Necessary Angel Theatre Company and bluemouth inc. to Present COMES IN WAVES

Necessary Angel Theatre Company and bluemouth inc. present It Comes in Waves, an immersive performance following one man's journey through the threshold of life and death. Under the direction of acclaimed theatre artist and Necessary Angel's artistic director, Jennifer Tarver, this unforgettable night begins at Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Center (283 Queens Quay W) where audiences board warrior canoes and paddle to the seclusion of Toronto Island. While venturing through field and forest, making merry at a surprise party, and betting it all in a game of strip poker, audiences help a man prepare for the greatest journey of his life.

Running July 13 to 24, It Comes in Waves was commissioned to be part of the PanAm Games' arts and culture festival, PANAMANIA presented by CIBC.

"Over ten years ago, I was struck by the work of a daring young collective of compelling artists known as bluemouth inc.," said Tarver. "Their work stood out for me. It spoke differently, from a different angle, and asked me to listen and respond in a way that no other production had done. Space was alive and unpredictable. The performers disarmed all expectations of behaviour, the shape and nature of meaning, and the level of flexibility in the audience/performer relationship. So it was with great enthusiasm that I responded when they approached me to come on board this project as a director, with Necessary Angel as a co-producer."

Written by Jordan Tannahill with bluemouth inc., and featuring an ensemble cast comprised of Dan Wild, bluemouth inc. artistic directors Ciara Adams, Stephen O'Connell, and Lucy Simic, and Richard Windeyer who plays several instruments alongside Gabi Charron Merritt - It Comes in Waves is a unique hybrid of dance, song, theatre, and installation exploring the ageless question of how we confront our own mortality (and that of our loved ones).

Designers Andjelijia Djuric, Patrick Lavender and Richard Windeyer have worked together to transform Toronto Island into a world between worlds, a space that is both whimsical and melancholic, while subtly working with the island's natural landscape. Live and recorded music is used throughout the production to heighten the experience, beginning with the initial canoe trip. Audiences end the evening with a ride home via private water taxi, and are treated to a breathtaking view of the city's skyline.

"The piece was initially inspired by a transformative trip in 2010 to Cape Clear, a small island off the southern coast of Ireland," said bluemouth inc. "Concurrent to that trip a number of us had recently experienced the intimate loss of an immediate loved one. We began with the notion of grief and decided to create a communal response to absence as a remedy to these emotions and as an homage to those people who have significantly impacted our individual lives."

It Comes in Waves runs July 13 to 18 and 20 to 24, audiences meet at Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak (283 Queens Quay W) at 7:40 p.m. The experience is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes long, including breaks for singing and party planning. Refreshments will be served. Tickets from $30 to $47 are available online at eventbrite.ca.

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