Director’s Note: Faithless

Directing FAITHLESS last year for two different theatres was an interesting challenge. Catalyst and One Yellow Rabbit’s Secret Theatre are different in ground plan, seating, and what they have to offer in the lighting department. So we had Plan A and Plan B, and both worked well. At Theatre Network, we will attempt to put Plan C into action; but really, this fabulous two man show can travel anywhere. It’s a great story acted out by its playwrights, Chris Craddock and Steve Pirot, and requires two sets of pajamas, two Ikea chairs, and a blanket. Sound and lights create the set. Sounds pretty simple, right?
Hmmm…
This play’s structure is complex, in that it travels back and forth through time, and exists in different realities for many of its characters.
But…
Getting this play up on its feet was a treat, because the actors knew their characters intimately, and created fabulous and economical re-writes on the spot. Chris and Steve were willing and able to do just about anything, and transitions from scene to scene were pretty effortless and logical. Character definition took time to finesse, but without stress. Sounds, like it came together with no problem, right?
Umm…
Shauna had an allergic reaction to eating nuts, and had a little trouble breathing there for awhile; we all left on different days and took different methods of transportation down to Calgary on Highway Two which closed because of freezing rain. But some how we all managed to arrive in time for tech, and opened the show that night to a very impressed audience. Sounds like the Calgarians loved it, right?
Well…
I went backstage post-opening and witnessed Blake Brooker and Michael Green, the hosts of the High Performance Rodeo, talking to Chris and Steve: “You know when we saw the description of your show you sent down for the program, we thought this was gonna be shit! But it isn’t shit! It’s good! This is really fucking good! Fuck, this is good!”
I think so to. Enjoy!