Don Quixote
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January 16, 2008 We Dreamed the Possible Dream
Axis Theatre Company “In a place at La Mancha, which name I do not want to remember, not very long ago lived a noble, one of those nobles who keep a lance in the lance-rack, an ancient shield, a skinny old horse, and a fast greyhound.” Don Quijote de la Mancha, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra A lance, a horse, a windmill and two strange men - a perfect beginning for a team of playwrights known for looking at things with an unconventional eye. The team of Colin Heath and Peter Anderson will write and workshop a mainstage version of Don Quixote featuring Axis’ trademark physical theatre qualities of mime, mask, puppetry, dance, acrobatics and aerial work - stretching the boundaries of live theatre. This new work will adapt the novel Don Quixote by Cervantes into a new physical theatre/mask piece by uniting a unique group of artists that excel in the area of physical theatre and are currently at the peak of their artistic creativity. The writing team of Peter Anderson and Colin Heath, will not only write the new play but star as Don Quixote de la Mancha and Sancho Panza. Original masks and puppets will be designed and built by Melody Anderson, and notable composer Bob Buckley will create the soundscape. The play will be directed by Roy Surette, Artistic and Executive Director of Centaur Theatre joined with physical staging Dramaturge, Wayne Specht, Artistic Director of Axis Theatre Co., to complete the talented group. A number of the creative team was key to the artistic success of the world renowned productions of The Number 14 and Flying Blind. Why Don Quixote? Because the story is as relevant today as it was when first written 400 years ago. Published in two volumes a decade apart, Don Quixote is the most influential work of literature to emerge from the Spanish Golden Age and perhaps the entire Spanish literary canon. As a founding work of modern Western literature, it regularly appears at or near the top of lists of the greatest works of fiction ever published. This is largely due to its universal appeal - it speaks to the essence of the human spirit and celebrates originality and the right to be different. While the play will be comedic, it will have darker tones as is appropriate for a social satire. “We plan to produce a world class play that will be celebrated in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia as well as nationally and internationally in 2009,” stated Wayne Specht. “We are extremely grateful to Arts Partners in Creative Development (www.artspartners.ca) for providing us this opportunity to bring together these collaborators who have meant so much to Axis Theatre.” -30- Contact: Kent Martin, General
Manager, Axis Theatre Company
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