THEATREWORKS Productions

Theatreworks Productions is proud to introduce the Stone Circle Project as our regular summer theatre activity. Created out of a need for more accessible public theatre and in an effort to connect with our communities, the idea for this division of the company is to produce outdoor PWYC theatre with a mandate focusing on ancient texts.

Our venue is a landscaped area consisting of a circle of giant stones surrounded by lush trees and a hilly terrain making it a natural theatre reminiscent of the Greek amphitheatres of ancient times. Located on Jackman Ave. just north of the Danforth it is the perfect place for people of all ages to pull up a chair or blanket and take in the stories that were the beginnings of theatre as we know it today. The Stone Circle Project will have its inaugural season opening in the summer of 2007 with our production of Ned Dicken's Creon, one of seven plays in his City of Wine cycle.

Over the next five years we will introduce youth programming which will utilize the outdoor space we perform in, endeavour to grow our summer season by extending the performance period building to a repertory season of two shows.

Background on Ned Dickens Play Creon:
City of Wine is the epic story of the citizens and city of Thebes - birthplace of wine and home of the god Bacchus.

City of Wine is Ned Dickens' theatrical cycle about the ancient Greek city of Thebes - best known as the home of Oedipus. The cycle comprises seven plays: Harmonia, Pentheus, Laius, Jocasta, Oedipus, Creon and Seven. Timely commentaries on leadership, they are plays that combine the traditions of classical theatre with the dynamism of contemporary writing.

Through these stories, Ned speaks about power in a way that places the common citizen front and centre in the debate about democracy, political decision-making and the individual. I can think of no better time for such themes and I can think of no better person than Ned to write about them. -Diana Belshaw, Humber College Ned's plays tell one of the most important stories in Greek mythology. Most of us are familiar with the tales of Troy and the Trojan War, and are well versed in the story of Oedipus. But few are aware of the rich and provocative story of Thebes that began with the founding of Thebes by Cadmus and Harmonia.
City of Wine follows the city from its beginnings to its collapse, tracing its development from community to society, to culture and concludes with the last gasp of Theban civilization. Ned's most exciting innovation is his rejection of the Greek chorus in favour of a representative community of Thebans. As we progress through the plays we repeatedly return to a tavern called The Heifer, where a collection of Theban citizens react to and argue about the actions of the city's famous rulers.

The story of Thebes is the story of how a community is founded, built, sustained and led. It is about leadership, and about how the citizens of a community live with that leadership. It is a set of stories vital to a nation like Canada that is constantly assessing what we should demand from our leaders. It is a story that is not consumed with war, but with how to maintain a civil society; it asks us to reconsider how we accept newcomers into our midst, and it forces us to look at the internal tensions that stretch the tolerance of every society.

- Nightswimming, www.nightswimmingtheatre.com

Director's Statement

In the story of Antigone you get politics, duplicity and sacrifice all wrapped into one of the finest of the great ancient Greek tragedies. In Sophocles, Antigone begins with Creon, the king of Thebes, forbidding the burial of his nephew who rebelled against the city. Antigone, his niece, disobeys this edict to give her brother a proper burial. It is an inspiring and powerful story of a young woman's direct action against a law that conflicts with her own moral values.
Our group has been meeting weekly for the past six months to read different translations of the play, including those by Seamus Heaney, Declan Donnellan and Jean Anouilh. In the end, Canadian playwright Ned Dickens' new version, entitled Creon, was chosen mainly for its portrayal of the community, crisp language and a clean story arc that seems unencumbered by a political agenda. We feel that Dickens' thoughtful writing, combining the traditions of classical theatre with the vitality of contemporary writing, is a perfect compliment to a modern festival dedicated to Greek culture, food and wine.
In this unique version of the Antigone story, a community of friends are enjoying a night out carousing and reminiscing at their local tavern. When the Stranger arrives and asks about the history of the town, he is led on a journey through the past, as the patrons of the tavern join together to re-enact the events that led to the downfall of their previous King Creon and his rebellious niece Antigone.
What we hope to convey with this production is a greater understanding of our culture and political landscape through this moving, remarkable tale of family, betrayal, love and death.

Vikki Anderson, May 2007

We look forward to bringing theatre back to its roots, performing in an outdoor environment and welcome you to come out and join the experience.

The Company - to view a larger image and bios click on a photo below

STONE CIRCLE PROJECT

©®™2007 THEATREWORKS Productions

THE MENAECHMI
by Plautus

COMING July 21 - August 09, 2009

All performances are Pay What You Can
For your comfort please bring a lawn chair or blanket

Location: 79 Jackman Ave,
just north off the Danforth or Chester Subway stop,
walk north to Jackman Avenue Public School.