In This Economy at Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse

Toronto Film School brings its production of In This Economy to the stage this month.

The 75-minute musical satire was conceived and directed by Tanya Rintoul, who said something just ‘clicked into place’ the first time she read the play with her fifth term Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre students.

“I was struck by how the actors intuitively played together and I was completely taken aback by how current the conversation of the play feels. We needed to do this play,” she said, noting that, despite the fact that the original play was set in 1920s London, England, the desperation of its characters is something she sees in the streets of Toronto today.

“The characters in this play, like so many people living here in Toronto today, are all actively surviving their circumstances. Some of those circumstances are much better than others, but none contain a life of comfort and security. When everyone is surviving, empathy starts to wear thin.”

In This Economy, which is stage managed by Hayley Kent, will take to the stage at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse for a three-performance run on June 21, 22 and 23 as follows:

• Wednesday, June 21 at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, June 22 at 9 p.m.
• Friday, June 23 at 7 p.m.

The Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse is located at 79 St. George St. Tickets are free and are available at the door.