Theatre Passe Muraille presents the World Premiere of NOBLE PARASITES

Noble Parasites

Theatre Passe Muraille presents the world premiere of Noble Parasites, a double bill of two archly funny tributes to the dystopian and post-apocalyptic futures of 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale. This onstage sci-fi thriller stars Kate Hewlett, best known for playing the onscreen sister of her real life brother David (Dr. Rodney McKay) in Stargate: Atlantis and for starring in his indie film sensation A Dog's Breakfast. Her super talented co-stars are Amy Rutherford and Julian Richings (who also has a number of sci-fi and horror credits to his name such as War of the Worlds, Cube, Wrong Turn, Urban Legend, and Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital). Noble Parasites previews from April 5, opens April 11 and runs to April 29 at Theatre Passe Muraille's Mainspace.

Noble Parasites imagines two sinister futures: an underground society on the edge of extinction, and an ultra-modern world of espionage and betrayal. The first act, originally produced at SummerWorks in 2005, was highly acclaimed:

“Shot through with McPhaden's trademark, martini-dry humour … It's perfectly cast, deliciously written sci-fi, following in the tradition of Brave New World or Urinetown. Expect this Parasite to hang around for a while.” - Bob Crew, Toronto Star

Act I, The Bookworm, is set hundreds of years in the future; Act II, Sea Change, takes place only a few of decades from now.

The Bookworm: Deep below the earth's toxic surface, humanity clings to life in a cult-like society. When young Lindy discovers a forbidden artifact-a 20th-century magazine depicting a long-forgotten past-her world is thrown into chaos. To make matters worse, it's Lindy's Examination Day, and she's about to face the city's most menacing elder.

Sea Change: In the wake of an environmental catastrophe, Thomas spies a golden opportunity. Armed with the hyper-tech secret to winning the upcoming election, he meets with a shady government operative in a city park. But Thomas' plans are upset when the transaction goes crazily awry-in these uncertain times, no one can be trusted.

Toronto Playwright Mike McPhaden, is the Dora Award-winning author of the 2005 hit play Poochwater. Noble Parasites is directed by Rebecca Brown (Ken McDougall Award recipient; richardthesecond for Harbourfront Centre's Hatch Festival and Theatre Passe Muraille - nominated for six Doras including Outstanding Direction; Sheroes, named Best Direction in NOW magazine's Best of the Fringe).

The two acts of Noble Parasites feature set and costume design by Michael Gianfrancesco, lighting design by Kimberly Purtell, and sound design by Michael Laird. Shauna Japp is the stage manager.

Supported by BMO Financial Group

Theatre Passe Muraille presents the World Premiere of NOBLE PARASITES
Written by Mike McPhaden. Directed by Rebecca Brown
Previews from April 5, Opens Wednesday April 11 and continues to April 29
Theatre Passe Muraille's Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue; Tuesday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2 pm
Tickets: Previews $15; Regular Run: Tues-Thurs $25 ($20 students/seniors),
Fri and Sat evening $30 ($25 Students/seniors), Sun matinees Pay-What-You-Can ($10 suggested minimum)
Box office: 416-504-7529 or www.artsboxoffice.ca
Information: www.passemuraille.on.ca

Comments

Am going tonight Written by nanook660 on 2007-04-25 11:50:53 Seeing Noble Parasites Tonight.    Better hurry folks it is only on until the end of the month.    Peace and Hugs  Fran

Noble Parasites was great! Written by Pixel on 2007-04-22 15:23:08 My family and I were able to go see Noble Parasites last night. We all thoroughly enjoyed it!   The cast did an excellent job, and the play was very entertaining. If you get a chance, go see it!

Written by nanook660 on 2007-04-20 14:45:23 My two sisters and I are going next Wednesday.  Peace and Hugs  Fran

cool news Written by Lady of the Lake on 2007-03-23 13:22:34 I wish I could go to but I'm here in south east Alaska..hope it good well.

Written by Scary on 2007-03-23 08:46:56 WOW. That sounds like great fun. I wish I could go. But I am here in Nova Scotia. So close and yet so far.     All the BEST!!!!!!!!!

Written by libra_traveller on 2007-03-22 16:42:51 Sounds wonderful, but since I can't see it, I'll have to wait for reviews and imagine it from reading those.

Break a Leg (not literally .. that would Written by APMC4CB on 2007-03-22 15:42:52 Break a leg! toi toi! etc Am in the UK so unfortunately cant go How about bringing it to London West End? ... i'd work on it for free? not convinced? oh well, i tried!

Written by sammy on 2007-03-22 11:34:01 oooh looks interesting. im also on the wrong side of the pond!

Written by Pixel on 2007-03-22 10:22:39 My husband and I are hoping to go see this. We live about an hour's drive from Toronto. Thanks for the reminder.    Didn't Julian Richings come to a rather gruesome end in Treed Murray, too?    We wish Kate all the best in this new endeavour.

Written by Kate28 on 2007-03-22 08:22:56 I've never heard of a Sci-Fi play before and I'm utterly fascinated! If I weren't living in Australia I'd see it in a heartbeat.

Written by rosiewook on 2007-03-22 05:15:32 Kate mentioned this a few weeks ago on her blog. I have told her to make sure it runs again next year so that I can afford to go to Toronto and watch. (This year's travel budget is already booked with other trips.)    She will, of course, accomodate that request.     No doubts she'll be fantastic in it. And I'm sure she's wondering about the wisdom of doing another sci-fi role. But we like it!

Written by Netty on 2007-03-22 02:14:15 Wish i could go...sounds fanatastic!  But i live so far away lol  not fair

Written by s_aurius on 2007-03-21 23:41:49 Thanks for the info! I wish I could go. Unfortunately it's too far for me to drive right now. If only I had more vacation time and money.   Maybe next year.

Written by Becky S. on 2007-03-21 21:25:37 It's a good thing I check both the blog and news articles before I go to work, or else I wouldn't have seen this until tomorrow morning. I really would like to see this, but it depends right now on if my renters can buy my house in the next few weeks. I have to talk to them about that this weekend anyway. Wish me luck. If they can buy it soon, I can pay off a few bills and make the trip.

Written by windshieldbug on 2007-03-21 20:26:36 OH I missed this! THanks Kathy! Toooooo bad its so far from me. I'd go in a heartbeat!

Wow. I'm early! Written by Aten on 2007-03-21 18:39:19 Is this actually happening? Am I posting one of the first few comments? Cool!     And now for a downer: April is a very packed month for me, so I can say outright that I won't be able to make it. It's sooooo tempting, though...Anybody know of a good way to sneak out of one's country?

Written by shelsfc on 2007-03-21 16:46:59 I'm also on the wrong side of the pond, but if I discover anyone I know is going to be nearby I'll direct them to it!

Written by Zerocool on 2007-03-21 16:37:18 Wow! I'd love to see this! I'm totally the wrong side of the pond though.     P.S. D! News updates are hard for people to spot as the board now seems to put them in nearly invisible writing bellow your IMDB wrapper.

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