Theatre St. Thomas bring ‘epic theatre’ experience to the Black Box with A Life of Galileo, Nov. 21 – 24.
Padua. 1609. Galileo Galilei, a part-time professor and researcher of mathematics and philosophy has invented a new instrument that allows him to view the universe in greater detail and to pay his rent where his teaching stipend falls short. Through his telescope, he confirms that the earth and the planets revolve around the sun while attracting the interest and ire of a Catholic Church afraid of losing its grip on the faithful masses. Says TST artistic producer Dr. Robin C. Whittaker, “With Bertolt Brecht’s A Life of Galileo, TST offers Fredericton one of the twentieth-century’s greatest observations on the challenges that free thought and scientific inquiry pose to unchecked power and popular belief. Not since Brecht’s time have these forces been so pressing as they are today.” This model example of “Epic Theatre” was written by Brecht in the years before and after World War II, begun when he hid from Nazi authority and then revised as he reflected on its consequences before fleeing American McCarthyism and the “red scare” in 1947.
Thrillingly staged using Brecht’s Epic Theatre effects in which the means of production and human labour are exposed throughout the performance, audiences will see ‘behind-the-scenes’ while observing the play and weighing the arguments to draw conclusions for themselves.
“With A Life of Galileo, TST offers New Brunswick one of the twentieth-century’s greatest observations on the challenges that free thought and scientific inquiry pose to unchecked power and belief. Not since Brecht’s time have these forces been so pressing,” said director Dr. Robin C. Whittaker
This model example of Epic Theatre was written by Brecht in the years before and after WWII, begun as he escaped Nazi authority and revised as he reflected on its consequences before fleeing American McCarthyism and the “red scare” in 1947.
TST’s production of A Life Of Galileo is presented at STU in conjunction with The Galileo Project—a series of events in Fall 2018 focused on the themes of science, knowledge, and power—convened by Dr. Jane Jenkins (Science & Technology Studies), Dr. Robin Vose (History), and Dr. Robin C. Whittaker (English and Drama).
Theatre St. Thomas and The Galileo Project commemorate the 75th anniversary of the world premiere of Brecht’s Leben des Galilei at the Zürich Schauspielhaus on September 9, 1943.
A Life of Galileo | Nov. 21-24 | Black Box Theatre, STU | View Event
Cast: Bella Baldin, Brenna Gauthier, Caitlyn Charles, Chandler Gard, Clara Lucena, Colin Gillis, Dylan Sealy, Eliza Wolfe, Elizabeth John, Emma Dufour, Grace Victor, Gregory Robinson, Jason McIntyre, John Harley, Katie Hanson, MacKenzie Currie, Megan Murphy, Nate Telman, Neomi Iancu Haliva, Nick Ivory, Nolan Goguen, Peter Boyce, Raine O’Connor, Sage Chisholm, Silas McDonald, Telina Debly, Thomas Woolsey, and Wilson Kennedy-Mills.
Director and Co-Set Designer: Dr. Robin C. Whittaker. Lights, Sound, and Co-Set Designer: Chris Saad. Scenic and Properties Artist: Laura-Beth Bird. Costume Designer: Lynn Addleman. Music Composers: Nick Ivory and Dylan Sealy. Stage Manager: Wei Qing Tan. Assistant Stage Managers: Beatriz Cordeiro, Sydney Hallett, Mallory Kelly, Naomi McGowan, and Tristan Tozer. Sound and Lighting Operator: Patricia Saad. Poster and Program Designer: Kirsten Stackhouse.
A Theatre St. Thomas Release
