Pacific Theatre is proud to present Rick Maddocks’ The Meal, a guest production by The Lost Gospel Ensemble. It’s The Last Supper as told through a funky, theatrical new song cycle inspired by the Gospels of John, Thomas, Judas and Mary Magdalene, and Luis Buñuel’s provocative film The Exterminating Angel. Featuring four singers, one for each of the four gospels that inspired the work, The Meal is unique in its approach to story telling.
In fact, the piece was a bit of a surprise, even to composer Rick Maddocks. “Words and music were welded together into a form that actually surprised me: a sort-of opera, a reimagining of gospel music that bridges different forms such as folk, jazz, country, rock and even poor-man’s classical.”
Maddocks identifies himself as a non-Christian. Reflecting on his motivation for creating this show, “The Meal tries to reimagine our world as if it’s on the threshold of a spiritual and political movement without a name. Something primitive and strange and mysterious, and wide open to interpretation.”
Featured on stage are some of Vancouver’s hottest up-and-coming indie music stars including Lucien Durey (vocals), Sean Fulton (keyboards), Jody Glenham (vocals), Stephen Lyons (drums), Rick Maddocks (composer/vocals), Caleb Stull (vocals), and Jon Wood (bass). The Meal is directed by Richard Wolfe (The Busy World is Hushed).
Named one of the best Vancouver concerts of 2011: “Intensely spiritual and potent choral indie folk that is fortunately being remounted with new material and members at Pacific Theatre this year.” ~ Stuart Derdyn, The Province
The Lost Gospel Ensemble is a secular group that challenges the boundaries of gospel music. Featuring four singers and a dynamic trio of drums, bass and organ, the ensemble is drawn from Vancouver’s indie pop, folk, alt-country and jazz scenes.
The ensemble was initially formed to perform Rick Maddocks’s The Meal at the 2011 PuSh Festival but has since gone on to record a studio version of The Meal” (soon to be released) and is happy to be restaging the production at Pacific Theatre this April.
The Meal
Dates: April 11 to 14: Wednesday to Saturday, 8 pm; Saturday 2 pm matinee; Friday 10:30 pm late night performances
Venue: Pacific Theatre, 1440 West 12th Avenue (at Hemlock Street), Vancouver
Tickets: $16.50 to $29.50 (plus HST). To reserve tickets, phone 604.731.5518 or visit the Pacific Theatre website.
Images courtesy of the Pacific Theatre.
