
THE BIG SMOKE
This will be the Canadian Premiere of an award-winning one-woman show inspired by the lives of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton.
In a courageous physical performance with a completely original text and score sung a cappella, Amy Nostbakken tells the story of a brilliant young artist from Toronto given the opportunity of a lifetime: a solo exhibit at London’s Tate Modern Art Gallery. Nathalie has everything to live for: good looks, talent, a loving family, amazing scholarships and a career just waiting to take off. But just as she is rising to the heights of her potential, she begins to spiral down into the depths of depression. Through swanky gallery parties and grim pub toilets, ex-boyfriends and meddling aunts, mauled dogs and crashed cyclists, her descent into madness unfolds. The Big Smoke is a stunning experience that walks the fine line between sanity and psychosis.
Theatre Ad Infinitum Canada, in association with Why Not Theatre presents The Big Smoke winner of the Argus Angel Award at the 2011 Brighton Festival Fringe. Nostbakken was also nominated for Best Female Performer in the Latest Awards, Brighton. The production premiered to rave reviews at the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, leading to a national tour of Britain in spring/summer 2011 that included stops in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford and Leeds.
The Big Smoke is a co-devised piece directed by Nir Paldi, with music and performance by Amy Nostbakken.
Tickets are available via www.factorytheatre.ca, by email at boxoffice@factorytheatre.ca, by phone at (001) 416-504-9971, or at the door.
UK SPRING/SUMMER TOUR DATES IN 2011
28 March | Rose Theatre, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP | 7.30pm | To book tickets click here, or phone 01695 584480
13 April | Rose Bruford College Annual Symposium 2011, Sidcup, London DA15 9DF | Time tbc | Tickets released soon, watch this space or see their website for more info about Symposium week by clicking here
28 April | North Wall, Oxford, South Parade, OX2 7NN | 8pm | To book tickets click here
6, 7, 8, 10, & 11 May | Brighton Fringe at Upstairs at Three and Ten, 10 Steine St, Brighton BN2 1TE | 6-8th 5pm, 10-11th 8.30pm | To book tickets click here
12 May | Aberysthwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 3DE | 7.45pm | To book tickets click here
23 - 24 May | Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET | 8pm | To book tickets click here
31 May | Physical Fest at Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 9BG | 8pm | To book tickets click here
9 June | Carriage Works, Leeds, 3 Millennium Square, LS2 3AD | 7.45pm | Tickets released soon, to visit venue website click here
14 June | Red Bridge Drama Centre London, Churchfields, E18 2RB | 8pm | To book tickets click here
23-25 June – The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Greater Manchester M50 3AZ | 8pm | To book tickets click here
30 June | Norden Farm, Maidenhead, Altwood Road, West Berkshire SL6 4PF | 7.30pm | To book tickets click here
REVIEWS AND AWARDS 2010-2011
THE BIG SMOKE WINS AN ARGUS ANGEL AWARD 2011 AT BRIGHTON FESTIVAL FRINGE
The Observer 'This play was excellent...'
Click here to read full review
The Scotsman - * * * * 'Last Fringe, Theatre Ad Infinitum wowed us with its epic one-man show, Odyssey... Well they've done it again, this time with female actor Amy Nostbakken'
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What's On Stage - * * * * * 'This performance left me transfixed, overwhelmed and weeping. Utterly stunning'
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Edinburgh Festival Guide - * * * * 'This is no ordinary one woman play, but a mini opera, an aria, a narrative poem performed “a cappella”'
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Fringe Review - * * * * 'Ad infinitum have become a critically acclaimed theatre company and The Big Smoke is an example of why. Completely breathtaking, beautiful and accomplished.'
Click here to read full review
Three Weeks - * * * * 'Incredibly intense, dark, disturbing, but also beautiful...a remarkable piece of theatre'
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Total Theatre Magazine - 'I search for the words to describe it as it takes such an extraordinary form...'
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The Big Smoke is a co-devised and co-written piece performed by Amy Nostbakken and directed by Nir Paldi. Music: Amy Nostbakken. Costume: Clare Amos. Lighting Design: Peter Harrison. Film (Trailer) and Photography: Ryan Garside.
Press
Please credit Ryan Garside for photography. For more information, photos, and press releases regarding this production please email press@theatreadinfinitum.co.uk
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