First out of the gate in Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre’s four-play 2022 summer season will be a new imagining of the Canadian classic I, Claudia by Kristen Thomson.
Co-produced by Brian Richmond, directed by Treena Stubel and starring Kathleen O’Reilly, this production will bring together three generations of artists trained in the philosophy and methodologies of the late, great French physical theatre guru Jacques Lecoq.
The teacher of such internationally recognized actors and directors as Ariane Mnouchkine, Simon McBurney, Sasha Baron Cohen, Geoffrey Rush and Julie Taymor, Blue Bridge’s team will include Lecoq students from the late ‘60s (Richmond), the early 2000s (Stubel) and 2019 (O’Reilly).
“I am really excited to welcome artists who are so steeped in the philosophy of this truly great teacher” stated the Blue Bridge’s artistic director, Brian Richmond. “And I can think of no better project for them to bring their talents together than on this wonderful Canadian play, which so beautifully captures the joys and sorrows of adolescence. By exploring techniques shaped by possibly the greatest teacher of our generation, I am confident they will create a memorable and distinctive production of this important work.”
Premiering in 2001, I, Claudia has enjoyed widespread acclaim at theatres across Canada and was described by the National Post’s theatre critic, Robert Cushman, as “one of the freshest things to hit the stage in many a season,”and by the Toronto Star’s Richard Ouzounian as “blissfully funny and unexpectedly touching.”
Running from April 26 to May 11 at The Roxy Theatre, the production’s director, Treena Stubel, will be joined by a creative team that includes the veteran set, costume and mask designer Catherine Hahn and lighting designer Rebekah Johnson.
Both streamed and in-person tickets are available online at bluebridgetheatre.ca or by calling 250-382-3370.