FIFTEEN DOGS
- Crow's Theatre
- Based on the novel Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
- Marie Farsi
- Jan 10 - Feb 12, 2023
- Two hours and 40 minutes including intermission
- Guloien Theatre
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Details
“You can’t know what a life has been until it is over.”
–Fifteen Dogs, André Alexis
Is it possible to die happy?
That is the question the gods Hermes and Apollo ponder over a beer at the Wheatsheaf Tavern in Toronto. They make a bet, grant 15 dogs human consciousness, and watch from above as the pups discover the poetry and the pitfalls of complex thought and emotion.
In this modern-day fable of fate, faith, love, and language, the pack must reckon with morality and mortality and the profound relationships they share with humans.
Adapter and director Marie Farsi directed the wildly successful Ghost Quartet in 2019 for Crow’s Theatre, where she was Associate Artistic Director for two seasons. Marie is an award-winning theatre maker and film director primarily focused on the creation of new work. She has worked with exciting and innovative companies across Canada including Rumble Theatre, Théâtre La Seizième, Porte-Parole, Stratford Festival, Bard on the Beach, Arts Club in Vancouver, and Crow’s Theatre.
André Alexis was born in Trinidad and grew up in Canada. Fifteen Dogs, a global bestseller by the beloved Toronto writer, won the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, and Canada Reads. André’s most recent novel is Ring. His other books include Days by Moonlight which won the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, Asylum, Pastoral, The Hidden Keys, and The Night Piece: Collected Stories. André is the recipient of the prestigious American Windham Campbell Prize for literary achievement.
Content WarningDepictions of animal violence and death. For more information about the show and its content, please contact the box office.Download the house programme here:The Globe and Mail – Critic's Pick.Toronto Star – A must see, even for cat people.Next Magazine – Insightful play is brilliant adaptation of Giller-winning book.Intermission Magazine – A pawesome time at the theatre that barks up the right tree.Barcza Blog – I cannot recommend it highly enough.Opera Ramblings – Brilliant acting.FIFTEEN DOGS is the first play created by the new Crow’s Theatre Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund, supported by The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation. The Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund brings the work of Canadian fiction and non-fiction authors to the stage by optioning, commissioning, developing, and producing dramatic adaptations.
FIFTEEN DOGS Production Sponsors: The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, The Scott Griffin Foundation, Bob & Martie Sachs.
LAURA CONDLLN is a Toronto actor with 14 seasons at the Stratford Festival under her belt. Recently, she also appeared in You Can't Get There From Here vol 2. (Factory Theatre), The Norman Conquests (Soulpepper), Fun Home (The Musical Stage Company and Mirvish Productions), and the Crow's Theatre and Porte Parole production of The Watershed. In her downtime, you can find Laura with her amazing rescue dog Quigley.PETER FERNANDES is making his Crow's Theatre debut with FIFTEEN DOGS even though he has previously appeared on our stage in the smash hit Jerusalem (Outside the March and The Company Theatre). The Dora Award-winning actor recently performed in Almost a Full Moon (Citadel Theatre), and Damn Yankees (Shaw Festival). When not in the theatre you can find Peter with his precious puppy Pico.STEPHEN JACKMAN-TORKOFF was last seen on stage at Crow's Theatre in Towards Youth: A Play On Radical Hope with Project: Humanity. Stephen has appeared in productions of Every Little Nookie, Little Women (Stratford Festival), and Trout Stanley (Factory Theatre). Stephen's favourite co-star is the sweetest cutie pie, Benny, the dog in their life.TOM ROONEY, the Dora Award-winning actor delivered an incredible performance in Crow's Theatre's recent production of UNCLE VANYA, and has graced Crow's stages in productions of Someone Else, The Seagull, and The Wedding Party. In addition to12 years at the Stratford Festival, and numerous film and television roles, Tom recently appeared in Cyrano de Bergerac at the Shaw Festival.TYRONE SAVAGE is making his Crow's Theatre debut in FIFTEEN DOGS. Born in Stratford, he has appeared in many Stratford Festival productions including Hamlet, Death and the King's Horseman, Much Ado about Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, and The Grapes of Wrath. In his free time, Tyrone can be found at home with his sweet and loving rescue dog, Pantlufa.MIRABELLA SUNDAR SINGH, a multi-hyphenated actor, singer, musician and dancer–with a specialty in Bharathanatyam–is making her Crow's Theatre debut with FIFTEEN DOGS. A recent Sheridan College graduate, Mirabella has since appeared in the world premiere of Armadillos (Factory Theatre), New (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre), and Mamma Mia! (Drayton Entertainment).
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The Team
CAST
- Laura Condlln - Performer
- Peter Fernandes - Performer
- Stephen Jackman-Torkoff - Performer
- Tom Rooney - Performer
- Tyrone Savage - Performer
- Mirabella Sundar Singh - Performer
CREATIVE
- Marie Farsi - Adapter and Director
- André Alexis - Author
- Julie Fox - Set, Props, and Costume Designer
- Kimberly Purtell - Lighting Designer
- David Mesiha - Music and Sound Designer
- Sim Suzer - Costume Design Associate
- Imogen Wilson - Lighting Design Assistant
- Lisa Nighswander - Head of Props
- Jeff Hanson - Fight Director
- Andrew Dollar - Stage Manager
- Angela Mae Bago - Assistant Stage Manager