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BHTC's The Pluto Shot Opens Tonight!!!
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 12 Mar '13

12 Mar '13

The Black Hole Theatre Company Presents [cid:part1.00050007.01090702@bhtc.ca]<http://www.bhtc.ca/>The Pluto Shot by Robert Smith "In the midst of nuclear confusion and doomsday predictions, the conservationists, the cultists, and even the transcendental mystics are out in force." March 12-16, 19-23 at the Black Hole Theatre We're closing out our season with the world premiere of Robert Smith's The Pluto Shot. Inspired by Aristophanes, The Pluto Shot is an hilarious exposé about the politics of science which boldly forecasts a change in the... weather? Set in northern California in the early 1960's, in the midst of the cold war. The McCarthy era is just ending, Hitchcock is set to shoot The Birds, the population of San Francisco Bay is about to "explode" and scientists are developing the ultimate deterrent. Will San Francisco survive this snafu? Will the world crumble apart? Amid panicked hearsay and speculation, it is no surprise that alien abduction seems a genuine hope. Playwright Robert Smith developed this play as part of the latest New Play Development project cycle in the Theatre Program in the Department of English, Film, and Theatre at the at the University of Manitoba. Performances at the Black Hole Theatre, lower level of University College. 7:00 pm Mar 12th and 19th 8:00pm Mar 13th-16th, 19th-23rd Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Students and Seniors Tickets can either be purchased at the door or in advance. For reservations and group discounts contact the 24hr Box Office at 204-474-6880. bhtc.ca

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BHTC Presents Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 14 Jan '13

14 Jan '13

The Black Hole Theatre Company Presents [cid:part1.02090605.02020507@bhtc.ca] The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh January 15 - 26 at the Black Hole Theatre . Our second mainstage production is sure to show you a side of Ireland you've never seen before. In 1934, on the small island of Inishmaan, the community is always buzzing with gossip. As news spreads about a visit from Robert Flaherty to film Man of Aran, things on the island seem to be getting more and more strange. Some of the youth organize a boat trip to the neighboring island in hopes of getting a role in the film, but return one passenger short. 'Cripple' Billy Claven is taken to America for a screen test, leaving the people of Inishmaan to wonder what has become of him. Irish playwright Martin McDonagh was recently launched into the mainstream eye with his cinematic cult hit In Bruges (2008). This year McDonagh hit's the big screen again with Seven Psychopaths as his work graces our stage with The Cripple of Inishmaan. Director Mike Long takes the wheel of this darkly funny ship that will take audiences on a strange journey and get them thinking, dreaming and cracking up. Performances at the Black Hole Theatre, lower level of University College. 7:00 pm Jan 15th and 22th 8:00pm Jan 16th-19th, 23rd-26th Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Students and Seniors Tickets can either be purchased at the door or in advance. For reservations and group discounts contact the 24hr Box Office at 204-474-6880.

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BHTC Fall 2012 Newsletter
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 30 Nov '12

30 Nov '12

Here is a link to our Current Newsletter: http://www.bhtc.ca/newsletter.htm A Reminder that The Importance of Being Earnest has its final 2 performances tonight and tomorrow, Friday Nov 30 & Saturday Dec 1. ***

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The Importance of Being Earnest runs Nov 20-Dec 1 at the BHT
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 16 Nov '12

16 Nov '12

[cid:image002.jpg@01CDC3D4.F0156730]<http://www.bhtc.ca/index.htm>The Black Hole Theatre Company is proud to present our first production of the 2012/13 Season, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Nov 20-24 & 27 - Dec 1 at the Black Hole Theatre Featuring Black Hole Alumnus, Cynthia Hiebert-Simkin in the role of Lady Bracknell "It had always been a girlish dream of mine to love someone whose name was Ernest. There is something in that name that seems to inspire absolute confidence." - Cecily We open our 2012/2013 season with Oscar Wilde's witty masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. Set in Victorian England, the play is a farcical social satire on the triviality of social institutions, and is one of the most famous theatrical comedies of all time. The play follows two young gentleman, Jack and Algernon, who, in pursuit of their ladies Gwendolyn and Cecily, both assume the same alternate identity: Earnest Worthing. In spectacular fashion, their double lives collide at Jack's country manor and their deceptions are revealed. Cecily and Gwendolyn are both engaged to a man named Earnest Worthing, but neither Jack nor Algernon is Earnest at all! Directed by Black Hole alumnus, Kelly Jenken, this most elegant Comedy of Manners has stood the test of time and appeals to people of all age groups and sensitivities. For over one hundred years it has had audiences roaring with laughter. Performances at the Black Hole Theatre, lower level of University College, Dysart Rd. on the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus. 7:00 pm Nov 20th and 27th 8:00pm Nov 21th-24th, 28th - December 1st Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Students and Seniors, Tickets can either be purchased at the door or in advance. For reservations contact the 24hr Box Office at 204-474-6880.

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UM Theatre Program Presents "Fire in the Hole"
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 21 Mar '12

21 Mar '12

7pm March 26th, 27th, 30th and 31st , and It's FREE Come out and enjoy the University of Manitoba Theatre Program’s Fire in the Hole Festival. Last term, the Theatre Program offered classes in playwriting and play dramaturgy. The student playwrights worked with student dramaturges to produce short, one act plays. This term students who are taking the Advanced Directing class have focused on directing these new plays. The collaborative process will culminate in a series of sit-down and staged readings taking place on March 26th, 27th, 30th and 31st. Here are each of the plays being shown and a brief description of their content: Pseudoscience by Kevin Ramberran is a raunchy comedy about two friends trying to get along while locked in an apartment together. While Wayne, the lovable loser of the two, struggles with his physical passions, the narrow-minded Adrian tries to conduct an experiment. It’s a show that will make the audience laugh and cringe at the same time. Proof of Relationship by Emily Muller is a drama set against the backdrop of the Canadian immigration system. A man discovers a life shattering truth about his daughter as he attempts to move her to his new found home. An immigration worker shows up, determined to get some answers and gets more than she bargained for. This play is an emotional journey for the characters and the audience. Unforgettable by Tiffany Walker features a young daughter coping with the loss of her father. It explores the darkest parts of a young girls mind as she struggles with some of the hardest challenges life has to offer. Waiting for Godot’s Voice by Kristian Enright throws the audience into the mind of the insane. A patient, a doctor and some voices in your head are just a few of the characters who navigate the surreal dreamscape of insanity that Enright puts forth. Somebody by Mike Long is a dark, complex criticism on society through the lens of one man who decides to stop working. As his marking of papers slows down, a building is erected outside his window, blocking his view of the park and subsequently, his only source of happiness. This play is definitely something that will get people talking. Satellite of Love by Ivan Henwood is a curious story about a family dealing with the unusual behavior of the patriarch. An old man becomes silently entranced with a radio and his children debate his well-being and behavior. Nuclear Family by Ainza Bellefeuille shows the way a couple’s marriage is shaken apart by the death of their son. As the couple struggles with their own issues, the emotions get increasingly tense as the ghost of their son haunts the space they live in. The Tip Off by David Dick is a hyper-active comedy set in a hospital. When a doctor accidentally performs a circumcision before the mother gives full consent, he works to convince her and her traditionalist father that circumcision is the right choice. A Theatrical Presentation of the Manifestation of Patriarchy in Contemporary Western Society; A Sample of the Soon to be 2012 Fringe Production “Lady Skits”-*Inspired by the Muffs of Women and the Stache of Dennis Smith by MUFF-stache Collective is almost entirely what it sounds like. A collectively created piece of feminist theatre that is sure to make the audience think and laugh. On Monday, March 26th and Tuesday, March 27th at 7:00pm, sit-down readings will be held in the Losey Studio (in the basement of University College). Each day we will read a different set plays. On Friday, March 30th and Saturday, March 31st at 7:00pm, staged readings will be held in the Black Hole Theatre (in the basement of University College). Following the same formula as the sit-down reads, different shows will be staged each night, so if possible, come out to both! All of the evenings are free to attend and a small feedback session will be held after each show to discuss the works. Sincerely, Kevin Ramberran Production Manager, Fire in the Hole

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BHTC presents The House of Blue Leaves Mar 13-24
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 13 Mar '12

13 Mar '12

The Black Hole Theatre Company revisits our 1982 production of The House of Blue Leaves By John Guare Directed by George Toles running March 13 17, 20 24 at the Black Hole Theatre Don't miss the amazing Eldorado Bar and Grill Talent Show starting 15 minutes prior to our regular curtain time! . Our final mainstage show for the 2011-2012 season is John Guares hysterical comedy, The House of Blue Leaves. As in our 1982 version, this production features the saqme director, George Toles, set and lighting designer, Dennis Smith and costume designer, Jamie Savage. The play takes place in October, 1965, the day of Pope Pauls visit to New York to make a plea to the U.N. to end the war in Vietnam. As the Vatican motorcade wends its way through Sunnyside, Queens, Bunny Flingus persuades her middle-aged zookeeper boyfriend and would be songwriter, Artie Shaugnessy, to seek a blessing on their union and on the as yet unrecognized pop songs Artie has written. Complicating matters, Artie is still living with his depressive wife, Bananas, who Bunny is pushing him to have committed. Bunnys biggest plan, which Artie fervently embraces, is for the couple to move to California together, where Arties old neighborhood pal, Billy Einhorn, a famous movie director will elevate Artie to stardom. Adding to this domestic stew is Ronnie, Arties son who, having gone AWOL from the army, has built a bomb with which he hopes to assassinate the Pope. Chaos ensues as the characters, and a trio of nuns, a deaf movie starlet, and director Billy Einhorn himself show up in the Shaughnessey apartment. The House of Blue Leaves is widely regarded as American playwright Guares masterpiece, and it has received many awards. The play was revived last summer in New York, with an all-star cast that included Ben Stiller, Edie Falco, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. As an added bonus, prior to the start of the plays prologue, our production will feature an authentic amateur night talent show also set in the Eldorado Bar and Grill. Come early and enjoy the fun! Performances at the Black Hole Theatre, lower level of University College. 7:00 pm Mar 13th and 20nd 8:00pm Mar 14th-17th, 21nd -24th Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Students and Seniors Tickets can either be purchased at the door or in advance. For reservations and group discounts contact the 24hr Box Office at 474-6880. visit our web site: bhtc.ca

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Alumni & Scholarship Night Tuesday Jan 24 at the Gas Station Arts Centre
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 23 Jan '12

23 Jan '12

Dear Black Hole Alumni & Friends, I am writing to remind you that tomorrow’s performance of Arms and the Man on Tuesday, January 23, 2012 at 7:00 PM will be in honour of Irene Anderson and Vic Cowie, two people instrumental in the history of theatre at this University. A portion of the proceeds goes to support the scholarships in their respective names. We invite you to join us for this performance of Shaw’s classic play directed by Dr. Margaret Groome. The bar will remain open after the performance for those wishing to stay around and socialize. Sincerely, Dr. Bill Kerr Theatre Program Coordinator Department of English, Film, and Theatre

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BHTC Presents Arms and the Man for the MTC Master Playwright Festival
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 12 Jan '12

12 Jan '12

<http://www.masterplaywrightfest.com/> <http://www.bhtc.ca/> The Black Hole Theatre Company Presents Arms and the Man By George Bernard Shaw For the MTC Master Playwright Festival January 20 - 21, 23 - 29 at the Gas Station Arts Centre Festival Website - www.masterplaywrightfest.com <http://www.masterplaywrightfest.com/> Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MasterPlaywrightFestival ShawFest Passes are on sale and can be purchased online, by calling the MTC box office at 942-6537 or in-person at 174 Market Avenue. <http://www.bhtc.ca/> Directed by Margaret Groome, our contribution to this year’s Master Playwright Festival, Arms and the Man is one of Shaw's earliest, funniest and most-often performed comedies - and, in Shaw's own words, is "an onslaught on idealism." Shaw hilariously interweaves two satirical strands concerning those who see war as heroic and those who veil social relations in romance. The satire is focused through three of Shaw's best-loved characters: the buffoon Sergius who leads a madcap cavalry charge, the pragmatic Bluntschli who is so alarmed by the sordid reality of war that he only carries chocolate bullets and the romantic Raina who must choose between the two. Add a knowing, sassy maid and you have all the ingredients for ". . . a fantastic, psychological extravaganza, in which drama, farce and irony keep flashing past. . ." (William Archer). Arms and the Man is being directed by University of Manitoba Theatre Program Professor Dr. Margaret Groome. An specialist in modern British dram, Groome most recently directed our acclaimed Churchillfest entry, Cloud Nine, for the 2010 Master Playwright Festival. Performances at the Gas Station Arts Centre, 445B River Ave. at Osborne St. 7:00 pm January 20, 21, 23-28th 2:00pm Matinees on January 21, 28th, and 29th Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Students and Seniors, Shawfest passes Tickets can either be purchased at the door or in advance. For reservations and group discounts contact the 24hr Box Office at 474-6880. bhtc.ca

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Alumni Scholarship Night Tuesday March 15
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 14 Mar '11

14 Mar '11

Dear Friends and Colleagues, On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of our Black Hole Theatre production of Federico Garcia Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba. It struck me as particularly apt that this production strongly evoked potential female power and the ruthless restriction of it that was both particular to the period of the piece and, unfortunately, that is still resonant today. What is particularly admirable about Director Brenda Maclean’s production is that it finds the necessary and delicate balance between the heavily tragic and poetic tone and the too recognizable everyday lives of the individual women in the Bernarda Alba household. The audience is, therefore, able to both concretely identify with the plights of the characters and abstractly consider the overall oppression that makes the tragedy inevitable, indeed that makes it a tragedy of this repression itself. Our performance of The House of Bernarda Alba on Tuesday, March 15th at 7:00 PM will be in honour of Irene Anderson and Vic Cowie with a portion of the box office receipts going to support the scholarships in their respective names. We invite you to join us for this performance, one of which I am sure both Vic and Irene would have approved. Sincerely, Dr. Bill Kerr Theatre Program Coordinator Department of English, Film, and Theatre

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BHTC The House of Bernarda Alba Opens Tuesday
by theatreprog-friends＠lists.umanitoba.ca 04 Mar '11

04 Mar '11

The Black Hole Theatre Company Presents The House of Bernarda Alba By: Federico Garcia Lorca March 8th-12th, 15th-19th* at the Black Hole Theatre The Black Hole Theatre Company is wrapping up its 2010/2011 season with a Spanish based drama, The House of Bernarda Alba written by Federico Garcia Lorca. The House of Bernarda Alba is the story of a tyrannical, self righteous, and passionless mother, who rules her unmarried daughters with an iron rod, imposing on them an eight-year period of mourning after the death of their father. In an all female cast, Lorca’s characters are fuelled by an explosive desire to be free of their constraints, to experience their natural sexual energy, and the joy of living. The character of Adela, written to be a projection of Lorca himself, tries desperately to separate herself from the restraints of her life by secretly having an affair with a man; her words so powerfully illustrate this: “Leave me alone! Awake or asleep, it’s no affair of yours. I’ll do whatever I want with my body.” (Adela, The House of Bernarda Alba) The House of Bernarda Alba is a powerful and prophetic story of intolerance and its consequences. Federico Garcia Lorca’s (1898-1936) The House of Bernarda Alba is his last play. It was written the year he was killed, just two months before his execution. Lorca lived and wrote through the most troubling times of modern Spain; he is considered by the English-speaking world as the best-known and most frequently performed Spanish Dramatist of the Twentieth Century. Brenda McLean is very please to be directing The House of Bernarda Alba and directing at the Black Hole Theatre for the first time. She has had the opportunity to costume design numerous times including Headspace and Romance. She also teaches Introduction to Theatre for the program. Outside of the University, Brenda is Co-Artistic Leader of Theatre Incarnate (www.theatreincarnate.ca). Performances at the Black Hole Theatre, lower level of University College. *7:00 pm March 8th and 15th 8:00pm March 9th-12th, 16th-19th Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Students and Seniors Tickets can either be purchased at the door or in advance. For reservations and group discounts contact the 24hr Box Office at 474-6880. For interview requests please contact Erika Mann and Dana Smith, Publicists, at 474-7655 or by email: publicity(a)bhtc.ca www.bhtc.ca

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