Western Edge Theatre Nanaimo Fall 2012

WESTERN EDGE THEATRE ANNOUNCES FALL 2012 SERIES

Nanaimo’s Western Edge Theatre has announced a Fall mini-series of three solo shows, opening with Antony Holland in “One Man in His Time” on September 28th.

 Holland is well-known to Nanaimo audiences for his appearance in “Tuesdays with Morrie,” which twice played to sold-out houses at Western Edge. He later won Vancouver’s Jesse Award for best actor for his performance in the same role at the Arts Club Theatre. In “One Man in His Time,” he brings to vivid life his experiences as a British soldier in “The Desert War’ of WWII. In story, song, and rollicking anecdote, and accompanied by rare images of the day, he recreates an era of fast friendships, unforgettable adventures, and terrible loss – through all of which, somehow, he managed to put on plays to entertain himself and his fellow soldiers!

Together they form a revealing portrait of an unusual war, and of Holland himself. Says one audience member: "Before our eyes, he sheds years, leaving us looking at a young man with sparkling eyes and a mischievous heart."

“One Man in His Time” plays Sept. 28, 29 and Oct. 5, 6 at 7:30 pm at Nanaimo Centre Stage (25 Victoria Rd.), with a single matinee on Oct. 7 at 2 pm.

Other shows in the Fall series include “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs,” a hilarious and excoriating play about a self-described "Apple partisan" who goes on a journey to China and discovers some dark truths about how our technology is made (Oct. 26, 27, 28 at Headliners, 165 Fraser St.), and “Songs and Stories of Davy the Punk,” legendary Canadian folksinger Bob Bossin’s delightful new entertainment about his father’s exploits in Toronto's gambling demi-monde of the 1930s and 40s (Nov. 23, 24, 25, Headliners).

The series will be the last under Western Edge Theatre’s founding artistic producer, Frank Moher, who will step down from his position Dec. 31st. “In December, it will be exactly 10 years since I first incorporated Western Edge,” says Moher. “That seems like a good time to step aside and let others bring new energy and ideas to the company, though I look forward to remaining active with it in other ways.”

Moher will be succeeded by Eliza Gardiner, who has worked as a director with the company from nearly its beginning, and who teaches in the theatre department at Vancouver Island University. Says Moher: “I am delighted that our Board has decided to turn the artistic direction of the company over to Eliza, who has more than enough energy and creativity for the job, and who knows our community very well.” Gardiner will announce her 2013 plans for the company early in the new year.

Meantime, series passes for Western Edge’s Fall series are now on sale for just $45 for Adults, $25 for Students, a saving of 20% over the cost of individual tickets. They are available online at westernedge.org or by phone at 250-668-0991 or 1-888-320-3343.

Single tickets for “One Man in His Time” will go on sale Sept. 10th. The Western Edge Theatre 2012 Fall series is made possible in part by support from The City of Nanaimo and The Province of British Columbia.