Geordie Productions welcomes back the acclaimed stage adaptation of Hana’s Suitcase to Montreal
“How extraordinary that this humble suitcase has enabled children all over the world to learn, through Hana’s story, the terrible history of what happened and it continues to urge them to heed the warnings of history” ~ Desmond Tutu
As part of its 35th anniversary celebration, Geordie Productions tips its cap to fellow TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) company Young People’s Theatre of Toronto, who is celebrating its 50th, and revisits a highlight production by presenting Hana’s Suitcase. Written by Montrealer Emil Sher, the critically acclaimed play will be presented as part of Geordie’s Mainstage Series which returns to the D.B. Clarke
Theatre from November 6 – 15, 2015
A battered old suitcase arrives from Auschwitz to the Tokyo Holocaust Educational Resource Centre in Japan in March of 2000. Only 3 things are written on its side: “Hanna Brady”, “ May 16, 1931” and “Waisenkind” (“orphan”). Its mystery elicits such curiosity and questions for the children who see it that the Centre’s curator, Fumiko Ishioka, goes off on a journey across Europe and North America to unveil the story of Hana Brady.
Based on the multi-award winning bestseller by Canadian author Karen Levine, Hana’s Suitcase is a true story of recovered identity. Employing a cast of eight and using multi-media and other innovative staging techniques, the play takes place between Tokyo in 2000, when the children and Ishioka begin their search and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s and 40s, where Hana and her family ultimately became victims of the Nazis.
The story, beautifully adapted by Emil Sher, brings hope to the present through the character of Hana’s brother, George Brady, who now lives in Toronto.
Since the first time the story of Hana’s Suitcase was told in a radio documentary, it has been published as a book translated into over 10 languages and is available in more than 30 countries. The book is part of the curriculum for many schools, and the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre has developed an exhibit and a Study Unit to accompany it.
“… a delicate and moving introduction to Holocaust themes for children” ~ The Globe and Mail About Young People’s Theatre
Toronto’s YPT is the largest non-profit theatre company for young audiences in Canada and presents new Canadian plays, innovative works and classics from children’s literature throughout the season.
Since 1966, YPT has been using live performance to validate the common experiences young people encounter as they grow up in an increasingly complex world.
About Geordie Productions
Geordie Productions is Quebec’s English-language theatre company for kids and has been presenting professional live plays for young audiences since 1980. It delivers more than 300 performances each season. Based in Montreal, Geordie’s 2Play School Tour travels extensively all across Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes, bringing many communities their only opportunity to see live theatre. Geordie’s
Montreal Mainstage Series presents both well-loved classics and exciting new works by contemporary Canadian playwrights to families and school groups at the D.B. Clarke Theatre in downtown Montreal.
Hana’s Suitcase | Written by Emil Sher | Based on the book by Karen Levine, published by Second Story Press
Directed by Allen MacInnis
MEDIA CALL: November 5, 2015 at 1:30pm
PERFORMANCES: November 6 – 15, 2015 | Opening Night: Nov. 6 at 7pm | Saturdays at 2pm, Sundays at 1pm & 4pm
VENUE: D.B. Clarke Theatre, Concordia University Hall Building | 1455 de Maisonneuve W, Montreal
TICKETS: $14.50 children; $16.50 students/seniors; $18.50 adults; all prices are subject to taxes | Group rates available
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Children age 9 and up & and adults of all ages | 95 minutes
BOX OFFICE and INFORMATION: (514) 845-9810 or www.geordie.ca
PHOTOS: available upon request
CONTACT: Patrick Charron at (514) 845-9810 or publicity@geordie.ca
Geordie Productions Inc. 4001 Berri, Suite 103. Montreal, QC. H2L 4H2 Tel: 514.845.9810 Fax: 514.845.3634 info@geordie.ca
www.geordie.ca
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