New plays make their Aurora debuts this weekend

May 7, 2014 · 0 Comments

Original plays on the many facets of Canadian life will make their Aurora debuts in a series of readings hosted at the Aurora Cultural Centre.
Produced by Theatre Starts Inc. and Writers’ Springboard, the series aims to “promote and develop new voices in the theatre.”

“The readings are performed before an audience by trained actors and directed by professionals with international reputations,” says Writers’ Springboard. “Writers, actors, directors and dramaturges are invited to participate in a dialogue with the audience after the reading.

The first of the plays is “Bucket List”, by Trish West. It charts the story of two elderly men who, as the name suggests, map out their remaining years. Also by Trish West, “Skin Deep” takes a look at “exploring the threats to maintaining deep bonds in an ordinary family that is coping with extraordinary events.” Both plays take the stage at the Cultural Centre on Friday night at 7.30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Next up, is the non-fiction play “I’m Mitch Hepburn” by Larry Glassford and David Jones.

“Politics wasn’t always dull. Who knew?” says Theatre Starts. “A radical politician becomes Premier of Ontario. Along the way, a story unfolds of deals, betrayals, hard drinking and womanizing.” Rounding out the lineup is N.H. Downie’s “Lady of the Chair”, which follows the secrets between a mother and daughter who “can neither forgive nor forget the past. Bad decisions, a death and too much memory conspire to lead a washed-up actress to seek oblivion.”

The first reading is Saturday at 7.30 p.m. followed by Sunday at 2 p.m. For more information, including tickets, email tickets@theatrestarts.com.