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Half Life - Feb 25, 2008 | Macbeth - Feb 6, 2008 | Beauty and the Beast - Jan 15, 2008 | VIMY - Oct 16, 2007
Noises Off - Sept 13, 2007

Maclab Enterprises Students Club News Archive

Maclab Enterprises

February 25, 2008

Half Life

Written by John Mighton
Directed by Daniel Brooks

Hello Students Club Members,

Wrapping up our three-shows in-a-row two months of mayhem is John Mighton’s Half Life. The story follows an elderly couple who meet in a retirement home. As they come to know one another, they suspect that they’ve met previously. The play, though, is as much their story as it is that of their 40-something children, who in turn get to know one another as they each visit their elderly parent. The children have different opinions about their parents’ emotionally-charged and physical relationship. Half Life asks the question, “Does passion come with a best-before date?”

This play was written by John Mighton and is directed by Daniel Brooks, both of whom have won the $100,000 Siminovitch prize for drama. As well, both Brooks and Mighton found their way to playmaking in unconventional and circuitous fashions. Mighton studied philosophy and mathematics at school, and still teaches at the U of T in the mathematics department along with running a program for gifted teen mathematicians. Brooks was also into math and sciences before venturing into performing, directing, and playwriting.

Following is the Students Club agenda for Half Life:

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TIMES HAVE BEEN PUSHED BACK HALF AN HOUR

6 PM — Food

For the production of Half Life we will be meeting:

Food is included in your package. Pop and water will be available for $1.
Remember to bring loonies as we do not keep a lot of change on hand.

6:30 PM — Pre-show Presentation

Actor/Writer/Director — Doing it all on the Canadian Scene

Our special guest for the next round of SC will be Sheldon Elter, an actor, writer, singer, and stand-up comedian. Sheldon will talk to us about what it means to be a young artist doing all those things simultaneously in Canada, and how sometimes that’s the best way to make a career for yourself in this country.

See the Half Life show page for more information.

7:30 PM — The Performance

Up to the Shoctor Theatre to see the show. Run time is approximately ninety minutes. Please note that there is no intermission for this show.

After the Performance — TALK BACK

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The Production Team

 

CAST in alphabetical order

Richard Clarkin Donald
Laura de Carteret Anna
Barbara Gordon Agnes / First Scientist / Diana
Carolyn Hetherington Clara
Maggie Huculak Tammy/Second Scientist
Robert Persichini Reverend Hill
Eric Peterson Patrick
   

CREW

  
Daniel Brooks Director
Dany Lyne Set & Costume Design
Andrea Lundy Lighting Design
Richard Feren Sound & Music
Anthony Black Assistant Director
Derek Bruce Technical Director
Jolene Antle Head of Wardrobe
Crystal Salverda Stage Manager
Kate Porter Assistant Stage Manager

Half Life is approximately ninety minutes with no intermission.
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BEHIND THE SCENES

This is a touring production that was last seen in Montreal at Centaur Theatre. It stars Eric Peterson, who you may also be familiar with from TV's Corner Gas.

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HOW TO FIND THE PLAYS

NOISES OFF — This play was made into a movie, which can be rented from most video outlets. Scripts are available through Samuel French (Canada) Ltd. in Toronto; phone 416.363.3536.

VIMY — This is an unpublished play and not available for circulation. The best introduction to the show would be to read historical accounts of World War I, specifically the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST — You can rent the film pretty much wherever films are rented.

MACBETH — If you can’t find it in the library, you can contact Samuel French (Canada) Ltd. in Toronto; phone 416.363.3536.

HALF LIFE — If you can't find it in the library, you can contact Playwrights Canada Press in Toronto; phone 416.703.0013.

FIRE — This play is available through Playwrights Guild of Canada in Toronto; phone 416.703.0201.

Greenwoods’ Bookshoppe and Audrey’s Books are very helpful with special orders. Theatrebooks (in Toronto) is also very knowledgeable. They have a toll-free number: 1.800.361.3414.

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