Dead Talks – Toronto Fringe 2018 Press Release

From Press Release

Two disembodied souls find themselves stuck in ‘purgatory’ – a strange and mystical place where they must come to terms with past sins in order to be reborn again into a new life on earth.

An enigmatic Guide helps these souls confront and understand their past, focusing on a sexual assault incident that deeply affected both of them. Ben, an arrogant publisher, is the accused perpetrator (Harvey Weinstein type) and Sylvie, his supposed victim, is a young troubled feminist writer.

What happens here will determine whether they get a shot at a fresh life or whether their souls end up downstairs… in the fiery abyss.

Playwrights Rebecca and Josh, hit upon an idea: a contemporary take on the ‘Me Too’ movement from a dual female/male perspective. Many incidents in the play have parallels to recent news and tabloid events. The setting, a kind of multi-faith purgatory, was inspired by notions of rebirth. Purgatory allows for tackling the bigger questions from a philosophical perspective. Though practical matters (i.e. the court system) are touched upon, we are concerned with the larger goal of ‘repairing the world’ as men and women going forward in generations to come.

DEAD Talks entertains and provokes discussion about this ‘Me Too’ world we are all living in.

Details

  • DEAD Talks plays at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace. (30 Bridgman Ave.)
  • Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
  • Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
  • Content Warnings: Mature language; Sexual content.
  • This venue is barrier-free. Designated accessible seating is in the middle of the auditorium.
  • Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

  • Wednesday July 4th, 6:45 pm
  • Friday July 6th, 10:30 pm
  • Sunday July 8th, 3:15 pm
  • Tuesday July 10th, 6:30 pm
  • Thursday July 12th, 4:00 pm
  • Saturday July 14th, 7:00 pm
  • Sunday July 15th, 12:00 pm

Photo: Norah Morris.