By Louis Nowra
Director – Colin MacPherson
Producers – Karen & Trevor Bonanno
The hilarious comedy, Cosi, by Australian playwright Louis Nowra is about to make its North American premiere at Burlington Little Theatre.
Production Dates: July 23-26, 30-31, August 1-2 and 6-9 1997
Last year, Burlington director/actor, Colin MacPherson and his wife, Gail Beker found themselves in the very enviable position of living both in Canada and Australia. For this theatrical couple it has meant much more than beautiful weather all year round. They realized they were in a unique position, in which they might be able to bring new and exciting Australian plays to Canada, and wonderful Canadian plays to Australia. A bit of a dream come true. The chance to bring some of Canada’s and Australia’s greatest works and playwrights to a fresh new audience was too hard to resist.
Hence Cosi! An Australian smash hit comedy by Sydney-based playwright Louis Nowra. Negotiations began with the playwright and soon the idea of bringing Cosito Canada became a reality.
Cosi is a play about a bunch of inmates in an insane asylum, who, as part of an occupational therapy program, decide to mount a production of Mozart’s opera, Cosi Fan Tutte! A young university graduate is brought in as director, and as one might expect, madness ensues. The cast of crazies includes a pyromaniac, a stuttering ex-lawyer, a “wannabe” actor/director who seems deceptively almost- normal, a lithium-addled pianist, a switchblade-wielding romantic, a foggy-minded junkie and an obsessive- compulsive with a burning desire to count… everything.
The stage, and the stage on the stage, are set for an evening of riotously funny theatre, with more than its share of pathos and insight. You’ll definitely go home thinking, as well as recovering from an evening of belly laughs. Cosi might leave you wondering who is sane and who is insane and whose world makes more sense.
The cultural exchange has begun, and for Colin and Gail, as well as for Burlington Little Theatre, the first steps have been taken on a bridge from Australia to Canada, over which the culture and the lives of two different, yet similar nations can pass.
Cast
Lewis … Michael Wierenga
Lucy … Lisa Rainville
Nick … Craig Abraham
Justin … Doug Gowland
Roy … Bruce Edwards
Henry … Ian MacPherson
Doug … Warren Chinn
Cherry … Kerry Corrigan
Julie … Wendy Haller
Ruth … Gail Beker
Zac … Al French
Crew
Stage Manager … Jim Spencer
Set Design … Peter Lloyd
Assistant Stage Manager … Louise Reed
Lights … Dennis Howarth
Production Dates: July 23-26, 30-31, August 1-2 and 6-9 1997