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Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells): Episode 4 – the Interview

In this bonus episode, we interview the playwright behind Lo (Or Dear Mr. Wells), Rose Napoli.

Rose talks about her inspiration for her play, including Vladimir Nabokov’s book Lolita, and how she uses elements of her life to inform her writing. As a former teacher in a high school in Windsor, Rose had the unique perspective of being a young teacher to students who were only a few years her junior. When a scandal rocked the school where she was teaching, the kernel of an idea for her play was born.

Interviewed by Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley of Expect Theatre.

Lo (or Dear Mr.Wells): Episode 3

Laura, a 15 year-old school girl, is in an inappropriate relationship with her English teacher, Mr. Wells. Laura thinks she is in love, but he’s in a complicated marriage he can’t leave. Mr. Wells promises they have a future together and isn’t just in it for the sex. In this concluding episode of the play, things ignite when his wife calls during the couple’s secret night of passion in a rented hotel room.

Featuring Vivien Endicott-Douglas and David Jansen. The original workshop production was directed by Andrea Donaldson. Written by Rose Napoli.
Produced by Chris Tolley and Laura Mullin.

Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells): Episode 2

When English teacher Mr. Wells invites fifteen-year-old Laura to join the Creative Writing Club after school, she quickly realizes she is the club’s only member. He tells her she’s a talented writer and wants to nurture her gift. She wants him to not just teach her, but express his artistic side. But things start to heat up when Laura prys for information about his private life. Why didn’t he mention he has a wife?

Featuring Vivien Endicott-Douglas and David Jansen. The original workshop production was directed by Andrea Donaldson. Written by Role Napoli. 
Produced by Chris Tolley and Laura Mullin.

 

Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells): Episode 1

It was ten years ago that Laura was Alan Wells’ student at Corpus Christi High School. She was uncharacteristically intelligent for fifteen years old – perceptive and vulnerable – dream student for a flailing English teacher. Years later, all that remains is the dust of controversy that surrounds their relationship.  Now, at twenty-five years old, Laura has written her first book. She’s called it ‘Dear Mr. Wells’ and Alan is the first person she wants to read it.

Told through the lens of a young woman in retrospect, Lo explores how in the same breath, a relationship can both save and sink us.

Featuring Vivien Endicott-Douglas and David Jansen. The original workshop production was directed by Andrea Donaldson. Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) is written by Rose Napoli.

Rose is a Toronto-based playwright, actress, and producer. Her first play, Oregano, was shortlisted for the Tarragon Emerging Playwright’s Competition and premiered at the Storefront Theatre enjoying sold-out houses and critical acclaim. Her plays include: Ten Creative Ways to Dispose of your Cremains, Lo (Or Dear Mr Wells), and SHREW (A Big Fat Italian Comedy Inspired by William Shakespeare). She has taken part in Nightwood Theatre’s Write from the Hipprogram and the Playwright’s Unit with the Thousand Islands Playhouse. Coming up, Rose will be developing her short play, A Death and the Marias, into a full-length piece with the Playwright’s Unit at the Tarragon Theatre. As an actress, Rose is a two-time participant in the Banff/Citadel Professional Theatre Program and has worked in theatres across the country. Currently, she is playing the title role in The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh at Roseneath Theatre.

Produced by Chris Tolley and Laura Mullin.

Quiver: Episode 4 – The Interview

In our final episode of Quiver we interview playwright, librettist and actor, Anna Chatterton. 

Anna is a playwright in residence at the Tarragon Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, and the National Theatre School of Canada. In our conversation, she discusses her work in opera, devising theatre with her company Independent Aunties, and the process she undertook to create her solo play QuiverAnna performs Quiver in front a microphone, creating and controlling an aural world for these three family members struggling to keep up. Music design is by Mike Rinaldi, and direction of the stage play was by Andrea Donaldson.

Quiver: Episode 3

The conclusion to Anna Chatterton’s Quiver.

Bea is having second thoughts about dating an older guy, Sheila realizes she hasn’t been home in a month, and Maddie is home alone on her birthday. 

This show is performed by Anna Chatterton in front a microphone, creating and controlling an aural world for these three family members struggling to keep up.

Quiver is a solo show written and performed by Anna Chatterton. Sound Design by Michael Rinaldi.

Quiver: Episode 2

Dive into Episode 2 of Quiver, the solo show by Anna Chatteron.

Maddie’s sweet sixteen sister, Beatrice, is dating someone she shouldn’t. Their brassy single mom, Sheila, makes up with her ex-boyfriend again. So fourteen-year-old Maddie is left to fend for herself with nothing but her bow and arrow.

Quiver is a solo show written and performed by Anna Chatterton. Sound Design by Michael Rinaldi. 

Quiver: Episode 1

Maddie’s sweet sixteen sister, Beatrice, is dating someone she shouldn’t. Their brassy single mom, Sheila, makes up with her ex-boyfriend again. So fourteen-year-old Maddie is left to fend for herself with nothing but her bow and arrow.

Quiver is a solo show written and performed by Anna Chatterton. Sound Design by Michael Rinaldi.

Better Angels: Episode 3 – The Interview

In this, our final episode of Better Angels – a Parable, Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley interview playwright, Andrea Scott. Andrea talks about being a playwright, the genesis of Better Angels, and racism in Canada.

At the end of this episode, we announce the next play to be featured on PlayME.

Better Angels: Episode 2

What do you do when you feel trapped and alone? You could walk out the front door, but you’re even less uncertain of what lies beyond.

Akosua is a young woman late of Ghana who has come to Canada to work as a nanny for Leila and Greg Tate in their beautiful Toronto home.

The couple insist she is a member of their family, but when they increasingly deny her pay she comes to a chilling realization: she is a prisoner.

Written by Andrea Scott and featuring Akosua Amo-Adem, Sascha Cole, Peyson Rock and David Christo, the play premiered at Summerworks in 2015 and was originally directed by Nigel Shawn Williams.