Pacific Theatre Presents The Lost Gospel Ensemble's THE MEAL, 4/11-14

Pacific Theatre will present Rick Maddocks' The Meal, a guest production by The Lost Gospel Ensemble where four singers swig wine and break bread while anxiously awaiting a late guest of honour.

It's the Last Supper told through a funky, theatrical new song cycle inspired by the Gospels of John, Thomas, Judas and Mary Magdalene, and Luis Buñuel's provocative film The Exterminating Angel. Featuring four singers, one for each of the four gospels that inspired the work, The Meal is absolutely unique in its approach to story telling.

In fact, the uniqueness of the piece was a bit of a surprise, even to composer Rick Maddocks: "words and music were welded together into a form that actually surprised me: a sort-of opera, a reimagining of gospel music that bridges different forms such as folk, jazz, country, rock and even poor-man's classical." Identifying himself as a non-Christian, Maddocks reflects on his motivation for creating this show, saying "The Meal tries to reimagine our world as if it's on the threshold of a spiritual and political movement without a name. Something primitive and strange and mysterious, and wide open to interpretation."

Featured on stage are some of Vancouver's hottest up-and-coming indie music stars including Lucien Durey (vocals), Sean Fulton (keyboards), Jody Glenham (vocals), Stephen Lyons (drums), Rick Maddocks (composer/vocals), Caleb Stull (vocals), and Jon Wood (bass). Directed by Richard Wolfe (The Busy World is Hushed).

Details: THE MEAL by Rick Maddocks
When: April 11-14, Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm with 2pm matinee Saturday and a 10:30pm late-night performance Friday
Where: Pacific Theatre, 1440 West 12th Ave (at Hemlock St), Vancouver, BC
Tickets: $16.50-29.50 (HST not incl.) – to reserve call 604.731.5518, or visit pacifictheatre.org.