The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius

The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius

by Colleen Murphy

January 30– February 16, 2020

The worst revenge is the best revenge
The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius

Theatre Network is pleased to welcome The Society For The Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius. With their shockingly dark and deranged humour, this award-winning troupe is known to get audiences laughing so hard they lose their minds. “The worst revenge is the best revenge,” in a hilarious and unforgettable adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.
Warning: Clowns at work! Grotesque story-telling and many, many bloody body parts used for parody. Not for the faint of heart.

Featuring: Robert Benz, Helen Belay, Hunter Cardinal, Bobbi Goddard, & Marguerite Lawler
Director:
 Bradley Moss
Bouffon Coach: Michael Kennard
Set & Costume Designer: Tessa Stamp
Lighting Designer: Scott Peters
Composer/Sound Designer: Darrin Hagen
Stage Manager: Gina Moe

Photo credit: Ryan Parker Photography

This production contains the use of fake blood and strobe. More detailed content warnings are available at the theatre.

“The difference between the clown and the bouffon is that while the clown is alone, the bouffon is part of a gang; while we make fun of the clown, the bouffon makes fun of us. At the heart of the bouffon is mockery pushed to the point of parody. The parody isn’t directly offensive with regard to the public; there is no deliberate intention to mock. Bouffons come from elsewhere.”
-Jacques LeCoq


January 30– February 16, 2020

Times
Opening January 30

Tues-sat @ 8pm & Sunday @ 2pm
No Shows Monday

2-for-1 Tuesday on Feb 4 & 11
2 Tickets for $32 or $16/each

Cbc Talk Back Night
Friday Feb 7
Hosted by Mark Connolly

105mins | No Intermission Runtime

CAST & CREW

Playwright

Colleen Murphy

Colleen Murphy was born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and raised in Northern Ontario. Her play PIG GIRL won the 2016 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama as well as the 2014 Carol Bolt Award. THE DECEMBER MAN / L’HOMME DE DÉCEMBRE won the 2007 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, the CAA/Carol Bolt Award and the …

Sob/Titus

Robert Benz

Robert was in Theatre Network’s WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, as well as the Roxy Series shows THE REALISTIC JONESES and 10 OUT OF 12 (Wild Side). In Edmonton, he has worked with Freewill Shakespeare, most recently in THE WINTER’S TALE and TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA; Firefly Theatre & Circus (INFERNO); Citadel (A CHRISTMAS CAROL & SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE); Blarney (TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY & SCARAMOUCHE JONES); …

Boots/Aaron

Helen Belay

Helen Belay is an actor and storyteller that has been playing with words and obsessed with all things beautiful since she was a wee babe in Bedford, England. Thrilled to making her Theatre Network debut, she would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. Credits include:  CINDERELLA (The Globe), VIDALIA (Teatro la Quindicina), MIDDLETOWN, ALL FOR …

Fink/Saturninus & Bassianus

Hunter Cardinal

Hunter is an actor and Indigenous myth-architect. He is Co-Founder and Director of Story at Naheyawin, an agency based in Edmonton, Alberta, that serves as a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In 2018, he was recognized by his community as Edmonton’s Best Actor and awarded a place in Edmonton’s esteemed Top 40 Under 40 …

Spark/Tamora

Bobbi Goddard

Bobbi is tickled to be back at Theatre Network and making a bloody mess with Titus. The world is on fire, so why not dance in the flames?  A proudly prairie artist, Bobbi was born in Saskatchewan, raised in Alberta, and is a graduate of the U of A’s BFA Acting program and Mount Royal’s Theatre …

Leap/Lavinia

Marguerite Lawler

Marguerite is thrilled to be making their Theatre Network debut with Titus Bouffonius. They recently graduated from the U of A BFA acting program (2019). Marg is also a senior performer with RapidFire Theatre, performing in troupes like OFFBOOK: THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL, SPHINXES, MURDER AT MAKEOUT POINT, and more. They write and perform sketch comedy …

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 …

Bouffon Coach

Michael Kennard

Michael Kennard received his BA in Drama from the University of Guelph, after which he studied Clown and Mask at the Theatre Resource Centre in Toronto. His remarkable professional career as co-creator of the clown duo Mump & Smoot has included touring to international acclaim for over 30 years. Awards for MUMP & SMOOT include …

Set & Costume Designer

Tessa Stamp

Tessa Stamp is an Edmonton born theatre professional, entrepreneur, and found object artist.  A dancer first, Tessa has made her career in technical theatre.  She has traveled the world as a pirate, ran away with the circus and in 2008 landed back in Edmonton to play with these clowns.  Tessa works in set, lighting and costume design …

Lighting Designer

Scott Peters

“Now is a time to storm; Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.” Recent Design credits include BED AND BREAKFAST (Theatre Network), EDAY (Serial Collective), Minerva Queen of the Handcuffs (Ghost-writer Theatre), THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER, WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW, INFINITY (Theatre Network), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, THE WINTER’S TALE, HAMLET, A COMEDY OF ERRORS (Freewill Players), 9-5, A …

Composer/Sound Designer

Darrin Hagen

Darrin Hagen is the Artistic Director of Guys In Disguise, which is celebrating over three decades of creating drag comedies that have toured across North America. He has received 7 Sterling awards for his work in the Edmonton theatre scene, and over 40 Sterling nominations. His writing debut in 1996 was the award-winning THE EDMONTON …

Drag
Evil Clowns Slaughter Shakespeare in Disturbing New Play
REVIEW: COLIN MACLEAN, GIGCITY.CA
Titus Bouffonius is all good unwholesome fun
REVIEW: LIZ NICHOLLS, 12THNIGHT.CA
★★★★
REVIEW: Chelsea Novak, Daze magazine
spies, suicide, and a wide blood-splash zone
REVIEW: I DON’T GET IT PODCAST
BOUFFONING AROUND WITH TITUS BOUFFONIUS
PODCAST: MEL PRIESTLEY INTERVIEWS COLLEEN MURPHY
Ketchup ketchup everywhere! The fearless Colleen Murphy revisits Shakespeare’s grisliest play
PREVIEW: LIZ NICHOLLS, 12THNIGHT.CA
The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius is not for the faint of heart
PREVIEW: ANNA BOROWIECKI, ST ALBERT GAZETTE
Production photos
featuring: Helen belay, robert benz, hunter cardinal, bobbi goddard, & marguerite lawler
photos by ian jackson/epic photography 
Pre-Production Photos
Featuring Robert Benz
Photos by Ryan Parker Photography