THE RED QUEEN EFFECT
Original Canadian Collective Creation
Next Stage Festival, January 7-17 2010
2010 Dora award nomination for Outstanding Costume Design for Michelle Bailey
Directed by Kelly Straughan / Co-Choreographed by Monica Dotter and Melissa-Jane Shaw
Featuring: Monica Dotter, Ted Hallet, Aurora Brown, Dylan Smith, Melissa-Jane Shaw and Nicholas Campbell/ Ensemble: Joel Benson, Jason Chellew, Ben Graham, David Lopez, Christopher Wilson, Ryan Wilson
On one side of the looking glass: Crown Assets Corporate Fund. On the other: an absurd and grotesque game, where it takes all the running you can do to stay in the same place. Alice wants to get ahead, but what is she willing to do to get there?
Using ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ as inspiration, The Red Queen Effect was collectively created through theatre interviews, improvisation, physical theatre and dance. The Red Queen Effect offers an opportunity to peer through the corporate looking glass at the gender power dynamics that exist in a world ruled by the bottom line.
REVIEWS
“This one is guaranteed to blow your mind on a variety of levels… breezy pace and smart, sassy cast.” – The Toronto Star
“Excellent, stylistic direction from Kelly Straughan.” – Globe and Mail
“Straughan and ensemble have struck gold with an idea for a modern take on Lewis Caroll’s classic.” – Toronto Sun
“NNNN – This ensemble-crafted comic critique of corporate life… cleverly points out social contradictions.” – NOW Magazine
“Four stars! Seventh Stage’s highly inventive, large cast piece combines verbal and physical theatre to stunning effect.” – eye weekly
“Talented performers, stark visuals, fun dance elements, and clever, obfuscating dialogue.” – Torontoist.com
