1S1 Theatre Presents Inaugural Production: Lady M (Margaret) at Summerworks Performance Festival
This August, 1s1 presents their premiere production of Lady M (Margaret), written and directed by Ramesh Mayyappan. This play is a new, Deaf-led adaptation of Macbeth that explores Shakespeare’s famous power couple with an intersectional experience for both Deaf and hearing audiences. A uniquely visual and physical adaptation, this production will focus primarily on Lady Macbeth delving into her rich and complicated relationships.
A story of a mother’s grief. Without a child there seems little purpose. Resentment and anger build in an exploration of what happens when a heart is broken and the heartache never fades…the dull ache becomes resentment and then anger. This is what drives Lady M (Margaret). Searching for a purpose her hardened heart will lead her to do the unimaginable to get what she wants. Her desire for power to keep her family leads to haunting guilt and swelling paranoia.
The Lady M team features Ramesh Mayyappan, whose work is internationally known for its unique universal language of gesture and imagery in telling a story with minimal spoken or signed language for both Deaf and hearing audiences. The piece also features Dawn Jani Birley, Founder of 1s1 Theatre, as Lady M (Prince Hamlet, Canadian Stage/Why Not Theatre), Sturla Alvsvåg as Macbeth, and Joshua Bosworth as Duncan.
“Deaf-led projects by culturally and linguistically Deaf professional artists are so rare in Canada. In order to build authentic bridges of intercultural exchanges between Deaf and hearing communities, it is vital for Deaf artists to have a say – or be empowered and supported in telling our own stories – rather than being portrayed in ways we have been systemically perceived.”
–Dawn Jani Birley | Performer in Lady M
August 5 to 12, 2023
Franco Boni Theatre, The Theatre Centre
1115 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario
Saturday August 5th 7:00 PM (Opening)
Tuesday August 8th 7:00 PM
Wednesday August 9th 7:00 PM
Thursday August 10th 7:00 PM
Friday August 11th 7:00 PM
Saturday August 12th 1:30 PM
Saturday August 12th 7:00 PM
Mature themes and language, including infant mortality, gun shots, haze, allusions to sexual assault, and onstage depictions of violence.
60 minutes no intermission.
Ramesh Meyyappan — Director
Dawn Jani Birley — Lady Macbeth
Sturla Alvsvåg — Macbeth
Joshua Bosworth — Duncan
Julia Dickson — Producer
Patrick Lynn -— Production Manager
Michelle Soicher — Stage Manager
Andre du Toit — Lighting Designer
Jung-Hye Kim — Set Designer
Carlyn Rahusaar Routledge — Costume Designer
Jenna Geen — Sound Designer/Composer
Daniel Levinson — Fight Director
Additional producing and development support by Michelle Yagi and Miriam Fernandes
A 1s1 Production, Co-Presented by Why Not Theatre.
Lady M (Margaret) has been made possible through the generous support of:
Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, Lindy Green Family Foundation, TD Ready Commitment.
