The Montreal Mirror - Artsweek - March 26

New theatre
company gets active

BRINGING THE ELDERLY TO OUR FUTURE:
Patrick Charron and Joanne Sarazen in Drag on Jaded

Another month, another new company—haven’t folks heard that English-language theatre is supposed to be dead in this city?

Montreal actor/writer Joseph Bembridge has assembled a dozen like-minded souls to form the Carney Collective in order to create, “Edgy work for theatre and non-theatre people who are young and cool, like all of us.”

An impressive 14 projects are already planned, beginning with Drag on Jaded by Ryan Hurl, which plays nightly at 8 p.m. until Saturday, March 28 at lab.synthèse (435 Beaubien W., #200).

In the play, Eddy, an old man on his last legs, meets Lucy, a university student. The pair try to find a bridge across cultural and generational gaps to form a friendship. “I think everybody working on the project was affected by it,” Bembridge says. “In our culture, we don’t acknowledge the elderly as being a part of our future.”

New works with socially relevant themes are what counts for the group. “Everybody has to be active—we find theatre as our activation.” Bembridge says, “We all go through that transition when we finish school and wonder, ‘Now what are we doing?’ This is a way to keep us together in the city and working.”

by NEIL BOYCE

http://www.montrealmirror.com/2009/032609/artsweek.html

The First Show - March 24

The first Carney Collective production

March 24 to 28
8 pm

lab synthese
Loft 200
435 Beaubien Ouest

Tickets $12
514-578-8882


Edward Morgan is counting the minutes. No longer youthful and independent, he has come to rely on the care of others. Lucy is counting the minutes. Youthful and independent, she has come to rely on achievement and accomplishment. When Edward and Lucy meet, they begin to count on each other, and find that they are both trying to escape the same thing.

Written by Ryan Hurl
A graduate of Concordia's Major in Theatre and a recipient of the Kit Brennan Play Writing Award, Ryan was part of the development of Compass Points: Emerging Artist Symposium at the Magnetic North Theatre Festival. Recently, in his native Calgary, he has produced “The Recession of Evelyn Grey” and apprenticed at Alberta Theatre Projects.

Directed by Emily Quaile
Emily Quaile is a director, performer and writer for the stage. Her recent directing credits include "Crave" by Sarah Kane, "The Zahra Kazemi Story" by Coleen Macpherson and Edward Albee's "The Zoo Story". She is currently writing a play based on the stories found on Craigslist that will be produced by The Carney Collective next fall.

Joseph Bembridge, Artistic Producer
As Artistic Producer of the Carney Collective, Joseph is thrilled to see life brought to this wonderful text and the production of a theatre experience for the senses. Joseph and The Carnies look forward to presenting “Tawillager”, Joseph’s solo show, and the next of many artistic projects for The Collective.

Designed by Danielle Jakubiak
Since completing her Masters in Ethonomusicology and attending the National Theatre School in Montreal, Danielle has been enjoying the challenge of working with various companies throughout the world. She is very excited to be working with some of her favourite theatre people on Drag on Jaded.

Anastasia Schnieder
Anastasia is currently in her second year of Design for the Theatre at Concordia University. Before that she completed her DEC in Illustration & Design at Dawson College. She looks forward to meeting the thriving art community of Montreal.

Stage Managed by Cam McKinnon
Cameron is in his 3rd year at Concordia University, specializing in Theatre Performance. He recently appeared in Moliere's “The Bourgeois Gentleman” at Concordia last December. He is happy to be part of the Carney Collective's premier play “Drag on Jaded”, and would like to thank everyone for their support.

Performed by

Patrick Charron as Edward Morgan
Actor, producer and writer, Patrick was co-founder of The Acting Project and is the Director of Marketing & Development for Imago Theatre. Last seen as Father Hayes in Tableau D'Hôte's recent production of Lion in the Streets, Patrick's return to the stage has been marked by the portrayal of the elderly and disturbed; curious...

Joanne Sarazen as Lucy
Joanne Sarazen is a recent graduate of Concordia’s Theatre Performance program. Recent productions include “Titanica: The Great Battle Gown” directed by Brendan Healy and “Provicial Anecdotes” directed by Alexandre Marine at Concordia University, as well as Tableau D'Hôte's productions of “Seven Storys” and “Lion in the Streets”.

Chris Rayment
Chris is a third year Major in Theatre at Concordia University. Recent credits include: John and Jamie's Flies/While Isabelle Bleeds/Kite Maker's Blues, director, (Concordia 2009); Post-Modern Demonology and Circus, puppeteer/performer (Bread and Puppet, 2008); Provincial Anecdotes, assistant costume designer (Concordia 2008); Ubu Roi, puppeteer/performer (Concordia 2008).

Catherine Lemieux
A proud native of Montreal, Catherine graduated from Dawson College's Professional Theatre Program (1998), co-founded a theatre company (1999). Cat was most recently seen as Sue in Tableau d'Hôtes' “Lion in the Streets”. She is honoured to be part this premier production! Thanks to Sam & Chip for their support.