New season
A preview of New Stages Theatre’s 2015-16 season.
When actor Mark Wallace moved to Peterborough from Toronto five years ago, he didn’t expect to see high-end professional theatre in his new city.
But then he saw a show from New Stages Theatre Company and was impressed. There were “giants” of film and stage from Toronto, performing in Peterborough.
Not only that but the tickets were $20, far less than he’d expect to pay in a bigger city.
“You could go to Toronto and see something similar – but not for this price,” he said.
Wallace is now the chairman of the board for New Stages.
For 20 years now, the company has been bringing professional actors to town to perform contemporary plays.
Artistic director Randy Read chooses challenging new pieces to present.
“He (Read) puts on some of the best plays he’s seen in Toronto and New York City,” Wallace said.
This 20th anniversary features a cabaret night, a main production and a series of three staged readings, all at Market Hall.
Staged readings are pareddown productions where actors perform from a script. These popular performances are a bit like hearing a radio drama, except they’re live.
They’re usually held at the Nexicom Lounge at Showplace Peterborough, which holds anywhere from 80 to 100 people.
But Wallace says they’re now so popular they’re moving to Market Hall, where about 200 or 225 people can attend.
Also new this year: You can buy season’s tickets online on the New Stages website.
It’s the first time they are offering online ticket sales, and also the first time you can buy tickets for all five shows for $100.
The main-stage show for this season will be The Pitmen Painters, a play about a real-life group of British coal miners who take up painting and become art-world sensations.
The play is by Lee Hall, the author of Billy Elliott, and was a Broadway hit. It will be presented over several days in April.
Wallace says this play is very funny. Other plays this season cover some darker themes, such as bullying and grief. But he doesn’t think it will turn anyone off.
“We have an intelligent crowd – and they’re craving that,” he said. “Bring it.”
New Stages Theatre Company is launching its 20th anniversary season, later this month. All shows in 2015-16 will take place at Market Hall. Those who buy a subscription can see the entire season of five shows for $100. Here are more details: Sunday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m.: This, by Melissa James Gibson Four old college friends gather at a party and face their demons. (This is a staged reading, meaning it’s a pared-down show: actors read from a script. Think radio drama – but performed live.)
Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.: Cabaret Night For one night only, some of Canada’s most talented performers show up in Peterborough for a night of cabaret and song. Hosted by noted cabaret artist Sharron Matthews.
Sunday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.: Mothers & Sons, by Terrence McNally Years after her son’s death, a still-furious mother visits her late son’s partner – now married with a son of his own. (Staged reading.)
April 8, 9, 13, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. (matinee Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m.): The Pitmen Painters, by Lee Hall The author of Billy Elliott tells the true story of a group of British coal miners in 1934 who take up painting as a hobby and become art-world sensations.
Sunday, June 12, 2016, 7:30 p.m.: Late Company, by Jordan Tannahill After a bullied boy dies, his parents invite the bully and his parents over for dinner. (Staged reading.)
For tickets: To buy a subscription for all five shows, visit www.newstages.ca. The subscription is available for purchase online. (Cost: $100). To buy tickets to individual shows, visit www.markethall.org (Cost: $20).