TORONTO, July 14, 2005 - Necessary Angel Theatre Company is thrilled to report that its production of Half Life by John Mighton will be going on a month-long, two-city tour to Scotland in October 2005.
Half Life was nominated for six Dora Mavor Moore Awards: Outstanding New Play (John Mighton); Outstanding Production of a Play; Outstanding Direction of a Play (Daniel Brooks); Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role (Eric Peterson); Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role (Carolyn Heatherington); and Outstanding Performance in a Feature Role (Barbara Gordon). It won Outstanding New Play.
One of the most critically acclaimed shows of 2004-05, Half Life premiered at the Tarragon Theatre with a sold-out run, creating considerable excitement and wowing critics and audiences alike. Half Life spent the spring touring to some of the most prestigious theatre festivals in North America including Magnetic North (Ottawa), Théâtres d'Ailleurs in Quebec City, and Festival de théâtre des Amériques in Montreal where it was regarded as one of the hits of the festival. Again, audiences and critics alike were unanimous in their enthusiastic and wholehearted praise.
Half Life will be playing at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow, October 12 - 22, 2005 and The Perth Theatre (Horsecross Arts Centre) in Perth October 26 – November 5, 2005. The tour is generously supported in part by the Geneen family, in loving memory of Pearl Geneen.
HALF LIFE by John Mighton
What shines through when memory fades away?
Clara and Patrick meet in a nursing home for veterans and their families. They begin to fall in love, thinking they are rekindling an old flame. Have they ever met before? As Clara and Patrick's middle-aged children watch their faltering parents, the older couple rediscovers beauty and love in the twilight of their lives.
Directed by Necessary Angel Theatre Company's Artistic Director, Daniel Brooks, and featuring Laura de Carteret (reprising her role of Anna), Barbara Gordon (reprising her role of Agnes), Carolyn Hetherington (reprising her role of Clare) and Maggie Huculak (reprising her role of Tammy). Les Carlson takes over the role of Patrick (from Eric Peterson), David Jansen takes over the role of Donald (from Diego Matamoros) and Robert Persichini takes over the role of Reverend (from Randy Hughson). The set and costumes are designed by Dany Lyne , the lighting design is by Andrea Lundy and the sound design by Richard Feren . Crystal Salverda is the stage manager and Kathryn Porter the assistant stage manager.
“an unforgettable experience that is a gain, in every sense of the word,
for the Canadian dramatic canon”
The Globe and Mail
“Finely observed…an elegantly flowing production”
Ottawa Citizen
“This is Mighton's first play in nine years and it was worth the wait… It's not hard to predict that this lovely elegy to the joys and heartaches of old age will be snapped up by theatres everywhere”
The Toronto Star
“Mighton’s writing is luminous and tactful…a beauty in every department”
The National Post
“If you like theatre, don’t miss it. And that goes double if you hate it, because Half Life is that all too infrequent stage show capable of winning new converts for the fragile art of live drama”
Montreal Gazette
“Simply one of the finest new works to be premiered
in Toronto for a
long, long time ”
Eye Weekly
