Camera Obscura (hungry ghosts)

World Premiere with the frank theatre company | Roundhouse Performance Centre

A love story. A ghost story. A ritual for release.

A Vancouver artist attends the opening night of his career retrospective. Unbeknownst to gallery-goers, his past has returned to haunt him. What if what we thought we knew about our lives proved to be less than true? And how can we know the truth if the one creating it keeps it in camera, hidden?

Two beautifully young men, off in radically different directions, become entwined with the untimely death of a stranger, which seals their fate; Camera Obscura (hungry ghosts) is an exciting new contemporary play inspired by Governor General Award winning, multimedia artist, Paul Wong*. His true life and radical work provide a jumping off point for playwright and director Lesley Ewen to contemplate the act of creation as both a way of coping with despair and of telling lies. Mixing truth and fiction she spins out a world of multiple realities that re-views a double tragedy in the hope of absolution and understanding.

Actors Jeff Ho, Julien Galipeau and Braiden Houle bring the story to life with passion, intelligence and a brash sense of humour. The renowned design team, Sammy Chien, Khan Lee, Stefan Smulovitz, James Proudfoot and Hannah Case, have created an elegantly rich, multidimensional environment within which to tell this heartfelt, funny and deeply intense tale of Love and Redemption.

This performance deals with topics of racism, suicide and murder. Please care for yourself as you see fit, including leaving the theatre; you’re welcome to return quietly. We will have an Indigenous Elder available if you require support.

*Paul Wong is a Governor General Award winning, Vancouver-based notorious multimedia provocateur. He is a founding member of several important artists’ groups including VIVO Media Arts Centre, as well as curator of QueerSUM. His work includes conceptual performances which mesh video, photography, installation, and performance with Chinese-Canadian cultural perspectives.

Written and directed by Lesley Ewen.

Cast
Jeff Ho
Julian Galipeau
Braiden Houle

Community partner: Full Circle – First Nations Performance Society

Regular 4-Show Flex Passes ($79) and single tickets on sale April 16:

TICKETS $30 General Admission | $20 Concession
June 19 PREVIEW NIGHT $25 General Admission | $15 Concession
June 23 matinee PAY WHAT YOU CAN DAY

Written and directed by Lesley Ewen.

Cast Jeff Ho
Julian Galipeau
Braiden Houle

Community partner: Full Circle – First Nations Performance Society

Regular 4-Show Flex Passes ($79) and single tickets on sale April 16:

TICKETS $30 General Admission | $20 Concession
June 19 PREVIEW NIGHT $25 General Admission | $15 Concession
June 23 matinee PAY WHAT YOU CAN DAY

Entry to all QAF events requires membership to the Pride in Art Society. Memberships are available for $2 online or $5 / $2 concession at the door. Please allow a few extra minutes at your first event to obtain your new card.