Amigo's Blue Guitar

By Joan MacLeod
Author of The Shape of a Girl and Jewel

In celebration of the Department of Theatre’s ongoing collaboration with the Department of Writing, the Phoenix marked Joan MacLeod’s appointment as a new faculty member in the writing department with her Governor-General award-winning play, Amigo’s Blue Guitar
Set on the Gulf Islands, a university student brings home a Salvadoran refugee on a whim of compassion.  The unexpected visit forces the family to grapple with long simmering tensions and confront the harsh realities of a refugee’s life.

Director:  Linda Hardy (Faculty)
Set and Lighting Designer:  Allan Stichbury (Faculty)
Costume Designer:  Nicole Lamb
Sound Designer:  Mark Hovey
Stage Manager:  Gillian Reiss
Assistant Director:  Yasmine Kandil
Assistant Lighting Designer:  Eugene Mendelev

Featuring:  Carlo Marks, Fran Gebhard (Sessional Instructor), David Conner (Guest Artist), Emma Claire Miller, and Patrick McCloy.

October 7 – 16, 2004
Previews: Oct. 5 & 6 at 8 pm ($5 after 5 pm)
Evening performances: Oct. 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 at 8 pm
Matinee: Oct. 16 at 2 pm
Pre-Show lecture: Oct. 8 at 7 pm (Free to public)

 


MEDIA REVIEWS

“This is a good choice for theatre students, partly because they have the opportunity to play characters their own age.  On Friday night, Carlo Marks appeared well-cast and convincing as ‘Elias’, capturing the refugee’s conflicting emotions and navigating the Spanish dialogue with aplomb. Pat McCloy made ‘Sander’ impulsive and slightly puckish, while Emma Claire Miller played sister ‘Callie’ with commendable assurance and authenticity.”

-Adrian Chamberlain (Times Colonist)

“MacLeod is a thoughtful writer whose plays avoid easy answers—Amigo’s Blue Guitar is no exception.  Directed clearly and sympathetically by Linda Hardy…”

-Adrian Chamberlain (Times Colonist)

“MacLeod’s completely believable script and Allan Stichbury’s gorgeous set aside, the best thing this production has going for it are the leads.”

John Threlfall (Monday Magazine)