I have never felt salvation in nature. I love cities above all.
- Michelangelo
WHAT YOU WANT: TORONTO
Written and Directed by Andrew Templeton
Co-director: Russell Bennett. Performers: Gillian Bennett, Russell Bennett, Melanie Bray and Michael Kash. Soundscape & Projections: David Mesiha. Producer & Dramaturge: Jill Margo.
A MachineFair Production
Two cities, two scripts. Playwright Andrew Templeton, originally from Vancouver, now living in Toronto, experiments with bringing these works together at Bring the Buzz. Both are almost true stories that weave a one-man show through the stories of four characters.
WHAT YOU WANT: VANCOUVER
In 2001, Templeton returned to his hometown of Vancouver after a fifteen year absence. What You Want is the story of what he found. The play probes the sexual desires and romantic foibles of a city that is at once real and imagined. An adult comedy for those who haven’t grown up yet.
WHAT YOU WANT: TORONTO
In 2010, Templeton wrote the smash-hit What You Want, a goodbye letter to Vancouver. In 2011, he and his characters moved to Toronto. A not-so-adult comedy for those who have unexpectedly grown up.
For three weeks, MachineFair will be creating What You Want: Toronto, the sequel to the Vancouver-based play and mashing it all together. Over the course of the residency we will be inviting audiences to provide their feedback and contribute to the creation of this new work. With special themed events and talk back sessions.
Thursday, October 18th, 7:30pm
WHAT YOU WANT VANCOUVER & VANGUARD TALK BACK
A reading of the original Vancouver script: An adult comedy for those who haven’t grown up yet. Vancouver ex-pats/theatre artists now living in Toronto and in attendance will lead a discussion regarding their own experiences with the two cities.
More information on VanGuard coming soon.
Saturday, October 20th, 7:30pm
WHAT YOU WANT VANCOUVER & WHAT YOU WANT TORONTO MASH-UP
Vancouverites get hot under the collar about Toronto; Torontonians keep their collars cool. We take elements from both scripts and mash them together and see what we come up with.
Thursday, October 25nd, 7:30pm
PLAYWRIGHT’S NIGHT: CENSORSHIP & THE DELETED SCENE
The original production of What You Want was not without its controversy—but the potentially most controversial scene never made it to the stage. Find out why. A discussion about censorship (including self-censorship) and appropriation. How much freedom do playwrights really have to explore ideas?
Friday, October 26th, 7:30pm
THE TORONTO MONOLOGUES
There’s a reason why Andrew Templeton is a playwright and not performer. Come and see how he makes out delivering a cycle of monologues on Toronto, not having children, and other random things that may (or may not) be included in the final iteration of the script.
Saturday, October 27th, 7:30pm
THE TORONTO SCENES
Come and see the scenes involving the characters sans the meta-theatricality of the playwright. Is What You Want really just a straight ahead drama? Tell us what you think.
Monday, October 29th, 7:30pm
DRAMATURGY OF DESIGN WORKSHOP
A special workshop presentation focussing on the subject of playwrighting and design. Andrew Templeton and designer David Mesiha will have a lively discussion about how design and text can influence one another particularly with reference to new digital technologies. Admission is $25/$20 for Playwrights Guild of Canada members and students.
Download more information on the workshop.
Friday, November 2nd and Saturday, November 3rd
WHAT YOU WANT, THE FINAL(ISH) ITERATION
These two presentations will represent the culmination of the material as evolved throughout the Bring the Buzz residency.