The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble

The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble

by Beth Graham

November 6–23, 2014

An artful, absorbing family drama - Edmonton Journal
The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble

Bernice has called a family meeting while a casserole bakes. Peter, Sarah and Iris – the middle child, who provides the glue – listen as Mom announces her early onset of Alzheimer’s. The oven is on and Iris’s timer is set to remind her of a promise.

Bernice Trimble an artful, absorbing family drama
Edmonton Journal Review, Liz Nicholls

Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble heartbreaking
Edmonton Sun Review, Colin MacLean

The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble is quietly devastating
VUE Weekly Review, Paul Blinov


November 6–23, 2014

Times
Previews November 4–5, 2014
Opening November 6

Tuesday - Saturday @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm

CAST & CREW

PETER

JASON CHINN

Jason is an Edmonton based actor and playwright. Recent credits include PERVERT and VICTORIA MARTIN: MATH TEAM QUEEN (Northern Light Theatre), THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (Studio Theatre), MR. MARMALADE (Summerworks/Outside the March), and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Capitol Theatre). As playwright: MURDERERS CONFESS AT CHRISTMASTIME (Summerworks, Theatre Network Performance Series), I LOVE YOUR HAIR AND OTHER CONVERSATIONS, commissioned by Workshop West Theatre for Theatre Yes! (The National Elevator Project, Skirts a Fire Festival), Chekhov’s THE SEAGULL, commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Theatre Creation (University of Alberta, MacEwan University), INTIMACY for Surreal Soreal’s Sartre’s Shorts, and LADIES WHO LYNCH (Azimuth Theatre, Canoe Festival). Jason is a Sterling and Dora nominee. He is developing his next play AEGISTHES AND ZEPHYRINUS at the Citadel Theatre Playwrights’ Forum.

IRIS

CLARICE ECKFORD

Clarice Eckford was last seen at the 2014 Edmonton Fringe Festival in Whizzgiggling Productions’ HER MARK – a play based on the poetry of Michael Crummey. Other credits include DOUBT at the Citadel Theatre; 448 PSYCHOSIS as part of the Indy Five Theatre Festival; THE LONESOME WEST with the Atlas Theatre Co-op; LOVE/HATE/KILL and POPTART at the Edmonton and Winnipeg Fringe Festivals; KINGFISHER DAYS with Covenant Theatre; and, THE LOVE COURSE with SPIRIT Theatre. Clarice received Sterling nominations for her work in KINGFISHER DAYS, THE LOVE COURSE and THE LONESOME WEST. She is a graduate of the BFA Acting Program, and she is a co-founder of Pony Productions, an award-winning independent company, known for its anthology plays.

BERNICE

SUSAN GILMOUR

Susan is an artist of international standing, having starred in Toronto, Stratford, on Broadway, in Los Angeles, across the US and Canada, and around the world. Her many credits include LES MISERABLES, INTO THE WOODS, EVITA, CATS, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, ANYTHING GOES, MAN OF LA MANCHA, OLIVER!, THE THREE PENNY OPERA, and the World Premier of PELAGIE, for which she received a Dora Mavor Moore Nomination. Since her recent move back to her hometown of Edmonton, Susan’s credits include the title role of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Marmee in LITTLE WOMEN, The Baroness in SOUND OF MUSIC, Lady of The Lake in SPAMALOT (all for The Citadel Theatre), and in this year’s Citadel/Theatre Calgary production of MARY POPPINS, where she won the Calgary Theatre Critics Award for her portrayal of The Bird Woman, and “The Holy Terror” Miss Andrew. Susan is thrilled and honoured to be making her debut here at Theatre Network, in Beth Graham’s beautiful play, and with this wonderful company!

SARAH

PATRICIA ZENTILLI

Patricia is very excited to present this Cabaret series at The Roxy Theatre and looks forward to sharing some great songs and stories with you.
Patricia has appeared across Canada in Film, TV, Theatre and Cabaret. Most recently, she played the role of Donna in the Citadel Theatre’s hit production of MAMA MIA! Patricia was also seen recently in I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at the Mayfield Theatre, and as Judy Boone in the Canadian Premiere of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME at the Citadel Theatre. Theatre Network audiences will recoginze her from THE LAST FIVE YEARS and THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL OF BERNICE TRIMBLE. Other theatre credits include MACK AND MABEL ( Plain Jane), CLOSER THAN EVER ( WCT and TIP), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS ( Mayfield) LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, URINETOWN ( Canstage) , A NEW BRAIN ( Acting Upstage), HAMLET, GREASE, OF MICE AND MEN, SINCERELY, A FRIEND, RABBIT HOLE, THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING, WHAT THE BUTLER SAW ( Neptune Theatre) NOISES OFF ( Atlantic Theatre Festival). She lives in Edmonton with her husband, director, actor, playwright Farren Timoteo and their almost 7 year old son Leonardo.
PLAYWRIGHT

BETH GRAHAM

Beth is an Edmonton-based playwright, actor and guardian to a pomeranian cross named Oscar. Beth wrote THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL OF BERNICE TRIMBLE as part of the 2010 playwright’s forum at the Citadel Theatre. The play premiered at Factory Theatre (co-produced with Obsidian Theatre) last fall and will be published by Playwrights Canada Press in the Spring of 2015. Beth is also one of the co-creators of THE DROWNING GIRLS, which premiered at the Edmonton Fringe Festival, was re-written for the 2008 Alberta Theatre Projects PlayRites Festival and went on to tour nationally. Other co-creations include: MULES, COMRADES, and VICTOR AND VICTORIA’S TERRIFYING TALE OF TERRIBLE THINGS. She is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA acting program.

DIRECTOR

BRADLEY MOSS

Bradley is an MFA graduate in directing from the University Alberta. He joined Theatre Network in 1996 to create the multidisciplinary emerging artist festival – Nextfest. In 2014 Bradley accepted the dual role of Artistic & Executive Director for Theatre Network. Some recent productions include: BED AND BREAKFAST, THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER, MINERVA – QUEEN OF THE HANDCUFFS, INFINITY, The Sterling Award Winning Production IRMA VOTH, BUST, GORDON, RED, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ARMSTRONG’S WAR, the Governor General Nominated THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL OF BERNICE TRIMBLE, the Sterling Award Winning LITTLE ONE, DRIVING MISS DAISY, the Governor General Award Winning PIG GIRL, the Sterling Award Winning LET THE LIGHT OF DAY THROUGH, WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, IN ON IT, MOVING ALONG, TWELFTH NIGHT, PUBLIC SPEAKING, DOG, THUNDERSTICK, BUDDY, ALIAS GODOT, MISERY, CLOSER AND CLOSER APART, the Sterling Award Winning SUMMER OF MY AMAZING LUCK, TRUE WEST, GIRL IN THE GOLDFISH BOWL, HOSANNA, MARION BRIDGE, A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, the Sterling Award Winning glam rock musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, and HIGH LIFE.

SET/COSTUME DESIGNER

CORY SINCENNES

Cory is an award winning designer, currently residing in Charlottetown, PEI. His set, costume and lighting designs have received both national and international recognition. His work has been seen throughout Canada, as well as throughout Europe and Russia. Cory earned a degree in Architectural Studies from Carleton University before studying design at Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto. He also holds a MFA in Theatre Design from the University of Alberta. Recent Designs: EVANANGELINE, BITTERGIRL THE MUSICAL (Charlottetown Festival) LIBERATION DAYS (Theatre Calgary/WCT), PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, LES MISERABLES (WCT); MARY POPPINSNEXT TO NORMAL, (Theatre Calgary/Citadel Theatre); MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, VENUS IN FUR, ROMEO AND JULIET, SPAMALOT, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Citadel); LAST 5 YEARS, MICHEL AND TI-JEAN, and LET THE LIGHT OF DAY THROUGH (Theatre Network). www.corysincennes.com

Drag

READ: Q&A with playwright Beth Graham

READ: Bradley Moss’ Director’s Note

LISTEN: Beth Graham on CKUA’s ArtBeat podcast

LISTEN: Clarice Eckford on the What It Is podcast (Contains coarse language)

WATCH: Meet the cast of Bernice Trimble