The Barrington o ers private dining areas to accommodate any group size:
• Book our entire restaurant space to host up to 200
• Our Oyster Bar is the perfect atmosphere for private parties of up to 100
• Consider one of our Private Rooms for intimate parties of 20 or fewer
To plan your next event, contact us at: agm@barringtonsteakhouse.ca
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To advertise in Neptune Theatre house programs, contact: Leslie MacDonald 902-429-7300 Ext. 249 lmacdonald@neptunetheatre.com
Neptune Theatre is located on sacred land that has been the site of human activity since time immemorial. We are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land.
As artists, we are grateful to work and build community here. As stewards of culture, we commit to continuing to improve our relations with Indigenous people and upholding values of collaboration and inclusivity in all that we do.
We strongly recommend that masks be worn in our venues. As our theatres place the audience so close to the action on stage, masking helps protect not only audience members but also the actors, who cannot wear masks when performing. By keeping them safe, we all can help prevent COVID-related performance cancellations.
Any videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. The use of cameras, cellular phones, paging devices and all other recording devices is strictly prohibited in the theatre. Please ensure all cellular phones and watch alarms are turned off. Neptune Theatre is a scent-free environment.
Neptune Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional Artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Neptune Theatre engages professional technicians represented by IATSE Local 680.
Neptune Theatre acknowledges the support of our government partners:
Please note: this show contains scenes of physical violence, suggestion of sexual violence, discussions of death, explicit language, and use of sexist, homophobic and racist slurs. During
show, four cigarettes and a vape are smoked; the cigarette substitute (cocoa beans) is quite similar in smell to real cigarettes.
Hannah Wayne-Phillips Kate
Nikolai Afanasev Volodya
Annie Valentina Playwright and Director
Yevgeniya Kononoff Cultural Consultant and Dramaturg
Karen Bassett Fight Director
Wes Babcock Set Designer
Ryan Wilcox Assistant Set Designer
Kaelen McDonald Costume Designer
Jess Lewis Lighting Designer
Jordan Palmer Sound & Video Designer
Samantha Wilson Intimacy Consultant
Martha Irving Voice
Alison Crosby Stage Manager
Cassie Westbrook Apprentice Assistant Stage Manager
Linda Meian RBC Chrysalis Production Dramaturgy
Devon McCarron RBC Chrysalis Lighting
Matthew Kratz RBC Chrysalis Video
I was eight years old when the Berlin Wall came down, signalling the beginning of the end for the Soviet empire.
My family was living in Bulgaria - an Eastern Bloc country in the shadow of the USSR trying to transition from a long-standing totalitarian regime to something like democracy. It was a strange time. After decades of state repression and censorship, the pendulum had swung, and now it was the norm to openly question people’s political allegiances in all areas of life. Including the schoolyard and playground.
My dad had been out walking the dog and struck up a conversation with a nice old man in the park. He came home excited to share this with us, and the first question out of my mouth was “Which side is he on?”
I was old enough to tell that the question had upset my dad, but not old enough to understand why. It was, after all, a constant topic of conversation - in my house as in anyone else’s. I had no idea what to do with his dismayed response.
Kids are sponges, and Us Vs Them narratives soak right in. Like all good propaganda, Us Vs Them is appealing because it flattens a confusing,
often paradoxical reality into something way more manageable. It’s no accident that extremist ideology finds its easiest targets in the young and vulnerable.
Shortly after this, my parents moved the family to Norway, where I would live the next ten years of my life before relocating to Canada. Like many children of immigrants, I’ve spent most of my adulthood trying to make sense of existing in the gap between cultures. In 2014, when protests against government corruption in Ukraine became a flashpoint for pro-West vs pro-Russia rhetoric, I sat glued to the news, feeling the tug of my history within me with an ache I couldn’t fully identify.
Ballad of the Motherland was inspired by the real-life disappearances of journalists in the Donbas while cov- ering (what we now know as) the precursor to Putin’s horrific and ongoing war. More personally, it is an exploration of the odd topography of intersecting - and often polarized - cultural identities. It’s an ode to lost childhood and a complicated love letter to the Slavic diaspora, in this time of historic trauma.
I can never thank Pam Halstead and PARC enough for being such great champions of this play, and Atlantic Canadian playwriting in general. Thank you to Jeremy Webb for believing in it, and to my wonderful team for helping bring it to life. And my deepest thanks to you, the audience - for holding space for this story, for supporting the YMCA’s Nova Scotia Supports Ukraine initiative with your ticket purchase, for being here with us, right now.
Enjoy the show.
Annie Valentina Playwright & DirectorMaidan Revolution (aka Revolution of Dignity): Mass protests erupted in Kyiv’s Maidan Square in November 2013 when Ukraine’s president at the time, Viktor Yanukovych, abruptly refused to sign a free trade agreement with the UN in favor of closer economic ties with Russia. Deadly clashes between protestors and riot police led to the ousting of Yanukovych in February 2014, and a new interim government was formed.
Crimea: Peninsula in the south of Ukraine, annexed by Russia after what’s widely believed to be a sham referendum in the aftermath of the Maidan Revolution.
Donbas: Region of Eastern Ukraine, occupied by pro-Russian forces since 2014. The majority population of this region are Russian speakers.
Right Sector: Coalition of far-right Ukrainian nationalists, formed in November 2013. In early 2014, its membership only numbered a few hundred.
Gopnik: Slang term popularized in 1990s’ Russia to describe young men from low-income backgrounds, known to travel in groups and commit petty crime.
Cossack: Term derived from Turkic, meaning free man. The word was first used about people wandering the steppe (Ukrainian prairie) who were fishermen, hunters, or beekeepers. Cossacks were later recruited to the military to defend the eastern parts of Ukraine and would often share values of patriotism, military heroism, and willingness to self-sacrifice for freedom.
Banderite: Term originally used to describe a member of the OUN-B (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists), an organization led by Stepan Bandera which fought for Ukraine’s independence during WWII. Bandera was a controversial figure, seen as a national hero by many Ukrainians, and as a fascist responsible for killing thousands by many Russians. The term persists in modern-day slang for any presumed supporter of Bandera’s ideologies.
Amnesty International’s report on abductions and torture in Eastern Ukraine (2014):
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur50/034/2014/en/
UN’s news updates on Ukraine from 2014 to present day:
https://news.un.org/en/focus/ukraine
Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal:
https://www.redcross.ca/donate/appeal/donate-to-the-ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-appeal
UN’s Ukraine Humanitarian Fund:
https://crisisrelief.un.org/t/ukraine
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR):
https://give.unhcr.ca/page/52275/donate
–Internment in Canada, 1914–1920
February 11 to April 23, 2023
L’internement au Canada, 1914–1920
11 février au 23 avril 2023
City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 867A Archives de la ville de Toronto, fonds 1244, article 867A
A travelling exhibition produced by the Canadian War Museum in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation. Une exposition itinérante produite par le Musée canadien de la guerre en partenariat avec la Fondation ukrainienne canadienne pour les libertés civiles.
It was coincidentally as Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago that Annie Valentina’s new play, Ballad of the Motherland, was having a workshop week, culminating in a reading. Knowing what was brewing in Ukraine and knowing Annie’s work, I invited myself to the zoom playreading.
We were still in a reduced contact situation (thanks, Covid) so I texted Annie immediately after the reading and declared my hope of seeing her play premiere at Neptune the following year. It was a rare opportunity for a theatre to program a play that is so very relevant and reflective of the current world situation and I did not want to miss that chance.
With this in mind and believing in the pure drama of the piece, we have watched as Annie has set about pulling together a winning team of artists to present this play to the world for the first time.
Thank you for attending this performance and I urge you to spread the word. New plays are an important part of the work we do at Neptune and are one of the ways we work to feed the cultural landscape.
Next up and closing the 2022-2023 Season is Billy Elliot The Musical. Last month we announced our line-up for the 2023-2024 Season and we hope that you will consider joining us again. New work, modern classics, hilarious comedy and fun musicals lie in store. If you know that there are a few plays that appeal, the best prices are to be found by becoming a subscriber.
See you at the theatre!
Jeremy Webb Artistic Director
Inspired by true events in the early 2010’s, Ballad of the Motherland is the story of one woman’s journey to discover her heritage, while surviving a war zone. Set against the backdrop of a decades old conflict, this new work holds a mirror up to the current conflict between Russia and the Ukraine.
Part of our mandate at Neptune Theatre is to support and showcase Atlantic Canadian voices, and recently, that includes refugees fleeing the ongoing war in the Ukraine. Through this rehearsal and show process, we have worked closely with the YMCA’s Centre for Immigrant Programs, to find opportunities of cultural exchange. On behalf of the staff and artists of Neptune Theatre, we welcome our new friends and neighbors to our beautiful province.
If you’d like to support Neptune Theatre’s cultural outreach work please contact Leslie MacDonald, Director of Development and Partnerships, at lmacdonald@neptunetheatre.com
Catherine Bagnell Styles Interim Executive Director
Our Artistic Associate, Annie Valentina, has written and directed this searing drama, about one woman’s experience surviving a war zone. Inspired by true events from 2014, the themes of this play are pulled into an even sharper focus by Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine.
Neptune theatre is pleased to partner with the YMCA of Greater Halifax/ Dartmouth for this production. We will be donating $1 from every ticket purchased for this production to the Nova Scotia Supports Ukraine fund. For more information on the fund, ways to help or to make a donation visit ymcahfx.ca/ns-supports-ukraine/
Paul Laberge Chair, Neptune Theatre Foundation
NEPTUNETHEATRE.COM
ORIGINALLY PRESENTED IN LONDON BY UNIVERSAL PICTURES STAGE PRODUCTIONS,WORKING TITLE FILMS, OLD VIC PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TIGER PRODUCTIONS.
BASED ON THE UNIVERSAL PICTURES/STUDIO CANAL FILM. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI. WWW.MTISHOWS.COM
ROLE: Kate
NEPTUNE: Debut OTHER THEATRE: Trojan Girls and the Outhouse of Atreus (Outside the March/Factory Theatre), Crimes of the Heart, Boeing Boeing (Watermark Theatre), In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play (RedWit Theatre), King Lear, Twelfth Night (Canadian Stage). TRAINING: MFA from York University.
OTHER: Thank you to Alisha, mum, and dad for all your love and support – I wouldn’t be here without you.
ROLE: Volodya
NEPTUNE: Debut OTHER THEATRE: The Anniversary (“N” Studio Theatre), Most Humorous Tale of Shakespeare (The Redwood Theatre), Babel-O-Drome (Collectifbus123).
FILM/TV: Lullaby (Creative Salt), Remi (Ofis Productions).
TRAINING: Two-Year Acting Training - Sheridan College (2014-2016) – Teachers: Patrick Young, David Matheson. Second City: Improvisation 1-4. Trainers: Leah Cameron, Ian Keeling, Cary West, Christian Smith. Michael Chekhov Technique. Teachers: Rena Polley, Lionel Walsh, Peggy Coffey (2018).
OTHER: A Russian-born actor and Neohumanist. I am grateful to my teachers and our creative team to be transmitting this story to the respected audience of Neptune Theatre.
ROLE: Playwright & Director NEPTUNE: (as Director) Pleasureville; Lo (Or Dear Mr Wells); (as Dramaturg) In Lieu of Flowers. OTHER THEATRE: The Outside Inn (Festival Antigonish); Yaga (Highland Arts Theatre); What to Expect When You Aren’t Expected (The QRB Project); King of Berlin (The Doppler Effect). OTHER: Love to my family, both born and chosen. Protect trans lives.
ROLE: Cultural Consultant and Dramaturg
NEPTUNE: Directed first workshop of Ballad of the Motherland. OTHER THEATRE: Director and co-creator of Play Invisible (produced independently, FOOT Festival), King Stag (Next Stage Theatre co), directed and translated An Ordinary Wonder (produced independently).
ROLE: Fight Director
NEPTUNE: Misery, The Color Purple, Shakespeare in Love, Stag and Doe, In a World Created by a Drunken God, Heroine, Masked OTHER THEATRE: Numerous credits with Theatre New Brunswick, Ship’s Company Theatre, Festival Antigonish, Two Planks and Passion Theatre, Villain’s Theatre, Shakespeare by the Sea, 2B Theatre, Halifax Theatre For Young People RECENT CREDITS: Misery (Neptune Theatre 2022) Unity and the Stranger (Two Planks and a Passion Theatre 2022), Robin Hood, the Great Escape (Festival Antigonish 2021) OTHER: Karen is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist as a fight director, performer, playwright and teacher. She is co director of a simulation company that provides actors for workplace scenario based training: www.inpractice.ca
WES BABCOCK
ROLE: Set Designer
NEPTUNE: Pleasureville (Set) OTHER THEATRE: The Woodcutter (Matchstick - Set, Merritt Nominee), Educating Rita (Watermark Theatre - Set), The Little Prince Reimagined (Puzzle Piece - Lights). Co-founder of WhatByWhen, where, with Crystal Lee, he is building models for sustainable production management through praxis (whatxwhen.ca).
AWARDS: TNS Wes Daniels Design Award (2020). OTHER: Wes is a queer set and lighting designer, production manager, and technical director based in Halifax, NS. Wes is grateful to the Associated Designers of Canada Assistant Designer Program funded by the Government of Canada for Ryan’s presence. Couldn’t have done it without you!
RYAN WILCOX
ROLE: Assistant Set Designer
NEPTUNE: In Lieu of Flowers, Little Thing Big Thing (Sound Design) UPCOMING: Ballad of the Motherland (Set Design Assistant), Billy Elliot: The Musical (Chrysalis Lighting Design Assistant) OTHER DESIGNS: The Three Questions (Set Design, Phin Performing Arts) Outside Inn (Set Design Assistant, Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre) Crypthand (Associate Set and Lighting, Galeforce Theatre), Altar (Lighting Design, Todos Productions), Untitled Flamingo Play (Sound Design, Talk is Free Theatre), Hamlet, As You Like it (Sound Designer, Perchance Theatre) #IAMTHECHEESE (Video Design Assistsant, Eastern Front Theatre) TRAINING: Production Design and Technical Arts, National Theatre School of Canada
KAELEN MCDONALD
ROLE: Costume Designer
NEPTUNE: Peter Pan, Cinderella & Shakespeare in Love (Assistant Costume Design). OTHER THEATRE: Concord Floral (Costume Design, FSPA) Birds of a Feather, (Costume Design, Neptune YPCO) Seeds of Change, (Costume Design, Neptune YPCO), The Hobbit (Designer, Neptune YPCO). FILM: From S1 & 2 (Costume Truck Supervisor), Washington Black (Costume Truck Supervisor, Halifax).
OTHER: Kaelen is a Halifax based designer, working in theatre and film. She is delighted to have been a part of this project, and has big thanks for everyone involved.
JESSICA LEWIS
ROLE: Lighting Designer
NEPTUNE: Lighting Designer: Alice in Pantoland, Fully Committed, The Last 5 Years, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Shakespeare In Love, In A World Created By A Drunken God, Drowning Girls (w/DMV Theatre). OTHER THEATRE (SELECTED WORKS): As Lighting Designer: Fat Juliet (Eastern Front Theatre), WHODUNIT? (Votive Dance), Tiny, Slowly I Turn, How Small How Far Away (Zuppa Works), Broadway on Argyle St, Under Milk Wood, Fishing (Off The Leash Productions Inc.).
ALISON CROSBY
ROLE: Stage Manager
NEPTUNE: The Rocky Horror Show (SM); Calendar Girls, Peter Pan, Cinderella (ASM); Lo (Or Dear Mr. Wells), The Color Purple (Assist. Lighting Designer, Chrysalis Project). OTHER THEATRE: Let’s Run Away (rework Production / Royal MTC), The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time (National Arts Centre/Neptune Theatre); Chasing Champions, After Eepersip Disappeared, Hook Line & Sinner (Ship’s Company Theatre); Samqwan, House, John & Jen, YAGA (Highland Arts Theatre); The Hound of the Baskervilles, Kingfisher Days, Stage Kiss (Festival Antigonish). TRAINING: Mount Allison University. OTHER: Neptune Theatre’s INKubator Project (In Lieu of Flowers).
CASSIE WESTBROOK
ROLE: Apprentice Assistant Stage Manager
NEPTUNE: Misery (Appr. ASM); Elf: The Musical (Swing Dresser); YPCO’s 13: The Musical (Cast) UPCOMING: Casey and Diana (Stratford Festival) SELECT ELSEWHERE: The Hobbit (Festival Antigonish); A Midsummer Night’s Wet Dream (Tea Time Creation Co.); The Crucible, Dog in the Manger, Mary Stuart (FSPA); The Triangle Factory Fire Project (CCPA). TRAINING: Dalhousie University’s Fountain School of Performing Arts (FSPA), and the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA). ONLINE: cassiewestbrook.com, @casswestb. ET CETERA: Love to my family and friends for their endless love and support! x
DEVON MCCARRON
ROLE: RBC Chrysalis Lighting
NEPTUNE: Elf The Musical OTHER THEATRE: Stage Management Apprentice: The Drawer Boy, Educating Rita (Watermark Theatre); Lighting Design Intern: Tell Tale Harbour, Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (Charlottetown Festival); Actor: La Calandra, Women of Troy, Love and Infor- mation, Don Juan Comes Back from the War (FSPA) TRAIN- ING: Fountain School of Performing Arts. OTHER: I’m grateful to be back in Halifax, surrounded by dear friends, and to be working with Neptune!
LINDA MEIAN
ROLE: Chrysalis Production Dramaturgy NEPTUNE: Debut. ACTING: Macro Digitals: Connections (Eastern Front Theatre); First Flight (Two Planks and a Passion Theatre); Observatory Mansions (Villains Theatre); Late Night Radio (North Barn Theatre Collective); Settle Elsewhere (Theatre du Poulet); Dante’s Purgatorio, Secret in the Wings (FSPA).STAGE MANAGEMENT: Coarse (Villains Theatre). AWARDS: Andrew and David Stitt Memorial Award (2017). TRAINING: Fountain School of Performing Arts, B.A. w/ Honours in Theatre (Acting). OTHER: Please consider supporting Ukraine by making a donation through one of the links provided in the program.
ROLE: 2023 RBC Chrysalis Participant: Video and Projection Design NEPTUNE: Debut TRAINING: Masters of Fine Arts, NSCAD University 2022 OTHER: Technical Assistant and Production Manager, Prismatic Arts Festival 2022; Director at Large, Nocturne: Art at Night Board of Directors. Special thanks to the cast, crew, Annie and Neptune for the inspiring experience!
