For Immediate Release:
January 15, 2001
A northern tale
The House of Pootsie Plunket gets a frozen Fringe First
"the perfect balance of elevated poetry, absurdist humour and down-home Canadian slang" - Vue Weekly
"possibly the most extraordinary piece of theatre I have ever seen" - The Scotsman
Spring be damned: this February, the Cultch will transport theatregoers to the wintry landscape of Catalyst Theatre's The House of Pootsie Plunket.
Catalyst's production won a prestigious Edinburgh Fringe First in 1999, and is touring western Canada before returning to the U.K. in March. Written and directed by Jonathan Christensen and Joey Tremblay, The House of Pootsie Plunket is a weird and wonderful journey to the north. Pootsie and her baby brother Kirbus are trying to save their family heritage from being destroyed by their mother and her sleazy southern boyfriend. Inspired by by the story of Electra, this adult fairy tale is darkly funny, moving and magical, and has been described as a cross between Greek tragedy and Fargo.
Since 1996, Edmonton's Catalyst Theatre has been creating starkly original plays with fairy tale plots that are at once absurdly tragic and grotesquely comic. Their work is distinguished by its bold physicality, beautiful and brutal poetry, and designs evoking strange, mythic worlds inspired by the prairies.
The House of Pootsie Plunket features Sian Williams, Julianna Barclay, Dov Mickelson, and Joey Tremblay. Set, costume and lighting design by Brette Gerecke. Sound design by Jonathan Christenson. The House of Pootsie Plunket runs February 20-24, 2001 at 8pm, with a 2-for-1 matinée at 5pm on Saturday, February 24. Tickets are $26 general, $20 for students and seniors. The House of Pootsie Plunket is also part of the VECC's subscription series. Subscribers can see three shows in the VECC's 2000-2001 season for just $48.
The VECC and Rumble Productions present
catalyst theatre's
The House of Pootsie Plunket
February 20-24, 2001 8pm
2-for-1 matinée Saturday, February 24 5pm
Vancouver East Cultural Centre
1895 Venables Street (at Victoria)