The Company Theatre presents the Canadian premiere of celebrated contemporary German playwright Franz Xaver Kroetz’ THROUGH THE LEAVES starring three time Gemini Award-winning actor Nicholas Campbell (“Da Vinci’s Inquest,” Festen) and Maria Vacratsis (“Rent-a-Goalie,” “Degrassi:   The Next Generation”). THROUGH THE LEAVES previews from September 10, officially opens Tuesday, September 14 and runs until October 3, 2010 at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre.

 

Jarring in its intensity, THROUGH THE LEAVES is an uncompromising relationship drama that chronicles the relationship between Martha (Maria Vacratsis), a female butcher and her abusive companion, Otto (Nicholas Campbell), a factory worker.   Bound by circumstance, t he love affair between Martha and Otto is an extremely unique relationship yet depicts a very universal truth about the desperate need in humans to feel connected to someone else.

 

THROUGH THE LEAVES was first performed in the United Kingdom in 1985 at The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and Bush Theatre, London.   Using a new translation by Anthony Vivis, it was presented again, in 2003, at the Southwick Playhouse, London starring Simon Callow and Ann Mitchell in a production that later transferred to London’s West End.

 

Franz Xaver Kroetz (born February 25, 1946 in Munich) is a German author, playwright, actor and film director.   His plays are among the most frequently performed of any contemporary German dramatist.    His work, characterized by an acute observation of ordinary people, employs dialect and a colloquial style combined with naturalist elements to show how unprepared they are to cope with a modern world, and how their inability to communicate leads to a feeling of isolation.

 

Formed in 2004, The Company Theatre collaborates with Canadian and international artists to transcend geographical and artistic borders and bring impeccably performed, thought-provoking theatre to Canadian audiences.   The Company Theatre has produced the Canadian premiere of Tom Murphy's A Whistle in the Dark directed by award-winning Irish director Jason Byrne; the Toronto premiere of Daniel's MacIvor's Marion Bridge and the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of the controversial award-winning film Festen, again directed by Jason Byrne and starring veteran stage and screen actor Eric Peterson, all to great acclaim.