“Are you satisfied with what you know?”
A simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer. This is the lesson learned on a late summer night in 1962 by confirmed bachelor Zachary Teale. Sweet like lemonade, but cut with a kick of bourbon, Stewart Lemoine’s The Exquisite Hour sees Teale’s world turned upside-down after meeting a lovely (and mysterious) woman. One lovely hour plays out in real time as the alluring Helen Darimont leads Zachary to question knowledge, imagination, and the value of time.
[Nevada Yates Robart, Josue Laboucane]
The 2010 Vancouver International Fringe Festival hit is back. The Relephants are looking to put a little spring in your step, and add a little summer to your spring with the anticipated remount of The Exquisite Hour. I caught one of the 2010 Fringe Festival performances and look back on its sweet and seemingly innocent story line with great fondness.
[Josue Laboucane, Nevada Yates Robart]
The Exquisite Hour sold out multiple performances and was shortlisted for the Pick of the Fringe, Georgia Straight Critics’ Choice Award, and the Cultchivating the Fringe Award for the 2010 Vancouver International Fringe Festival.
Originally scheduled to perform as part of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company’s inaugural Recital Hall Series in the 2011/2012 season, the production was cancelled after the Playhouse’s sad and sudden closure on March 10. The production was quickly moved from the Vancouver Playhouse Recital Hall to the Revue Stage on Granville Island, and rescheduled for a May run.
Co-producer Steven Greenfield was blown away by the generosity of other members in the industry. “The community truly stepped up in our hour of need. When the announcement was made, our group was at a loss of what to do. We knew that the show had to happen – we had everything lined up, and had been planning it for over a year. We needed to find a home for it. We are extremely grateful for the assistance we’ve received from the Arts Club Theatre Company, as well as other members of the community.”
Director Julie McIsaac is eager to bring this show back to Vancouver audiences. “We’re inviting audiences to come spend this very special hour with us… it’s a garden party, it’s a quirky comedy, it’s a tender tale of those tiny tragedies that shut us down, and of the simple questions that can open us up.”
Emerging actor Nevada Yates Robart will step into Helen’s shoes (and vivacious beehive glory); Jessie-nominated actor Josue Laboucane will play quiet bachelor Zachary. Thanks to set and costume designer Jessie van Rijn, lighting designer Ian Schimpf, and sound designer Steven Greenfield, the Relephants will sprinkle their own brand of whimsical magic at the Revue Stage on Granville Island. The traditional theatre space will be transformed into a 1960’s backyard party, complete with glasses of ice cold lemonade for the audience.
Come on over! The grass is green, the air is warm, the lemonade is spiked (well, bourbon is available for those who want an extra kick!). A lovely, hilarious and surprisingly surprising slice of an hour, in a day, in a life. It’s the very best place to be.
The Exquisite Hour
Dates: May 1 to 12: Tuesday to Sunday, 8 pm; Saturday matinees at 2 pm; Sunday matinees at 4 pm
Venue: The Revue Stage, 1601 Johnston Street, Granville Island
Tickets: $22 (1/2 price preview on May 1, 8 pm). Purchase tickets either online or by phoning the box office at 604.629.8849.
Photos courtesy of Relephant Theatre.