New works on mental illness
Despite social progress in developing tolerance, mental illness is often still feared and misunderstood.
Rabid Marmot Productions, an offbeat theatrical collective that aims to provoke discussion, is producing Far From Crazy, a collection of short works on the widely misunderstood subject.
"It's a subject most people tend to avoid. There's a lot of mystery surrounding mental illness. We wanted to get people talking about it and reduce the stigma and open people's minds to a condition that affects one in four Canadians," says Nicholas Mather, Rabid Marmot's artistic associate and producer.
"Most people are able to lead normal lives and we want everyone to know there is help for the silent sufferers."
The company received more than 60 submissions from British Columbia to Newfoundland and narrowed the field to eight playlets each under 20 minutes.
The production features the five following actors: Westlock's Kayll Rakoz, Sherwood Park's C.J. Rowein and Edmonton's Aoife McNamara, Charity Principe and Jaimi Reece.
On Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. a special benefit production with 100 per cent of the net proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Mental Health.
Far From Crazy is running Oct. 5 to 16 at the Living Room Playhouse/Azimuth Theatre, 11315 – 106 Ave. Tickets are $20. Call 780-420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca
Wine and strings
The Wild Rose String Quartet led by local musician Darrell Soetaert is scheduled to play live at Bacchus Café and Wine Bar Saturday night at 7 p.m.
The current line-up includes Soetaert (viola), Amanda Alstad (violin), Arlan Vriens (violin) and John Fedor (cello).
Music students from the University of Alberta, the ensemble has built upon those roots and expanded their classical repertoire to include contemporary favourites such as the Beatles.
As cultural fixtures in the area, they have played at the Winspear Centre, Hotel Fairmont MacDonald, the Shaw Conference Centre, Convocation Hall and the Muttart Conservatory.
Bacchus Café is at 21 Perron St. There is no cover charge.
