shaw Carolyn Roberts Thor Arngrim Anna Hagan Frank Lindsay Pamela Hawthorn Nuala Woodham Sandra Head Severin Morin Jane Heyman Lois Horan Co-Artistic Directors Anna Hagan, Pamela Hawthorn Terrence Kelly and Don Mowatt Ken Kramer Martin Landmann Administrative Director Allyson McGrane Elizabeth A. Lane F.A. Lindsay Barbara Lowy
Become a member We invite you to become a member of Allyson McGrane of Western Gold Theatre: the Western Gold Theatre Society and Severin Morin join the many people who enjoy our Don Mowatt performances throughout the year. You Joseph Shaw can purchase a two-year membership for Kathryn Shaw the Society for $10.00. All our members Tom Shorthouse receive information about the Society’s Barbara & Judah Shumiatcher events and a tax-receipt for dues and John A. Stott donations. Mary Szigety Lee & Sonya Taylor Western Gold Theatre Society Jack Thorne Kerrisdale PO Ray Wallis PO Box 18071 Robert Watts Vancouver, bc v6m 4l3 J.B. & Nuala Woodham www.westerngoldtheatre.com Marion & William Woodson Max Wyman Theatre at UBC Theatre at UBC offers a comprehensive Faculty range of degrees in the study of Theatre and includes the option to study in an Professors: interdisciplinary environment with Film, Robert Gardiner Creative Writing and other university Jerry Wasserman disciplines. Our objective is to develop students’ imaginative, technical, and Associate Adjunct intellectual skills equally as they prepare Professors: Professors: to embark on a career in theatre and Cathy Burnett Norman Armour related arts. Bob Eberle Susan Bertoia Ronald Fedoruk John Cooper Alison Green Rachel Ditor Stephen Heatley Skai Fowler Administration Stephen Malloy Pam Johnson Acting Head Jerry Wasserman Gayle Murphy Colleen Lanki Theatre Program Chair Stephen Heatley Glynis Leyshon Assistant David Mackay Business Manager Gerald Vanderwoude Professors: Jayson McLean Manager, Technical Production Jay Henrickson Kirsty Johnston Bill Millerd, CM Communications & Audience Services Ian Patton Tom Scholte Adrian Muir Marketing & Communications Deb Pickman Malcolm Page Theatre at UBC Website Linda Fenton Malloy Emeritus Patrick Professors: Pennefather Errol Durbach Melissa Poll Neil Freeman Sarah Rodgers Ian Pratt Gerri Sinclair Charles Seigel John Webber Staff Klaus Straussman Properties Janet Bickford Stanley Weese Sessional Lynn Burton John Wright Lecturers: Costumes Jean Driscoll-Bell Norman Young Jean Driscoll-Bell Stage Carpenters Jim Fergusson Sandra Ferens Don Griffiths Neil Freeman Box Office Tony Koelwyn Elia Kirby Financial Clerk Carol Lai Michelle La Program & Graduate Secretary Karen Tong Flamme Hallie Marshall Jill Wyness STEEL KISS By Robin Fulford Directed by Patrick McDonald
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At the Door: Students Pay What You Can
David Cooper Photography
greenthumb.bc.ca
linxprint.com PUSH TSA Hey Girl 12/6/07 2:39 PM Page 1 Photos by HG steirischer, HG Raffaelli by HG Photos steirischer,
The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, in association with Theatre at UBC present Hey Girl! By Romeo Castellucci Socìetas Raffaello Sanzio
“Romeo Castellucci confirmed his rep as contemporary theatre's most audacious and inventive image-maker with his meditation on women and femininity… Why is Castellucci's brilliant work not seen Stateside more frequently?”—Variety January 23–26, 2008, 7:30pm FREDERIC WOOD THEATRE AT UBC
Tickets $36/$30 | Theatre at UBC Box Office 604.822.2678 Student rush tickets available only at the door on the night of the performance: $20 This show is eligible for PuSh Pass access with a $7.50 surcharge
www.pushfestival.ca www.theatre.ubc.ca
MNTF-UBC Ad.ai 02/11/2007 6:07:43 PM
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M CANADA’S NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF June 4 - 14 | 2008 CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN THEATRE IN ENGLISH
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www.magneticnorthfestival.ca
CO-PRESENTED BY PRODUCED BY THE CANADIAN THEATRE FESTIVAL SOCIETY AND CO-PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ENGLISH THEATRE Richard Newman | Photo: Tim Matheson