The Next Folding Theatre Company prepares to perform the first live-reading of the play LAKE by Jordan Tannahill at Up Wine Bar tonight. The reading will be recorded in front of a live audience.
Thomas Fanjoy, a director at Fredericton’s The Next Folding Theatre Company, has undertaken the task of executing the first performance of LAKE in the form of a live-reading. He hopes to receive a very large and diverse audience and to branch out further into the art community.
“We did our first full season last year and I think we made a big splash. The three shows we did were each very successful. The audience attendance was far greater than what we anticipated and we’ve had good reviews. I’ve had many people express interest in doing projects with us, from the most experienced actors in town to those just starting out, which is amazing,” said Fanjoy.
Along with LAKE, Fanjoy has directed three separate productions including Chicken Hearts and Baby Onions (NFTC), Lawrence and Holloman (TNB) and Train Ride (Notable Acts).
Fanjoy has been directing for three years, but he also finds passion on stage as an actor.
“I’ve always like stories, but I love characters. […] I think there is an infinite amount of truth to be found in a simple interaction between two people.”
LAKE promises of great energy and dark premises. The play is a character driven story about a disconnected family dealing with cancer. The story illustrates how a family becomes a unit, despite all their wishes to be apart from each other.
“It is an easily engaging piece with heavy themes,” said Fanjoy.
LAKE is the first play of four in the NFTC’s Live Audio Workshop Series that the company will be doing this year.
“These scripts we choose for this series are most-likely not well known, nor have they been produced, nor been given any life at all,” said Fanjoy. “This town is full of talent. [These] normally non-attendees would be compelled by the stories and their characters. I know I work hard to create a production that intrigues an audience, as well as giving them a full and satisfying story. Like a steak. Anyone who enjoys a good story would enjoy stories from our local theatres.”
LAKE will feature performances by a few of Fredericton’s talented actors. Ryan O’Toole, an upcoming independent local filmmaker and student at UNB, is one the many actors performing in the show.
“I wanted to audition for some shows of theirs, but was ultimately too busy for a major commitment […] I think they’re doing fantastic theatre and I’d definitely love to be a bigger part of the company in the future.”
The reading of LAKE is O’Toole’s first time performing with The Next Folding Theatre Company.
“[…] I’ve seen some of the work the company has done, so when I was asked to be a part of this [production] it was a quick yes.”
LAKE will be performed at Up Wine Bar, 426 Queen Street, upstairs from the Garrison District Ale House, Oct 23 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at the door. $7 for general admission. $5 for students/seniors.
Stay tuned this year for upcoming plays by The Next Folding Theatre Company’s Live Audio Workshop Series.
