Robert Latimer new artistic director at First Stages Theatre Company

"I am very pleased to welcome you to my first season as Artistic Director of First Stages Theatre Company. It is an honour and a challenge to take up this position from Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus Diana Reis. This season's programme of playreadings is an eclectic mix of comedy, drama and music that is both heart-warming and funny, sometimes intense, always thought-provoking ... yet ultimately entertaining! New this season will be Sunday matinees for some performances. The 2006/2007 Season opens on Sunday, November 5TH at 3 o'clock with a premiere presentation of David Hare's VIA DOLOROSA. For detailed information on this and other productions, please click Programme on the above menu. Also new this season, we are offering two subscription packages and a revised single ticket price. Come and experience the power of the spoken word. I look forward to seeing you at The Capitol Theatre." ~ Robert Latimer, Artistic Director

First Stages Theatre was founded in 1999 by Canadian actor Diana Reis. Its debut presentation was TALLEY'S FOLLY by Landford Wilson and starred Diana Reis, Karl Pruner and Paul Soles. The performance was at The Capitol Theatre in Port Hope where the company has continued to present a five-play season every year since. In founding First Stages Ms. Reis set down a mission statement as follows: "The aim of First Stages Theatre Company is to present a unique eveing of theatre using its three essential elements: The Actor, The Play and The Audience. The Actors are among some of the most accomplished professionals in Canada today. The Plays include time-honoured classics and challenging new works. First Stages wishes to share its love of the spoken word and to provide stimulating and satisfying entertainment to the Audience."
The manner in which we present plays is best described as "staged concert readings". The actors perform the play, on stage, without the benefit of a rehearsal period or the support of full sets, costumes or props. The presentation is in the style of a concert with the actors reading from the script. The experience has been compared to "watching a radio play... with the emphasis on the text, the spoken word then ignites the imagination !"
The readings are enhanced with an informal talk-back following the performance. The audience is introduced to the actors and are then invited to comment and ask questions about what they have just seen and heard.