Egypt claims the great god Horus. Greeks demand the world acknowledge Zeus and the Norse boast of Thor.
However, the second annual Thousand Faces Festival asserts ownership over all. Running May 16 to 24, it is the only Edmonton arts festival celebrating diverse international myths.
Held in the Alberta Avenue area, this multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary festival incorporates storytelling, music, dance, theatre and visual art inspired by heroic and not-so-heroic tales from across the planet.
The brainchild of Mark Henderson, this free festival creates a dreamscape for a mosaic of roots to mingle and connect.
As artistic director of Theatre Prospero, Henderson mounts Macbeth, a Shakespearean tale of the mad Scottish king who slaughters his way to power. But there is no heir to the throne of blood, and no matter who he kills, sleep eludes him. The 110-minute production is on Saturday, May 17 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 7 p.m.
In the canon of contemporary boilerplate Western folklore, nothing beats a good buddy-cop story. Chris Craddock and Matt Alden star in Cliffhanger, in which two seemingly rugged cops are on an impossible mission.
Will they get their man in this action-packed improvised adventure or will they leave you hanging in suspense? Cliffhanger is on Saturday, May 17 at 8:45 p.m.
Veteran performer Randall Fraser and his professional sidekick Alex Forsyth don a symbolic helmet and sword to prepare for battle on a quest in Epic: Find Your Hero Within.
But first they must collect real-time items from the audience. So bring your props and prepare to embark on a one-of-a-kind odyssey on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 at 3 p.m.
In Medea, Theatre No Pasáran takes guests into the dark depths of Hades to discover the bitter end of Jason’s quest for the golden fleece as he learns the cost of jilting a demi-goddess. Jennifer Spencer is Princess Medea, the sorceress-saviour while Chris Craddock is Jason, the cheating misogynist swine and “hero” husband. Medea is on Friday, May 16 at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 22 at 12 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 at 7 p.m.
Swinging from tragedy to comedy, Thousand Faces mines humour in Folk Lordz. Edmonton improvisers Ben Gorodetsky and Todd Houseman deliver a three-part improvised ethnic braid.
One thread is aboriginal, the second is Russian and the third is an audience selection. Fast and furious it is on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 p.m.
In Devi – The Divine Core, East Indian dancer Manipuri Nartanalaya presents a unique blend of Odissi and Manipuri Dance with Hindustani vocal music and Sanskrit rhythms. This playful, enchanting journey through the realms of the Goddess with a Thousand Graces is on Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m.
Author, writer and grand storyteller Tololwa Mollel joins the festival for a round of African tales in Story House. With 17 internationally published children’s books to his name, including the Governor-General Award-winning The Orphan Boy, Mollel adds a beautiful mythic touch that appeals to all ages. He brings his stories to life on Monday, May 19 at 2 p.m.
Madame Morgan Smith leads a harem of heroic poets delivering inspiring verse from the ages in Mythic Poetry Brothel. Some of the featured poets include Canadian Slam Poetry Champions Colin Matty and Liam Coady. They hit the beats on Sunday, May 18 at 9 p.m.
For more information visit thousandfaces.ca.
Preview
Thousand Faces Festival<br />May 16 to 24<br />Alberta Avenue<br />Free
