Turandot

A blend of Commedia and Peking Opera provides a new take on this classic myth.

History has been exceptionally unsympathetic to this enchanting riddle princess. Rather, Turandot can be seen as representing the feminine longing for freedom, self-determination and self-expression.

An original script based on a scenario by Laurie Steven and created through a collaborative process with writer Lib Spry, dramaturge Liang Tee Tue and the company. While previous versions by Gozzi, Schiller, Puccini and Brecht all portray the heroine as a cold, cruel, vain, and neurotic beauty conquered by a Persian prince, Odyssey makes her flesh and blood, caught between her emotions and her spiritual values. We trace her spiritual journey – her quest for freedom, self-determination and self-expression – against the backdrop of a repressive patriarchal society.

Steven and choreographer Xing Bang Fu collaborated to create characterization, movement and staging inspired by both Commedia and Peking Opera techniques. Turandot is performed to a live percussion sound scope and enhanced with the antics of the clowns, elaborate dance and fight sequences and court pageantry.

Reviews:

“Magical! That is the only word that adequately describes the visual and aural richness of Turandot… [a] fascinating blend of the traditions of Commedia dell’Arte and Chinese opera… employs flowing robes, pennants and gongs in the Chinese style, and comic characters drawn from both. The result is stunningly effective… this fast-paced and beautifully choreographed production of Turandot is a theatrical experience that touches all the senses. This is the type of show that underlines theatre as a major art form.”
—Iris Winston, The Ottawa Citizen

“…a marvellous, incredible production by Odyssey Theatre… a witty, wise, and thoroughly entertaining play. Events like these are exciting as they are rare — a new play given a tour de force production. There are powerful ideas at work here — the most powerful of which concerns the relationship between the sexes. (Director Laurie Steven) has created a wonderful world using all the resources she could muster.”
—Chris Baker, Ottawa X-Press

“Sumptuous! …the dancing, prancing entrances, the robes and ribbons flying, the gongs pounding, the circular movement, the sweeping hand gestures, the choreography with all the weapons, the many pitched voices… I don’t think there is another company in Canada doing the kind of work Laurie Steven does and it gets better each year.”
—Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio

A collective collaboration by members of the cast and:
Director: Laurie Steven
Writer: Lib Spry
Dramaturge: Liang Tee Tue
Based on a scenario by Laurie Steven
Mask Design and Construction: Karen Rodd
Costumes: Teresa Przybylski
Movement Coach and Choreography: Xing Bang Fu
Lighting Designer: Ron Ward
Set Designed by Barry Padolsky
Music composed and performed by Paul Vaillancourt
Stage Manager: Sarah Gale
Asst.: Chad Boole
Cast: Diana Fajrajsl, Laura DiCicco, Kathleen Egan, Tim Kohout, Henry Gauthier, Mark Whitbread, Mike Brunet, Bruce Spinney, Sarah Muff, Robin Black, Devon Taylor