PRE-SHOW PERFORMANCE BY ISI BHAKHOMEN
August 21, 22, and 23 at 7pm
Join us early in the park for a special performance written and performed by rising star isi bhakhomen, directed by Ludmylla Reis, and featuring Anna Morreale.
Magda “isi bhakhomen” Uculmana-Falcón is a downtown Toronto-based artist. Their varied works explore themes of black femme power, ancestral memory, humour and absurdity. Through stories they aim to build worlds that give Black folks the freedom to breathe, to laugh and to heal. A literary giant once described them as “a fiercely blossoming independent artist.” A loving teacher stated that they were “a force to be reckoned with both as a performer and as a writer.” And their formerly estranged father now calls them “brilliant.” Recent playwriting credits include Mami (Rhubarb Festival, Queer Pride Festival, Cimientos Festival, CAMINOS Festival, STAND Festival) and BOOM! (Paprika Festival). You can find out more at www.isibhakhomen.com
INSERT CLOWN THERE: PASTORAL
August 23 at 7:30pm (alternate rain date August 25)
For one night only, Parlous brings their delightful chaos to Withrow when a Clown steps into the role of Orlando in Ruff’s production of “Pastoral”! What will happen??? We don’t know! But we’re excited to find out!
Founded in 2022 by Jacob Willis and Kendelle Parks, Parlous Theatre creates original work that lives at the intersection of theatre, performance art, and experimentation. Guided by the belief that uncertainty is where discovery happens, Parlous embraces risk, genre collision, and playfulness to create bold theatrical experiences.
The company is best known for their original production, INSERT CLOWN HERE, which has evolved from a workshop to a national Fringe tour and a sold-out, Dora-nominated, remount at The Theatre Centre. Across its evolution, the production has welcomed more than 50 guest clowns into the performance, embracing collaboration, spontaneity, and reimagination as core artistic principles.
Shakespeare in the Ruff is celebrating our 15th season creating accessible, audacious reimaginings of Shakespeare plays in Withrow Park.
INSERT CLOWN THERE: PASTORAL is the first collaboration between Ruff and Parlous and is sure to be a wild, wonderful night you won’t want to miss.
