After this production closes Tony goes straight into an “epic fall” with an apprentice position at Vancouver Opera, where he will be ASMing the world premiere of Lillian Alling.

Human Theatre would also like to thank the participants who came from all over the lower mainland and as far away as California and Virginia; taking the time and energy to make this workshop possible. Also to Attic Salt and Capilano Univeristy, we owe a great deal of gratitude for donating space and sharing administrative duties.

If you missed out on this great opportunity, don’t despair, discussion is already underway for a similar workshop in August 2011. Stay tuned for more information on this as we confirm dates. You can subscribe to the newsletter for up to the minute information.

We have participants coming from far and wide and a fantastic venue, so it is a great opportunity to train with like-minded artists and walk the boards of a 475-seat theatre.

SITI core members Ellen Lauren and J. Ed Araiza will teach classes in the Suzuki Method of Actor Training and the Viewpoints. The classes are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The project was conceived, scripted and rehearsed through the collaborative efforts of nineteen performers, two music composers and three choreographers. Based on Atkins’ adaptation, the performers created scenarios and vignettes illustrating the strata of the Inferno. Dante pulled no punches in the original 13th century poem, writing it entirely in the vernacular Italian language (instead of Latin) and populating hell with the corrupt popes, politicians and merchants of his own time; subjecting them to ironic and satirical punishments. It was meant to be a poem for the people, not the learned few; a dark comedy with a poignant message.

In this adaptation, the audience is lead through hell by two entrepreneurial tour guides who offer a “walking tour of the underworld” while up-selling the audience on merchandise. As the evening progresses, the tables turn and the audience must fend for itself, guided by a heavenly angel through the City of Dis. In the end, evil is contemplated through the lens of the modern, contemporary world, bringing hell closer to home. Dante’s Inferno: Living Hell played for two weeks in Brisbane’s historic Old Museum.

Browse the photo gallery below.

Production Credits:

Creative/Technical:
Stephen Atkins – Director
AlanJohn Jones – Designer
Ben Hughes – Lighting Designer
Dale Hubbard – Composer
Dale Thorburn – Choreographer
Hannah Myers – Producer, Performer
Anthony Wade-Cooper – Stage Manager
Allie Colclough – Technical Manager
Louise Hales – Front-Of-House Manager
Tamara Poole – Education Liaison Officer