That Elusive Spark
A new play by Janet Munsil.
Author of Circus Fire, Emphysema (A Love Story) and Be Still
Janet Munsil, a UVic Theatre graduate and Producer of Victoria’s Intrepid Theatre, returns to the Department of Theatre’s 2005 Festival of Innovative and New Drama (FIND) following the successful run of her play Circus Fire at the Phoenix two years ago. Her latest work is inspired by the true story of Phineas Gage, a New England construction foreman who, in 1848, survived a freak blasting accident that drove an iron spike through his skull. To this day, the Harvard Medical School keeps his skull and famous tamping iron on display as a reminder of the enduring and fascinating debate about how the brain works and what it means to be human.
The department is delighted to welcome Halifax director Linda Moore back to the Phoenix following her visits in 2001 (directing Anthony Minghella’s Two Planks and a Passion), in 1996 (directing Jest in Time Meet Beckett for the department’s Beckett Festival and in 1995 (directing Betty Lambert’s Jennie’s Story).
Media Reviews
“Anyone interested in seeing one of the finest plays of the year—not to mention the latest and possibly greatest work (to date) from one of our best local playwrights—should rush to catch That Elusive Spark. I’ve already booked my tickets to see it again.”
– John Threlfall (Monday Magazine)
“Great choice. With no preconceptions, approaching a new piece has obviously inspired some great performances in the cast, all around, one of the finest productions in recent history at the Phoenix (and my memory goes waaaaay back when it comes to the Phoenix). Thank director Linda Moore for coaxing groundbreaking work from several of these young stars…”
– Robert Mitchell (CBC Radio)
“Yet overall, That Elusive Spark flashes with admirable vivacity and originality. It’s an inventively told yarn that pinwheels like a firework, and for Munsil, appears to be something of a breakthrough.”
– Adrian Chamberlain (Times Colonist)
Show Dates
March 8 – 19, 2005
Previews: March 8th and 9th at 8pm
Opens: March 10th at 8pm
Evening Performances: March 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19th at 8pm
Matinee: Saturday March 19th at 2pm
Pre-Show Lecture: Friday March 11th at 7pm
Seating Plan: Chief Dan George Theatre
Cast & Creative
Director: Linda Moore (Guest Director)
Set Designer: Karyn McCallum (Graduate Student-Design)
Costume Designer: Tamara Marie Kucheran (Sessional)
Lighting Designer: William Mackwood (Guest Artist)
Stage Manager: Sarah Hutchison
Assistant Director: Christie Little
Assistant Costume Designer: Nancy Perrin
Faculty Supervisor (Design): Allan Stichbury
Movement Coach: K. Scott Malcolm (Faculty)
Dialect Consultant: Ned Vukovic (Faculty)
Sound Co-ordination: Gord Heal
Original Music: Sandy Moore
Opening Song: Janet Munsil and Sebastien Archibald
Featuring: Sebastien Archibald, Douglas Scott Bates, Melissa Bates, Ingrid Hansen, Trevor Hinton, Graham Newmarch, Devon Taylor, Karen Taylor, Colby Wilson