THEATRE PREVIEW

DECEMBER 2019 | Volume 186

 

The Shoplifters, a Canadian comedy by Morris Panych, is touring throughout the Lower Mainland this winter.

The play follows Alma (Patti Allan), a career shoplifter who prefers the "five-finger discount" over any senior citizen's deal. When a grocery store theft with her anxious sidekick (Agnes Tong) goes awry, her elaborate life of petty crime is halted by an overzealous security guard (Raugi Yu) and his affable mentor (Dean Paul Gibson). With sharp-witted comic observations, Panych has expertly drawn a cast of misfit characters that will leave you rooting for all sides to come out on top.

Director and playwright Paynch says, "The Shoplifters is about small people with small lives—people who want something and will do anything to get it. I'm really fascinated with what's happening in the world right now, with people being left behind, and I wanted to write about that."

Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran notes, "One of my seminal Arts Club experiences growing up was seeing Morris Panych's shows. The Shoplifters is a funny and idiosyncratic script, with fantastic characters and rhythm. I am thrilled that Morris and his partner, Ken MacDonald—an incredible designer—are taking the play on tour. They have been hugely important in our company's history, and I am excited to share this show with a wider audience."

Panych is a Canadian actor, playwright, and director who has directed over 90 plays and written 30. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he works primarily in Vancouver and Toronto. He received his BFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and went on to study acting in London. His plays have been produced all over the world and translated into a dozen languages. Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards, including many Dora Mavor Moore awards in Toronto and Jessie Richardson Theatre awards in Vancouver for both acting and directing. His plays are mostly of the absurdist style, existentially reflecting on what it is to be alive.

STARRING
Patti Allan (Alma), Dean Paul Gibson (Otto), Agnes Tong (Phyllis), Raugi Yu (Dom)

CREATIVE TEAM
Morris Panych (Director/Playwright), Ken MacDonald (Set & Costume Designer), Ted Roberts (Tour Lighting Designer), Alan Brodie (Original Lighting Designer), Ace Martens (Sound Designer), Caryn Fehr (Stage Manager), Peter Jotkus (Assistant Stage Manager)

TOUR VENUES & DATES

NORTH VANCOUVER The BlueShore at CapU 604.990.7810	January 9
WEST VANCOUVER Kay Meek Arts Centre 604.981.6335	January 10 & 11
NEW WESTMINSTER Anvil Centre 604.521.5050	January 14
SURREY Surrey Arts Centre 604.501.5566	January 15–25
COQUITLAM Evergreen Cultural Centre 604.927.6555	January 28–February 1
MISSION Clarke Theatre 604.629.8849	February 2
MAPLE RIDGE The ACT Arts Centre 604.476.2787	February 6 & 7
BURNABY Shadbolt Centre for the Arts 604.205.3000	February 8 & 9

ABOUT THE ARTS CLUB

The Arts Club Theatre Company, founded in 1964, is Canada's largest not-for-profit urban theatre company. Led by Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran and Executive Director Peter Cathie White, it offers professional theatre at three venues—the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Granville Island Stage, and the Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre—as well as on tour throughout the province.

 

 

 

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