Artistic Fraud to tour Colony of Unrequited Dreams in N.S., Ontario

The St. John's-based theatre company Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland will take its adaptation of Wayne Johnston's best-selling novel The Colony of Unrequited Dreams on a national tour next year, and has revealed plans for two new shows. 

"The team at Artistic Fraud has always strived to change the landscape of theatre in this province and beyond by seeking out our truly great stories and re-telling them in unique and challenging ways," artistic director Robert Chafe said Wednesday. 

The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, a retelling of the life of Joseph R. Smallwood, was a sold-out hit at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's when it debuted in 2015.

In 2017, Artistic Fraud will be taking the production to Ottawa, Halifax, and London, Ont.

At a news conference Wednesday at the LSPU Hall, Artistic Fraud also announced plans for two new, original productions: Annabel and Between Breaths.

Between Breaths, based on the life and work of late whale researcher Jon Lien, will debut in August in St. John's, with performances set for such communities as Cape St. Mary's, Eastport, Clarenville, Cow Head, Bonavista and Gander. 

Chafe wrote the production, which company cofounder Jillian Keiley is directing. Folk trio The Once will compose the score for this production.

"We're so proud of this piece and incredibly grateful to the Lien family for their generosity, encouragement, and trust," said Chafe.

Annabel will be the company's first fully sung stage musical. Based on the novel by Kathleen Winter, Annabel tells the story of an intersex child born in 1968 in the fictitious community of Croydon Harbour in Labrador.

Chafe is adapting the novel, and Keiley will direct. The production is set to debut in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019. Chafe calls the piece "unique and timely." 

For more information on both productions and schedules, visit the Artistic Fraud website.