In The Trenches – Toronto Fringe 2011 Press Release

From press release

EX-SOLDIER TURNED PLAYWRIGHT CAPTURES
THE COMEDIC FRINGES OF WORLD WAR I

Set in World War I France, In The Trenches is an original, fast paced, dark comedy written by Peter Sawyer, an ex-soldier turned actor/comedian, and David Rutherford, an abstract oil painter turned graduate of the London School of EconomicsIn the Trenches shines the  spotlight on a group of eight young (and not so young) Canadians in their “home away from home” a trench at the front, where the smell of fear is overwhelmed by the smell of each other.  As they fight the enemy and the daily grind of life in the trenches, they soon learn that bullets and shells are the least of their problems.  In eight hilariously moving vignettes, In the Trenches takes the audience on an intimate, sharply funny journey, as our Canadian “heroes” battle their enemy, around and within.

Writer, director, composer, performer Peter Sawyer spent five years with The Canadian Armed Forces where he served with The First Canadian Signals Regiment out of CFB Kingston before taking a high level clearance posting in the Arctic.   War is Hell, but it’s also funny, so stand-up comedy became the natural next step after the army.  Peter spent a number of years appearing at The Laugh Resort and Just for Laughs.  His television acting credits include J.J Abrams “Fringe”, “Good Dog”, The Jane Show and numerous commercials.  Peter is a professional musician and In The Trenches features an original song he wrote for the banjo.  Along with its theatrical debut, In The Trenches is also being developed as a project for television.

Writer David Rutherford is a former advertising copywriter, Zamboni driver, artist, art critic, humour columnist and cartoonist, who is currently employed as a marketing executive in the financial services industry. David holds a Masters degree in Media and Communications from the London School of Economics, and is a multiple award winner in the fields of marketing and advertising. In The Trenches marks David’s first playwriting effort.

In The Trenches … a bloody good laugh!

Sawshack Productions in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents:

In The Trenches

written by Peter Sawyer and David Rutherford
directed by Peter Sawyer, Assistant Director – Scott Norman
Stage Manager –  Emily Macnaughton
STARRING: Nick Biskupek, James Lucas Byron, Greg Dunham, Brandon Gillespie Chris Boyle, Adam Thibert, Claudiu Stefu, Marcus Haccius, Peter Sawyer
Opens  Fri July 8  7:00 pm – Sun July 17 3:30 pm

SHOWTIMES:
Fri July 8  7:00 pm
Sat July 9 11:00  pm
Mon July 11 2:45 pm
Tue, July 12 7:00 pm
Thur July 14 9:45 pm
Fri July 15  1:45 pm
Sun July 17 3:30 pm

George Ignatieff Theatre – 15 Devonshire Place

Tix $10
FOR TIX CALL FRINGE HOTLINE: 416 966-1062