Selected DW on the go

Duse
A one woman play about Eleonora Duse, the turn-of-the century legendary Italian actress.

A Night at the Moulin Rouge
An interactive play with decadent dance and sultry scenes that will heat up your night.

The F Dances
Sarah Porter presents three theatrical and quirky dance pieces, informed by clowns and contemporary dance.

As You Like It
A romantic comedy for the whole family by William Shakespeare.

Archives

Check out all of our past events!

Alianak Theatre Productions in association with
Centro Scuola E Cultura Italiana Columbus Centre/Villa Charities
presents the world premiere of

DUSE

Starring JENNIFER DALE, Directed by NICK MANCUSO

Alianak Theatre Productions in association with Centro Scuola E Cultura Italiana Columbus Centre/Villa Charitiesproudly presents the world premiere of Duse, a one-woman play featuring film and television star Jennifer Dale about Eleonora Duse, the turn-of-the-century legendary Italian actress who had a revolutionary impact on the art of acting. Gemini winner Nick Mancuso directs this memoir about the celebrated actress that previews June 2-3, opens Friday, June 4 runs to June 20 at Tarragon Theatre’s Extra Space. Duse is adapted by Ms. Dale and Mr. Mancuso from Ghigo De Chiara’s play, L’Ultima Notte Di Eleonora a Pittsburg.

Duse brings the life of ‘the greatest actress the world has ever known’ to Toronto audiences as Duse recounts her passionate memoirs alone in a hotel room in Pittsburgh as she prepares for what will be her final performance.

At the turn of the last century, Italian born actress Eleonora Duse (1858-1924) reigned as the divine light of the Italian stage. She was widely acknowledged as the first modern actor for her naturalistic stage portrayals, and revolutionized the art of acting in her time. Touring the world and at the height of her power and fame, the celebrated actress became the mercurial lover and muse to the notorious womanizer poet/playwright, Gabriele D’Annunzio. The union between the diva and the poet was intense, turbulent and fraught with emotional trauma, but, while creatively prolific, eventually ended.

The renowned actress inspired Anton Chekhov, popularized Henrik Ibsen, and spurred Stanislavski to create a new theory of acting based on her art and to invoke her name at every rehearsal. She be-friended Rainer Maria Rilke and inspired the young James Joyce, who kept a portrait of her on his desk. Chekhov said of her, “I’ve never seen anything like it. Looking at Duse, I realized why the Russian theatre is such a bore.” Charlie Chaplin called her “the finest thing I have seen on the stage.” Gloria Swanson and Lillian Gish watched her perform with adoring attention, John Barrymore with awe. Shaw said she “touches you straight on the very heart.”

When asked about her acting, Duse responded that, quite simply, it came from life. Except for one short film, Duse’s art has been lost. “Life is hard,” she said, “one must wound or be wounded.” Duse recounts the passionate memoirs of this sublime and controversial artist. On the last leg of a triumphant but exhaustive American tour, alone, in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, Duse prepares to face one more audience, before heading back home to Italy. As Duse weighs her heart, she will gather the strength and the courage for what will be her final performance. She will make it to the theatre to give that last show. But will she ever make it home?

Jennifer Dale is one of Canada’s most recognized stars. A multiple nominee for Genie and Gemini Awards and the recipient of the 2003 Earl Grey Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema, Dale currently hosts and co-produces ‘Actor’s Notes,’ a series for Bravo! She recently starred on CTV’s The Eleventh Hour and on CBC Radio’s Words & Music series in Dorothy Livesay/The Woman I Am. She began her stage career at the Stratford Festival and is thrilled to be returning to her theatrical roots.

Nick Mancuso is a veteran of both stage and screen, a Genie-award winning actor (for Ticket to Heaven) who has appeared in numerous feature films (over 60) and television shows (including his series Stingray for NBC). Although primarily known as an actor, he is also a writer and director and divides his time between Toronto and Los Angeles.

Set design is by Conrad Mancuso, set decoration and props is by George Stouros, costume design is by Anne Dixon, lighting design is by DroegeDesigns and sound design is by Joe Mancuso. Original music is composed and performed by Keir Brownstone with additional music by Igor Vrabac; the stage manager is Karen O’Brien.

Duse, starring Jennifer Dale, directed by Nick Mancuso, adapted by Jennifer Dale and Nick Mancuso based on a play by Ghigo De Chiara. Previews June 2-3, opens June 4 and runs to June 20 at the Tarragon Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Avenue. Runs Tues through Sat at 8pm; Sat and Sun at 2:30pm. Tickets: Tues-Thurs 8pm & Sat and Sun mats at 2:30pm: $21 (Sunday limited pay-what-you-can), Fri and Sat at 8pm $28. Previews $15.

FOR TICKETS, CALL 416-504-PLAY (7529) or online at www.torontoboxoffice.ca

- 30 -