Theatromania Interview

A little Q & A with Adam Paolozza a propos le Double…

 

A clip of The Double from www.torontowide.com

Torontowide.com came in to film a clip of The Double last week. Here’s a sneak peek at the average morning chez Golyadkin…

Interview with Adam Paolozza on Artsmania

Earlier this month I had a great sit down chat with Anita Malhotra from Artsmania. Here’s a link to the interview

And we had a our first preview last night. We have six more to go before we open Wednesday October 23rd at the Tarragon. 

Double rehearsals begin again at Tarragon

Arif Mirabdolbaghi, Adam Paolozza and Viktor Lukawski photo by Lacey Creighton

We’ve begun rehearsals again for The Double at Tarragon yesterday…We open October 23rd with previews October 15-22. Check www.tarragontheatre.com/season/1314/the-double/ for more info on tickets, etc.

Midway is selling out – only 5 shows left

Our co-production with DLT Teatro from Florence ofMidway Along The Journey Of Our Life is selling-out at SummerWorks! Here’s what the reviews are saying: -“lost in a dream like world…fragmented…exciting” -“Midway Along the Journey of Our Life requires a lot of trust and confidence from both its artists and participants. If you feel comfortable joining in the action, you’re in for a treat: Walking along Queen West, behind a white rabbit on stilts, while wearing a pilot’s uniform and carrying a locked briefcase, was pretty magical.” -“…there’s nothing I’ve ever seen that I could compare that to. What I ignorantly signed myself up for was something 100 times more exciting than I expected…Another highlight of the Summerworks theatre festival….” There are only 5 DAYS LEFT to see it…Wednesay-Saturday this week.   Get your tickets HERE

Did you know..?

…that the title Midway Along The Journey Of Our Life is inspired from Dante’s Inferno? It comes from the first canto of La Divina Commedia?

Show opens on this Thursday, August 8! Get tickets here

Doré’s engraving of The Divine Comedy

Here’s the whole first canto:

The Divine Comedy : Inferno: Canto I 

Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita mi ritrovai per una selva oscura, ché la diritta via era smarrita.Ahi quanto a dir qual era è cosa dura esta selva selvaggia e aspra e forte che nel pensier rinova la paura!Tant’ è amara che poco è più morte; ma per trattar del ben ch’i’ vi trovai, dirò de l’altre cose ch’i’ v’ho scorte. Io non so ben ridir com’ i’ v’intrai,10 tant’ era pien di sonno a quel punto che la verace via abbandonai. Ma poi ch’i’ fui al piè d’un colle giunto, là dove terminava quella valle che m’avea di paura il cor compunto, guardai in alto e vidi le sue spalle vestite già de’ raggi del pianeta che mena dritto altrui per ogne calle. Allor fu la paura un poco queta, che nel lago del cor m’era durata20 la notte ch’i’ passai con tanta pieta. E come quei che con lena affannata, uscito fuor del pelago a la riva, si volge a l’acqua perigliosa e guata, così l’animo mio, ch’ancor fuggiva, si volse a retro a rimirar lo passo che non lasciò già mai persona viva. Poi ch’èi posato un poco il corpo lasso, ripresi via per la piaggia diserta, sì che ’l piè fermo sempre era ’l più basso.30 Ed ecco, quasi al cominciar de l’erta, una lonza leggera e presta molto, che di pel macolato era coverta; e non mi si partia dinanzi al volto, anzi ’mpediva tanto il mio cammino, ch’i’ fui per ritornar più volte vòlto. Temp’ era dal principio del mattino, e ’l sol montava ’n sù con quelle stelle ch’eran con lui quando l’amor divino mosse di prima quelle cose belle;40 sì ch’a bene sperar m’era cagione di quella fiera a la gaetta pelle l’ora del tempo e la dolce stagione; ma non sì che paura non mi desse la vista che m’apparve d’un leone. Questi parea che contra me venisse con la test’ alta e con rabbiosa fame, sì che parea che l’aere ne tremesse. Ed una lupa, che di tutte brame sembiava carca ne la sua magrezza,50 e molte genti fé già viver grame, questa mi porse tanto di gravezza con la paura ch’uscia di sua vista, ch’io perdei la speranza de l’altezza. E qual è quei che volontieri acquista, e giugne ’l tempo che perder lo face, che ’n tutti suoi pensier piange e s’attrista; tal mi fece la bestia sanza pace, che, venendomi ’ncontro, a poco a poco mi ripigneva là dove ’l sol tace.60 Mentre ch’i’ rovinava in basso loco, dinanzi a li occhi mi si fu offerto chi per lungo silenzio parea fioco. Quando vidi costui nel gran diserto, «Miserere di me», gridai a lui, «qual che tu sii, od ombra od omo certo!». Rispuosemi: «Non omo, omo già fui, e li parenti miei furon lombardi, mantoani per patrïa ambedui. Nacqui sub Iulio, ancor che fosse tardi,70 e vissi a Roma sotto ’l buono Augusto nel tempo de li dèi falsi e bugiardi. Poeta fui, e cantai di quel giusto figliuol d’Anchise che venne di Troia, poi che ’l superbo Ilïón fu combusto. Ma tu perché ritorni a tanta noia? perché non sali il dilettoso monte ch’è principio e cagion di tutta gioia?». «Or se’ tu quel Virgilio e quella fonte che spandi di parlar sì largo fiume?»,80 rispuos’ io lui con vergognosa fronte. «O de li altri poeti onore e lume, vagliami ’l lungo studio e ’l grande amore che m’ha fatto cercar lo tuo volume. Tu se’ lo mio maestro e ’l mio autore, tu se’ solo colui da cu’ io tolsi lo bello stilo che m’ha fatto onore. Vedi la bestia per cu’ io mi volsi; aiutami da lei, famoso saggio, ch’ella mi fa tremar le vene e i polsi».90 «A te convien tenere altro vïaggio», rispuose, poi che lagrimar mi vide, «se vuo’ campar d’esto loco selvaggio; ché questa bestia, per la qual tu gride, non lascia altrui passar per la sua via, ma tanto lo ’mpedisce che l’uccide; e ha natura sì malvagia e ria, che mai non empie la bramosa voglia, e dopo ’l pasto ha più fame che pria. Molti son li animali a cui s’ammoglia,100 e più saranno ancora, infin che ’l veltro verrà, che la farà morir con doglia. Questi non ciberà terra né peltro, ma sapïenza, amore e virtute, e sua nazion sarà tra feltro e feltro. Di quella umile Italia fia salute per cui morì la vergine Cammilla, Eurialo e Turno e Niso di ferute. Questi la caccerà per ogne villa, fin che l’avrà rimessa ne lo ’nferno,110 là onde ’nvidia prima dipartilla. Ond’ io per lo tuo me’ penso e discerno che tu mi segui, e io sarò tua guida, e trarrotti di qui per loco etterno; ove udirai le disperate strida, vedrai li antichi spiriti dolenti, ch’a la seconda morte ciascun grida; e vederai color che son contenti nel foco, perché speran di venire quando che sia a le beate genti.120 A le quai poi se tu vorrai salire, anima fia a ciò più di me degna: con lei ti lascerò nel mio partire; ché quello imperador che là sù regna, perch’ i’ fu’ ribellante a la sua legge, non vuol che ’n sua città per me si vegna. In tutte parti impera e quivi regge; quivi è la sua città e l’alto seggio: oh felice colui cu’ ivi elegge!» E io a lui: «Poeta, io ti richeggio130 per quello Dio che tu non conoscesti, acciò ch’io fugga questo male e peggio, che tu mi meni là dov’ or dicesti, sì ch’io veggia la porta di san Pietro e color cui tu fai cotanto mesti.» Allor si mosse, e io li tenni dietro.

Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark, For the straightforward pathway had been lost.Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say What was this forest savage, rough, and stern, Which in the very thought renews the fear.So bitter is it, death is little more; But of the good to treat, which there I found, Speak will I of the other things I saw there. I cannot well repeat how there I entered,10 So full was I of slumber at the moment In which I had abandoned the true way. But after I had reached a mountain’s foot, At that point where the valley terminated, Which had with consternation pierced my heart, Upward I looked, and I beheld its shoulders, Vested already with that planet’s rays Which leadeth others right by every road. Then was the fear a little quieted That in my heart’s lake had endured throughout20 The night, which I had passed so piteously. And even as he, who, with distressful breath, Forth issued from the sea upon the shore, Turns to the water perilous and gazes; So did my soul, that still was fleeing onward, Turn itself back to re-behold the pass Which never yet a living person left. After my weary body I had rested, The way resumed I on the desert slope, So that the firm foot ever was the lower.30 And lo! almost where the ascent began, A panther light and swift exceedingly, Which with a spotted skin was covered o’er! And never moved she from before my face, Nay, rather did impede so much my way, That many times I to return had turned. The time was the beginning of the morning, And up the sun was mounting with those stars That with him were, what time the Love Divine At first in motion set those beauteous things;40 So were to me occasion of good hope, The variegated skin of that wild beast, The hour of time, and the delicious season; But not so much, that did not give me fear A lion’s aspect which appeared to me. He seemed as if against me he were coming With head uplifted, and with ravenous hunger, So that it seemed the air was afraid of him; And a she-wolf, that with all hungerings Seemed to be laden in her meagreness,50 And many folk has caused to live forlorn! She brought upon me so much heaviness, With the affright that from her aspect came, That I the hope relinquished of the height. And as he is who willingly acquires, And the time comes that causes him to lose, Who weeps in all his thoughts and is despondent, E’en such made me that beast withouten peace, Which, coming on against me by degrees Thrust me back thither where the sun is silent.60 While I was rushing downward to the lowland, Before mine eyes did one present himself, Who seemed from long-continued silence hoarse. When I beheld him in the desert vast, “Have pity on me,” unto him I cried, “Whiche’er thou art, or shade or real man!” He answered me: “Not man; man once I was, And both my parents were of Lombardy, And Mantuans by country both of them. ‘Sub Julio’ was I born, though it was late,70 And lived at Rome under the good Augustus, During the time of false and lying gods. A poet was I, and I sang that just Son of Anchises, who came forth from Troy, After that Ilion the superb was burned. But thou, why goest thou back to such annoyance? Why climb’st thou not the Mount Delectable, Which is the source and cause of every joy?” “Now, art thou that Virgilius and that fountain Which spreads abroad so wide a river of speech?”80 I made response to him with bashful forehead. “O, of the other poets honour and light, Avail me the long study and great love That have impelled me to explore thy volume! Thou art my master, and my author thou, Thou art alone the one from whom I took The beautiful style that has done honour to me. Behold the beast, for which I have turned back; Do thou protect me from her, famous Sage, For she doth make my veins and pulses tremble.”90 “Thee it behoves to take another road,” Responded he, when he beheld me weeping, “If from this savage place thou wouldst escape; Because this beast, at which thou criest out, Suffers not any one to pass her way, But so doth harass him, that she destroys him; And has a nature so malign and ruthless, That never doth she glut her greedy will, And after food is hungrier than before. Many the animals with whom she weds,100 And more they shall be still, until the Greyhound Comes, who shall make her perish in her pain. He shall not feed on either earth or pelf, But upon wisdom, and on love and virtue; ‘Twixt Feltro and Feltro shall his nation be; Of that low Italy shall he be the saviour, On whose account the maid Camilla died, Euryalus, Turnus, Nisus, of their wounds; Through every city shall he hunt her down, Until he shall have driven her back to Hell,110 There from whence envy first did let her loose. Therefore I think and judge it for thy best Thou follow me, and I will be thy guide, And lead thee hence through the eternal place, Where thou shalt hear the desperate lamentations, Shalt see the ancient spirits disconsolate, Who cry out each one for the second death; And thou shalt see those who contented are Within the fire, because they hope to come, Whene’er it may be, to the blessed people;120 To whom, then, if thou wishest to ascend, A soul shall be for that than I more worthy; With her at my departure I will leave thee; Because that Emperor, who reigns above, In that I was rebellious to his law, Wills that through me none come into his city. He governs everywhere, and there he reigns; There is his city and his lofty throne; O happy he whom thereto he elects!” And I to him: “Poet, I thee entreat,130 By that same God whom thou didst never know, So that I may escape this woe and worse, Thou wouldst conduct me there where thou hast said, That I may see the portal of Saint Peter, And those thou makest so disconsolate.” Then he moved on, and I behind him followed.

Midway opens soon – 1 audience at a time so book early

photo and design by lacey creighton

www.midwayalongthejourneyofourlife.wordpress.com 

LECOQ>STANISLAVSKI>MASH-UP 3 Day Workshop

LECOQ>STANISLAVSKI>MASH-UP

A 3 Day Experimental Acting Workshop with TheatreRUN’s

Adam Paolozza

There are many well-worn clichés surrounding Lecoq and Stanislavski’s training methods: Lecoq actors are great movers but cannot speak or emote, while actors trained in the naturalistic way have great depth but little technique. Lecoq actors exaggerate too much, they’re all surface. Actors using Stanislavski’s methods are too small, it’s all on the inside.
One could say Lecoq taught the way of Body while Stanislavski the way of the Heart. 
If you ask me this is bullshit. Pure BS.

All great acting is physical, mental and emotional. Both Lecoq and Stanislavski looked at the Body, the Mind and the Heart. They were both looking deeper towards a holistic technique for the actor. They both asked, What does it mean to be onstage?

Q: How do we get beyond the prejudice and clichés surrounding Lecoq and Stanislavski and find an approach that brings them together?

A: A Mash-Up between these two theatrical giants of the 20th Century.

A Mash-Up is when you blend two previously existing things (usually songs) and seamlessly transform them into something new.
Transformation is the key here: by taking key concepts from Stanislavski and reinterpreting them through key exercises by Lecoq we want to transform the process and open up new possibilities for actor training.
We want to take ole’ Jacques and Constantin and mix’em up, mash’em together and see what happens.

This workshop will consist of 3 intensive days of exploration including:
*movement work
*scene study
*mask work
*improvisation
*text work 

This workshop is suitable for all performers who are curious, wish to experiment and take their existing craft further.

LECOQ>STANISLAVSKI>MASH-UP

A 3 Day Experimental Acting Workshop with TheatreRUN’s Adam Paolozza

JUNE 19, 20, 21st, 2013
11am-4pm Daily
@ Zuke Studios 
1581 Dupont Street 
(In the Junction – just West of Symington)

$150 + HST ($169) 
($50 deposit required to hold your spot)
*Discount available for all union members*
Some scholarships available

Contact Adam at theatrerun.ensemble(at)gmail.com to sign up or for more info.

DoubleDouble in Kitchener April 11-13

Our hit show The Double is playing four shows at Majdi Bou-Matar’s MT Space Theatre in Kitchener from Wednesday April 11 to Saturday April 13th!

Follow the progress of the show on twitter @adampaolozza

poster by lacey creighton

Date(s): 

Thu, Apr 11, 2013 – 8:00 pm

Fri, Apr 12, 2013 – 8:00 pm

Sat, Apr 13, 2013 – 2:00 pm

Sat, Apr 13, 2013 – 8:00 pm

Venue: 

The Courtyard at Bonnie Stuart

Box Office Information

Tickets: 

General Admission: $20 (HST incl.) / Students & Seniors: $15 (HST incl.) / eyeGO for High School students: $5 (HST incl.)

Box Office Email: 

info@mtspace.ca

Box Office Phone: 

519-585-7763

DOUBLEDOUBLE@tarragon2013/14DOUBLEDOUBLE

We are proud to announce that our Dora Award winning production of Dostoevsky’s The Double has been included in The Tarragon Theatre’s 2013/14 season. And in such esteemed company!

We are currently in the middle of a 3-week Workspace at Tarragon developing the piece further. Thanks to Richard Rose and all the Tarragon gang for their continuing support.

The Double will be running in October and November 2013.

Stay tuned for dates, times and ticket information

photo by lacey creighton

THE DOUBLE

Adapted for the stage by Adam Paolozza, Arif Mirabdolbaghi and Viktor Lukawski (with the assistance of Norah Sadava, Lisa Marie DiLiberto and Coleen MacPherson)

Directed by Adam Paolozza

Original Music by Arif Mirabdolbaghi (from the Juno nominated Canadian Metal band Protest The Hero)

Featuring Arif Mirabdolbaghi, Adam Paolozza and Viktor Lukawski

Lighting Design by Andre Du Toit

Set Design by Ken Mackenzie