Russian Branch of Antonin Artaud's Theatre in Toronto: "Voluspa" & "A Hunt For a Sweet Little Deer", August 29, September 6-7

Screenshot: Shows in Toronto: Teatralnaya Laboratoriya of Vadim Maksimov
Credit: teatr-labor.ru

Dear friends,

Now we have here in Toronto for a very short time one of the most unorthodox Russian theatre directors, Vadim Maksimov, the professor of Theatre Arts at St. Petersburg State Theatre Academy (Russia), the Chair of "Western Theatre" department of this Academy, scientist concentrating on Antonin Artaud's theatre and a practicing theatre director who has his own style within the "Artaud theatre" concept.
In 1984 for such practicing he established an experimental "Theatre Laboratory" (Teatral’naiia Laboratoriia), which productions prepare and run constantly.

This week Maksimov’s "Laboratory" gives just only one performance of his "Voluspa" production (aka "The Prophecy of Violva") in Toronto, which completely demonstrates the mentioned above style of Maksimov; a piece taken from the early medieval German epos (The Elder Edda). In September he takes this production to the Mont-Laurier International Theatre Festival in Quebec.
BELOW SEE THE DETAILS ON THIS PRODUCTION IN TORONTO.

There’s also a certain experiment that Vadim Maksimov and I conduct and for which he came to Toronto. Specifically, Maksimov will apply his methods of directing to stage my play "Melody Ranch Escape or A Hunt For A Sweet Little Deer", which I wrote in such a way that its non-traditional context is hidden, so that on the surface it looks very traditional. Maksimov noticed this and in his staging he wants to achieve similar effect: on the surface - relatively traditional methods, while in essence he will merge it with the "Artaud theatre" concept.
BELOW SEE THE DETAILS ON THIS PRODUCTION IN TORONTO.

Both productions are in Russian, but for such kind of theatre this seems not relevant, plus, we will provide a very helpful synopsis for each performance (for “Voluspa” the description of characters in program completely reveals the story; for “A Hunt…” we give a synopsis for each scene).

We will be happy if you come to just enjoy and/or to judge this work. We will appreciate any criticism.

HERE ARE THE PRODUCTION RUN DETAILS:

"Voluspa": tickets $20, at the door
August 29, 2009, at 8 PM
Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
2 Sussex Ave, Toronto (St. George Street and Sussex Avenue; St. George subway, exit to St. George)

"A Hunt For A Sweet Little Deer": tickets $20, at the door
September 6, 2009, at 8 PM
Central Auditorium of the North York Central Public Library
5120 Yonge Street, North York

September 7, 2009, at 8 PM
George Ignatieff Theatre, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
15 Devonshire Place, Toronto (Devonshire Place is a street that starts from Bloor; St. George subway, exit to Bedford Avenue)

See you there.

Yours,

Vladimir Milman

link:
The Arts Junction: Russian-Canadian Collaborative Theatre Project in Toronto

Russian-Canadian Collaborative Theatre Project in Toronto

Poster: Voluspa, Innis Town Hall Theatre, August 29, 2009
Teatralnaya Laboratoriya of Vadim Maksimov
Credit: teatr-labor.ru

The Russian House Community Center is organizing a collaborative theatre project including Canadian and Russian actors in order to promote cultural and artistic exchange and share of innovation skills of an experimental theatre art.

The Russian experimental theatre from St. Petersburg Theatre Lab of Vadim Maksimov (Teatralnaya Laboratoriya Vadima Maksimova) would arrive to Canada to product and perform together with Canadian actors a play written by Canadian play writer, as well as to perform their ongoing plays.

The first show "Voluspa" after Nordic epic will be performed on the stage of Innis Town Hall Theatre and and the second play will be "A Hunt For a Sweet Little Dear" - the show which will be produced in cooperation of two Russian and two Canadian actors. This play of Vladimir Milman will be directed by Vadim Maksimov.

Teatralnaya Laboratoria of Vadim Maksimov
St. Petersburg, Russia presents:

"Völuspá"
(mono-vesion)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Time: 8:00 pm
Innis Town Hall Theatre (University of Toronto)
2 Sussex Ave., Toronto, ON
Tickets: $20.00 at the door
Author: Vadim Maksimov
Director: Vadim Maksimov
Voluspa: Oxana Svoyskaya

"A Hunt For a Sweet Little Dear"
Sunday, September 6
Time: 8:00 pm
North York Central Library
5120 Yonge St., Toronto, ON
Tickets: $20.00 at the door

Monday, September 7
Time: 8:00 pm
George Ignatieff Theatre
Trinity College, Larkin Building (NW corner)
15 Devonshire Place, Toronto, ON
Tickets: $20.00 at the door

Author: Vladimir Milman
Director: Vadim Maksimov

More information on these productions can be found
on the web site: www.teatr-labor.ru
or the blog: http://community.livejournal.com/teatr_labor/

Poster: A Hunt For a Sweet Little Dear, North York Central Library, September 6, 2009
George Ignatieff Theatre, September 7, 2009
Teatralnaya Laboratoriya of Vadim Maksimov & Cultural Diversity Theatre "Phoenix"
Credit: teatr-labor.ru

About the Theatre
Teatralnaya Laboratoriya (The Theatre Lab) of Vadim Maksimov is the only theatre in Russia that works with using of Antonin Artaud’s system.

The theatre exists already 25 years. During this time Laboratoriya has produced more than 20 performances based on world classics as well as on modern European drama.

Director and founder of Laboratoriya is Professor of St. Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy Vadim Maksimov, expert in French theater.

The main principle of Laboratoriya’s performances is a rhythmic and psychoenergetic act of organization, an integration of voice, gesture and word into a unified impulse, which has a profound affect on the audience’s perceptions.

links:
The Arts Junction: Russian Branch of Antonin Artaud's Theatre in Toronto: "Voluspa" & "A Hunt For a Sweet Little Deer", August 29, September 6-7
by Vladimir Milman
russianhouse.ca: Russian-Canadian Theatre project in August 2009
infobar.ba: Völuspa @ Teatarfest 2009 - Sloga , Sarajevo
doryoku.org: topic - www.teatr.

Invitation to Fundraiser for the Film "Final Dance", Screenplay by Vladimir Milman

Poster: "Final Dance" by Frank Caruso

Caruso Visual Productions
Presents a Film by Frank Caruso

Final Dance

It's about artists, immigrants
and lonely souls that just don't fit in.
It's also about love - and dance!

Based on the Award Winning Play
Couldn't We Be
by Vladimir Milman

Starring
Jane Milman & Srdjan Nikolic

Original Score: Vezi Tayyeb
Director of Photography: Jason Guerriere
Executive Producer: David J. Woods
Director & Producer: Frank Caruso

I invite my friends and colleagues to attend this Friday night fund-raising wine and cheese party for the feature film by my screenplay. It is being organized by film producer and director Frank Caruso. I'd simply much appreciate it if you come and if you could further spread a word.

Date: Friday, Feb. 6, 2009
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: 2765 Lakeshore Blvd. West, suite 207 (just east of Islington)

Thank you!

Vladimir Milman

link:
The Arts Junction: First Impression: Couldn't We Be, Phoenix Theatre, Toronto
by Anya

First Impression: Couldn't We Be, Phoenix Theatre, Toronto

First Impression: Couldn't We Be, Phoenix Theatre
A Play by Vladimir Milman; Directed by Art Babayants; Phoenix Cultural Diversity Theatre
July 26-27, 2008; Palmerston Library Theatre; Toronto, ON, Canada

Couldn't We Be
Drama (and ballroom dance): She is well-settled, 19. He is 40, no prospects for the future... Couldn't we be: two artistic maverick souls....
The plot of the play is based on a true story: two artistic souls run across each other in the contemporary world of pragmatic indifference. She is the only child of two well-settled and practically oriented parents, who have anticipated a certain life path for her, while he is a 40 years old recent newcomer to Canada, an actor with poor English and no prospects for the future. As the story develops, we can see where this takes the two maverick souls.

Couldn’t We Be

Anyone who has experienced immigration knows that it is not easy. The culture shock, language barrier, unemployment are only a few obstacles ready for a fresh immigrant. And if a newcomer is gifted and aiming for success it is often a tragedy when the great expectations aren’t met. The play "Couldn’t We Be" by Vladimir Milman presents a drama of a Russian immigrant actor that struggles to stay true to his art despite the adversity of life in an alien environment. In his search for accomplishment and creation, he sacrifices everything he holds dear, his country, his family and his love for one purpose; and that purpose is devotion to life even when it’s gone.

In the play the work of an artist is a desire to live passionately and Vikenty Varchuk is an actor who came out of obscure poverty in Ukraine and rose to stardom as an actor in Moscow, hoping to conquer the rest of the world he decides to come to Toronto. But here, at his late age and in foreign culture, he faces what many immigrants go through, he is not needed; he lives on the street and has only one activity – teaching dance to a very young woman named Julia, who is also of Russian descent. What transpires is a meeting of different generations of immigration - one Russian, that has just arrived and another that is culturally Canadian and yet spiritually Russian.

The age difference, religious backgrounds and outlooks on life are presented in lively and humorous scenes. Julia’s parents portrayed a Russian Canadian family native to Toronto with Ukrainian background and Jewish heritage. Even though Vikenty is accepted by the family and is loved by Julia, he is different; Julia has a gift of an actress - the love of life, and Vikenty wants to achieve perfection and yet is completely alone. In Toronto he is not known and the problem is how Julia and he could be together. This is a story of true love, true art and it is also a true story.

The actors conveyed emotions very naturally with pathos and heart. Jane Milman was very passionate and spirited in her expressions and danced beautifully. She was particularly honest in showing Julia’s emotions, and excitement about life. Marie Carriere Gleason was wild playing Julia’s eccentric mother, throwing tantrums and fits, many mothers can be associated with this character. Philip Soiffer portrayed a calm, understanding and wise father figure; he was a vital contrast to Julia’s mother. Peter Nelson was genuinely Russian in his portrayal of Vikenty and the Russian condition: "I expressed what is truly inside Vikenty’s heart, which is loneliness," says Peter Nelson.

There are great dances and music in the play, the director is Art Babayants. He has recently come from Moscow where he has his own musical theatre. 'Couldn’t we be' is his first dramatic production in Toronto of Vladimir Milman’s play. It is also the first time that the play is performed in English by Canadian actors. It is performed on July 27-28 at Palmerston Library Theatre. "I care for struggling artists that have to find ways to survive for the sake of art, which is why I wanted to show the story of an artist Vikenty," says Art Babayants.

Vladimir Milman dedicated the story to Leonid Grill.

2008 © Anya

links:
Phoenix Theatre New Production: Couldn't We Be
livewithculture.ca: Couldn't We Be

Phoenix Theatre New Production: Couldnʼt We Be

Poster: New Production of "PHOENIX - Cultural Diversity Theatre" Couldnʼt We Be
true love...true art...true story

Dear Friends,

I am happy to invite you to the new production of "PHOENIX - Cultural Diversity Theatre" called Couldnʼt We Be.
I'm co-producing it with Peter Nelson, a member of Canadian Actorsʼ Equity Association, and I will be very pleased to see you there.

The plot is based on a true story: two artistic souls run across each other in the contemporary world of pragmatic indifference. Only she is the only child of two well-settled and practically oriented parents, who have anticipated a certain life path for her, while he is a 40 years old recent newcomer to Canada, an actor with poor English and no prospects for the future.

Come and see where it takes the two maverick souls and how the story ends.

Written by: Vladimir Milman (Toronto, Canada)
Directed by: Art Babayants (Moscow, Russia)
Starring: Marie Carriere Gleason, Jane Milman, Peter Nelson and Philip Soiffer

Dates/Times: Saturday, July 26 at 4 and 7 PM;
Sunday, July 27 at 2 (PWYC) and 6 PM

Location: Palmerston Library Theatre
560 Palmerston Avenue, Toronto, ON
in front of the Bathurst Subway station (exit to Markham road)
Municipal parking is available.

Tickets: $20, students/seniors - $15;
can be ordered in advanced and/or picked up at the door

See you there.

Yours,

Vladimir Milman

Information:
416-978-1671
416-633-7720
vmilman@oisa.utoronto.ca

Screenparty: You’re Invited!

Postcard: ScreenParty, Hosted by Cameron Bailey

I was pretty excited to read an invitation from Vladimir Milman to the “Screenparty," a cast and crew screening hosted by Cameron Bailey. It will be this Sunday, March 18th 2007.

“If you look closely you might recognize somebody in the first picture... Yes, true, that's me,”- wrote Vladimir.

Our congratulations to him for another big achievement. We have a proverb in Russia that says: a talented person is talented in everything. I believe it is about Vladimir.
It will be superb to go and get a sneak view of this event just in between the Russian Poetry Club’s and the Toronto Oblomov Society’s meetings.

Four short films will screen: Rock Garden: A Love Story, Last Year at Killaloe, Tell Us the Truth About Josephine, and Babysitting Andy. 7:36pm, free admission.

Location: Innis Town Hall, Innis College
Address: 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto ON, M5S 1J5
Innis Townhall is located within Innis College on the University of Toronto's downtown campus, at the NW corner of St. George Street and Sussex Avenue, just south of Bloor Street. It is a five minute walk from the nearest subway stop, St. George Station.

It is the same place where was a screening of "Our Motherland" by with Vitaly Mansky and a discussion with him after the film.

Rock Garden: A Love Story (2006)

Description: A fable about a man, his rocks, the neighbour who covets them, and the flower than transformed them all.

Province: Ontario
Discipline(s): Animation
Drama

Duration: 00:05:00
Credit(s):
Irving Dobbs, Actor
Vladimir Milman, Actor
William Chang, Animator
Gloria Kim, Director
Joshua Allen, Director Of Photography
Tiffany Beaudin, Editor
Rosalinds Mills, Music
Gloria Kim, Producer
Sandra Paolucci, Producer
Gloryous Productions, Production Company
Gloria Kim, Writer

Credit: Bravo!FACT | A Foundation To Assist Canadian Talent

Details: innis town hall upcoming events

Is it like YouTube? Let's go, and we will be on Google Video or at least on Flickr.

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