A Downtown Eastside Romeo & Juliet
An original tragic-comedy inspired by the old tale of Romeo and Juliet and everyday life on our Downtown Eastside streets
April 17 – 20 & 24 - 27, 2008
Thursday to Saturday
Russian Hall (
Tickets $15 General / $10 Concession (+s/c)
Box Office: 604.689.0926 or www.firehallartscentre.ca For more information please call 604.254.6911
Written by Gina Bastone, with contributions by the artists, Mike Stack and Mr. William Shakespeare
Two households, both alike in dignity
In fair Vanccouver, where we lay our scene
Now listen. This is one hundred percent confidential.
I’m negotating with the City to buy the Carnegie Centre.
Artistic Director: Savannah Walling
Director, Mask Designer: Gina Bastone
Composer: Ya-wen V. Wang
Musical Director: Dorothy Dittrich
Costume Designer: Marina Szijarto
Stage Manager: Doug Vernon
Technical Director: Simon Garber
Producer: Terry Hunter
Performers: Gina Bastone, Grant Chancey, Yvon Chartrand, Wendy Chew, Paul Descarie, Dorothy Dittrich, Fred Galloway, Kuei-ming Lin, Elizabeth Murdoch, Muriel, Mike Richter, Jim Sands, Priscillia Mays Tait & Gena Thompson
“A delirium of pure joy and thought provoking madness –
profoundly revealing and irresistibly relevant”
Robin Livingstone, Carnegie Newsletter
Vancouver Moving Theatre has created an original new tragic-comedy with the help of a hot team of Jessie award winning artists and their Downtown Eastside community. We are very excited that the incomparable Gina Bastone has not only written the play, with contributions from the ensemble and artists, but is also taking on the roles of director and actor in the production. A Downtown Eastside Romeo & Juliet also features exquisite masks made by comedy marvel Bastone, with original music by Ya-wen V. Wang, musical direction by Dorothy Dittrich and costume magic by the community’s very own Marina Szijarto.
Featuring comedy and live music, this tragic-comedy portrays a community in upheaval, birds tumbling from their nests, and people falling in love in impossible situations. The inspiration for this show comes from everyday realities on the streets of the Downtown Eastside and by characters and situations from the old tale of Romeo and Juliet.
This production was a highlight of the 2007 DTES Heart of the City Festival where it was presented as a work-in-progress.
The closing date of the play coincides with the opening date of the Fourth Canadian Community Play Exchange Symposium (April 27-30). Hosted and produced by Vancouver Moving Theatre, this symposium features four days of talks, sessions, workshops and presentations by national, local and Downtown Eastside community engaged artists.
Vancouver Moving Theatre is also pleased to announce that Artistic Director Savannah Walling and Executive Director Terry Hunter are recipients of the 2008 British Columbia Community Achievement Award. They will be presented with this award on April 23rd at Government House in
Generously supported by Arts Partners in Creative Development, Hamber Foundation, Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation, the Canada Council Artists and Communities Fund, BC Arts Council, BC Gaming, City of Vancouver Office of Cultural Affairs, Vancouver Foundation, CTV and Georgia Straight.
Media Contact: Jodi Smith
Tel: 604-736-4939 Fax: 604-736-4439 email: jlsmgmt@lightspeed.ca
