The Scavenger’s Daughter thunders into Toronto January 15-27th
PARADIGM productions premieres The Scavenger’s Daughter, a testosterone infused fugazi of a play. At the edge of an unknown Empire - blood, sweat and the stench of rot permeate citizens mired in a never ending imperial war. This large scale independent production is part of three plays that make up award-winning playwright Susanna Fournier’s (Stencilboy and Other Portraits, LULU v. 7// aspects of a femme fatale, Patrick Conner Award Winner 2018) THE EMPIRE; The Philosopher’s Wife (Aki Studio December 2018), The Scavenger’s Daughter (Buddies in Bad Times January 2019), and Four Sisters (Luminato festival June 2019).
Dora nominated director ted witzel (LULU v.7 // aspects of a femme fatale/Buddies in Bad Times, Artistic Strategy/Stratford Festival) joins this female and queer led production accompanied into battle by a decorated design team, comprising of Scenographer and Triga Creative member Michelle Tracey (Hamlet/Julius Caesar/Canadian Stage, Sisters/Soulpepper), Sound Design by Ben McCarthy (Communist Manifesto for Children/Rhubarb Festival, Prince Shame/blood sample) and projection design by Michael F Bergmann (Crossing Borders and 291/Parodos Festival, He Left Quietly/Toronto SummerWorks, Best Production Award).
As the Empire expands its dominion further to the sea, we find ourselves in the midst of a muck filled army camp where soldiers Jack, played by Josh Johnston (Armstrong’s War/Theatre Kingston, Birmingham Conservatory/Stratford Festival), and Ash, Conor Wylie (Back Away Slowly/Theatre Replacement, eating the game/Hong Kong Exile), cavort with sanity as Jack approaches the end of his military term and Ash solidifies his rep as the camp dealer. Camp Sergeant, Webb, played by Carlos Gonzalez-Vio (Kiss/ARC/Theatre Smash/Canadian Stage, Blood Wedding/Modern Times/Aluna Theatre), attempts to maintain order while the Camp Cook, played by Christopher Stanton (Dissidents/ARC, Possible Worlds/Stratford Festival) tries in vain to keep the soldiers on a diet of ‘healthy meat’. As the camp descends into aggressive, opioid withdrawal, Sarah, played by Samantha Brown (Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth/Magnus Theatre, Ipperwash/Native Earth Performing Arts) the daughter of the local Madam, strains to keep her body and her heart armoured from the blowback.
The Scavenger’s Daughter occupies Buddies in Bad Times, a theatre in tension with its own history, as the EMPIRE is in tension with ours, rated R for “locker talk”, injectable substances, dark comedy, shitty boyfriends, nightmares, famine, sexual content, guns, depictions of neo-liberal warfare in the service of imperial capitalism, and exploding toxic ideas of what it means to be a man, a nation, and a citizen.
“The Empire is a theatrical universe you can access through many portals,” says producer Alison Wong (Are We Not Horses/Fun Palace Radio Variety Show/Small Wooden Shoe, Brotherhood: The Hip Hopera/b current), “at the core of it are these stories that Susanna has weaved into an epic narrative for the stage. Each story is complete on its own, but you’ll want to experience all three to learn the secrets within.”
In addition to the live experience, The Scavenger’s Daughter is also available across Canada and internationally online as free, serial podcasts released through The Empire website. Follow the Empire’s Graphic Story, the prequel to our tale, on our instagram account, created by Sam Hudecki (storyboard artist for films Enemy, Arrival, Bladerunner 2049), and Susanna Fournier.
This large scale independent production is Part of three plays that make up THE EMPIRE; Coming Soon: Four Sisters (Luminato festival June 2019). Previously: The Philosopher’s Wife (Aki Studio December 2018)
The Scavenger’s Daughter
by Susanna Fournier
January 15-27, 2019 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
12 Alexander Street
Previews January 15 & 16 // 8:00 PM
Opening Night Thursday, January 17 // 8:00 PM
Tuesday-Saturday// 8:00 PM Saturday & Sunday// 2:30 PM
TICKET PRICES
REGULAR
Previews $20
All Other Shows $35
UNDER 30 / SENIOR / ARTS WORKER
Previews $20
All Other Shows $25
PAY WHAT YOU CAN (PWYC) available Saturday & Sunday Matinees
Wheelchair accessible venue
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.empiretrilogy.com
The Scavenger’s Daughter is Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts New Chapter Program
Media Contact Claire Burns at paradigmproductionstheatre@gmail.com