Brothel #9 World Premiere at Toronto's Factory Theatre Feb 26 - Mar 27

From a media release:

Anusree Roy's Brothel #9 has world premiere February 26 - March 27, 2011 at Factory Theatre

ANUSREE ROY’S BROTHEL #9 IS FEARLESS

Toronto, ON –  “Brothel #9 is Anusree Roy’s most mature and provocative work to date,” says Factory Theatre Artistic Director Ken Gass, “The story of Rekha, a young South Asian woman who travels from her village to Calcutta to take a job making light bulbs only to discover she has been sold to a brothel is powerful and riveting drama. Factory Theatre commissioned Brothel #9 and we are thrilled to work with Roy in encouraging her to expand the scale of her playwriting endeavors.” The TD Bank Financial Group sponsors the world premiere of Brothel #9, previewing February 26 – March 2, opening on March 3, and closing March 27, 2011.

Factory Theatre Associate Artist Nigel Shawn Williams (The Bewitched, York University; Shakespeare’s Dog, Alberta Theatre Projects, Blacks Don’t Bowl, Black Theatre Workshop; The Monument, Obsidian Theatre) directs Brothel #9.  A Dora Mavor Moore Award-winner for acting (1995 &1996) and directing (2006), Williams is known for his emotional strength in both capacities. In Nigel’s own words, “In collaboration with Anusree and the ensemble at Factory, we are unveiling a story about human liberty in the underbelly of contemporary Calcutta, providing snapshots of lives that most Canadians never get to see.”

Anusree Roy (Roshni and Letters to my Grandma, Theatre Passe Muraille; 9 Parts Desire, Seventh Stage) performs in Brothel #9 as Jamuna, Pamela Sinha (Home Free, SummerWorks; Possible Worlds, Neptune Theatre and Theatre Passe Muraille) as Rehka, Sanjay Talwar (Peter Pan and Dangerous Liaisons, Stratford Festival; Bombay Black, Cahoots/Arts Club; Helen’s Necklace, Tarragon and Pi Theatre) as Salaudin and Ash Knight (Romeo and Juliet, Old Rep Theatre - Birmingham; Same Time, Next Year, Blue Heron – NYC; ) as Birbal. The set and costume design is by Shawn Kerwin, lighting design is by Bonnie Beecher, and sound design is by John Gzowski. Brothel # 9 is stage managed by Joanna Barrotta with apprentice stage manager Neha Ross.

Due to its subject matter, Brothel #9 is not recommended for audiences under the age of 14 years.
• Shows February 26 to March 27 are Tuesday to Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. (except for the Sunday, February 27, 7 p.m. preview).
• Tickets range from $15 - $40.
• Three-play subscription packages are available for $100.
• The box office is open for in-person/phone sales (416 504 9971), Tuesday to Saturday, 1 – 8 p.m., and Sunday at 12 noon – 4 p.m.;
• Online sales are available 24 hours a day at www.factorytheatre.ca

Images:
• Anusree Roy
• Pamela Sinha

For the remainder of Factory’s 2010/2011 season, the Performance Spring Festival runs April 2 – 24, featuring the Human Cargo production of Night as headliner. Adam Pettle’s Zadie’s Shoes runs April 30 to June 5.

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