This night, this reading, is thanks to Tracy Wright. In more way than I can express, she is what makes it possible – what brings us together to do this crazy thing. And people who make crazy things possible are always in need of thanks. Tracy has made many crazy, beautiful things possible.
This one’s for her.
Life of Galileo – 2010
A new translation of Brecht’s The Life of Galileo.
A community event.
About the play: A sharp, complex and necessary look at the nature and making of authority and responsibility.
Brecht's play pushes beyond the story of Galileo that we all know – that of a great scientist prosecuted by the ignorant Church and nobly recanting in order to write his 'world-changing masterwork' in secret – to question the legend that has emerged around this controversial figure. Completed after the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Brecht's Life of Galileo lays bare the notion of scientific research and progress 'for its own sake'. It proposes a social and ethical responsibility for scientists and intellectuals that remains radical in these days of venture capital science and economic justifications. Forcefully asking what the role of the intellectual and thinker is in relation to power and the status quo, Life of Galileo stands as a vitally important drama.
"In these times, it’s easy to back away from big plays and big ideas," says Jacob Zimmer, Artistic Director of Small Wooden Shoe. "Through the presentation of this new translation we grapple with and re-imagine our theatrical and scientific traditions, and approach Brecht and Galileo for what they might tell us now, about our lives today." In this new translation by Zimmer with Birgit Schreyer Duarte and directed by Zimmer, Life of Galileo thrills and excites with its examination, reflection and provocation on contemporary issues of authority.
For Tracy.
A winter and spring of visiting Tracy and reading Galileo together around her kitchen table over the finest Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
A gift of people coming together to read to her from Convocation Hall to her hospital room.
Tracy Wright passed away June 22, 2010.
A letter Don wrote can be read here.
We miss you Tracy,
and are thankful you were in our lives.
The original reading, for Tracy
Small Wooden Shoe reads
A new translation of
Bertolt Brecht’s
Life of Galileo
Sunday, May 30th, 2010 – Convocation Hall
By donation to The Actors’ Fund of Canada
Fiona Highet read the part of Galileo.
Joining her to create this landmark event were Andrea Davis, Andrea Donaldson, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Brendan Healy, Brendan Gall, Birgit Schreyer Duarte, Cara Gee, Caroline Gillis, Clinton Walker, Daniel MacIvor, Darren O'Donnell, David Fox, Earl Pastko, Elley-Ray Hennessy, Erin Shields, Evan Webber, Fiona Highet, Frank Cox-O’Connell, Gregory Prest, Guillermo Verdecchia, Jenny Jimenez, Kirsten Johnson, Laura Barrett, Leora Morris, Lyon Smith, Mark Loeser, Matt Baram, Matt Murphy, Michelle Polak, Nadia Ross, Naomi Sniekus, Naomi Campbell, Ravi Jain, Richard Alan Campbell, Richard Feren, Robin Fulford, Sky Gilbert and Tony Nappo.
This group of collaborators spans several generations of great Toronto independent and contemporary theatre makers coming together for one night only.
Toronto musicians Laura Barrett and Matt Murphy provide the live soundtrack to this momentous event.