Just went through the SummerWorks guide today and am excited about the work and the programming. Michael and his team have transformed it.

It’s hard to believe that SummerWorks turns twenty this year. I look forward to the Festival every year. There was a time when I would see forty shows in 10 days…but that doesn’t seem humanly possible for me anymore.

Below are some of the shows that I will check out

If anyone wants to join me I have a free ticket on offer. Be my guest at the show. We can have a coffee or snack afterwards to talk about the show. Just email me at franco@theatrecentre.org and let me know which show you’re keen on seeing.

I Was Barbie @ Passe Muraille Backspace
Thursday, August 5th @ 4pm

Countries Shaped Like Stars @ The Theatre Centre
Monday, August 9th @ 5pm

The Hanging of Francoise Laurent @ Passe Muraille Backspace
Monday, August 9 @ 10pm

The Return of Corporal Mazenet @ The Theatre Centre
Tuesday, August 10th @ 7:30pm

Homegrown @ Passe Muraille Mainspace
Tuesday, August 10th @ 10:30pm

Post Eden @ Passe Muraille Mainspace
Wednesday, August 11th @ 10:30pm

Check out the online full program – click here.

P.S.

Showing in the Cafe at the front of The Theatre Centre:
IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT OUR FUTURE TOGETHER by Chris Dupuis
August 6, 7-9pm, August 7, 7-9pm, August 12, 7-9pm ,August 13, 7-9pm, August 14, 7-9pm
The performance lasts approximately 15 minutes per person. Audiences should email chris@chrisdupuis.com to schedule at time and date. PWYC.

Posted: July 30th, 2010 under Franco's Blog.
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We were lucky enough for the rain to hold off and the sun to not beat down too hard last weekend as people (and dogs) of all ages turned up to take a nap as part of Z’s BY THE C.

It was fantastic to see such a great turn out and so satisfying to see the usually ignored plot of land just off Queen Street West being enjoyed by the public.

It makes me realize how vital it is to take art out into the community, to directly engage. And how we must continue to thinking creatively about how we can engage with our urban surroundings.

Talks are underway to turn this green patch located on Lisgar Street into a fully-fledged park and as a space for temporary art exhibitions. I can’t wait.

Click here to view more photos of Z’s by the C.

Check this site out – http://creativetime.org/programs/archive/2010/keytothecity/– it’s a group based in New York City called Creative Time who have a mandate to create art in public.

Posted: July 21st, 2010 under Franco's Blog.
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I first encountered Pier Paolo Pasolini’s films when I was 24. I remember seeing Teorema (with Terrence Stamp) at Cinemateque Ontario and Mamma Roma (with the brilliant Anna Magnani) at the Royal Theatre on College Street. I became a huge fan of his work. I spent a year reading his poetry, his biography, watching his films … being moved by his genius.

His work resonates with me – it is about the poor working class, it is queer, Italian and highly critical of the Catholic Church & the bourgeoisie.

We screened a free showing of Mamma Roma at Cream Tangerine last Thursday. (Thank you to Coleen and Adam for organizing the night). About fifteen people showed up – in fact two people from Richmond Hill stumbled by the film while gallery hopping in the neighbourhood and stayed until the very end.

This is the third time I’ve seen the film and I always get emotional at the same spots. At the beginning when Magnani shouts at the wedding “sono libera” – “I’m free” or “I’m free to be myself”. At the final moments of the film when the crowds in the market run after the inconsolable Mamma Roma, who attempts to throw herself out the window. And when Pasolini, through her eyes, cuts to the landscape visible from her window – to a material image of Rome, that includes the dome of a cathedral, and realize that what she desired – a vision of wealth and social approbation that cannot make her ‘libera’.

If you have time – check this out:
- A group from the Netherlands with Director Ivo van Hove has created a stage play based on Pasolini’s Teorema. Check out this link. http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php/lcf-2010-teorema

- Cinemateque is RIGHT NOW showing the films of Pasolini. You should go down and check them out.
http://www.cinemathequeontario.ca/programme.aspx?programmeId=317

Lately, at The Theatre Centre, we’ve been in the process of cultivating donors who can give to our capital campaign. It has been a struggle to find people with influence or affluence that know anything about us.

For 31 years, The Theatre Centre has been supporting artists in church basements, legion halls, 2nd floor disco’s, autobody shops, creaky old houses – you get the picture. We have participated in the development of communities in the east end, downtown and most recently the west end. Artists ask me, can I set fires in your space? – I say sure; can I paint your whole theatre white? – I say sure, as long as you paint it back black; can I wrap your theatre in brown papier-mâché? – sure, great idea (David Duclos should take credit for that one). There is flexibility and freedom to making work in found spaces. The Theatre Centre has supported artists who present ideas that threaten or challenge us. How will our new home at the Carnegie Library change the art? How will the art change the Carnegie Library?

Posted: July 20th, 2010 under Franco's Blog.
Comments: 1

Eating and talking is like death and taxes – it’s inevitable. And for my Italian family gathering around a table with people you care about for a meal is really important. This past Sunday I went home for lunch and we had homemade ravioli, rapini, snow peas, bbq chicken, bbq ribs, shrimp, eggplant Parmesan, a salad, and tiramisu for dessert. That’s typical.

I recently read an article in Fuse Magazine about an event called FEAST held in Brooklyn. “FEAST is a recurring public dinner designed to use community-driven financial support to democratically fund new and emerging artmakers”.

Earlier I attended a Spill Feast as part of The Magnetic North Theatre Festival. It was great conversation, good food, and fantastic idea.

Conversation and creativity go hand in hand. We need to find more opportunities to connect over a good meal. It’s got me thinking.

Franco Boni, Artistic Director of The Theatre Centre

Posted: July 6th, 2010 under Franco's Blog.
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