Interstellar Elder is what it sounds like: a dark physical comedy about 300-year-old woman traveling through outer space. One geriatric astronaut is entrusted with caring for the spaceship's cryogenically frozen 'human cargo': the last of humankind, hiding out and waiting for Earth to heal so that they may return to earth and begin a new civilization. Interstellar Elder premieres as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival with shows July 7th - July 15th 2017 at The Theatre Centre.
In this futuristic scenario, North American Prime Minister Justin Bieber takes it upon himself to end world hunger by deforesting the continent to plant thousands of acres of genetically-modified swiss chard. This Superfood takes over the entire planet, choking out all other forms of life and forcing a human exodus into space. "So we're working with hyper-realism," teases Hansen, one of the show's creators.
Having won this year's coveted CAFF Lottery, Hansen will be touring to nine Fringes across Canada including Toronto, notoriously the toughest spots to secure with only 160 places for 730 applicants. This mix of luck and perseverance is not lost on Hansen: "This is my second time winning the CAFF lottery in the past three years, whereas some artists have applied for CAFF every year for the past two decades and never been drawn. If I win CAFF a third time, I expect death threats from other fringe artists."
Ingrid Hansen is a multi-award-winning performer and playwright best known in Toronto for SNAFU's shows Kitt & Jane: An Interactive Survival Guide to the Near-Post-Apocalyptic Future (Toronto Fringe 2014, Best New Play Award from the Playwright's Theatre Centre) andSnack Music (Next Stage Festival 2015,) and her collaboration with Ginette Mohr and Kate Fenton performing in Mohr's play The Truth About Comets (Best of Toronto Fringe 2014.) Interstellar Elder is directed by SNAFU Co-Artistic Director Kathleen Greenfield, and choreographed by Atomic Vaudeville's Britt Small, who directed the Dora-Award-Winning Canadian musical Ride the Cyclone.
Interstellar Elder has only seven performances at the 2017 Toronto Fringe and is expected to sell out fast, so snap up tickets in advance for this one or you might get left stranded on earth.
INTERSTELLAR ELDER is produced by theatre company SNAFU
Playing at the 2017 TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL
Co-Created and Directed by Kathleen Greenfield
Co-Created and Performed by Ingrid Hansen
Choreographed by Britt Small
Dramaturgy by Emma Zabloski
Dates:
Friday July 7th - 5:45PM
Sunday July 9th - 3:30PM
Monday July 10th - 8:45PM
Tuesday July 11th - 2:45PM
Wednesday July 12th - 11:00PM
Thursday July 13th - 3:30PM
Saturday July 15th - 7:00PM
Venue: The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St W
Tickets: $12 online at fringetoronto.com
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