I remember watching the 1966 film with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and being slightly impressed, but I didn't understand the importance and the weight of the story. That was until I stepped into the Young Centre in the Distillery District and headed towards the Baillie Theatre.
I took in the stage that was in front of me; I was in the second row so I really had nowhere else to look, but it was a wonderful set. I didn't know what to expect or what was going to happen before my eyes. I was ready to be taken away as the lights dimmed and Nancy Palk and Diego Matamoros entered as the infamous Martha and George.
I followed the story extremely well and found myself thinking "Elizabeth Taylor has nothing on Nancy Palk, this woman is amazing." I also found myself thinking "Diego Matamoros should always and forever be George."
I was swept away by the design of the production and the whirlwind of the story I was taken on. I felt I was on a roller-coaster and I never wanted to get off, until I found myself crying at the sight of Martha's collapse. I was punched in the stomach in the most satisfying way possible.
As I stood up to join the standing ovation of the audience I fell in love with The Distillery District, The Young Centre, with Palk and Matamoros, and will Soulpepper.
That production was the first thing I had ever seen and said "I want to do that, I want to act, I need to create and be part of such a wonderful community." So I guess that was one of the first moments I decided I wanted to be an actor/theatre artist.
Thank you Soulpepper!
If you want to understand where I'm coming from, or already know what I'm talking about and want to revisit the greatness visit http://www.soulpepper.ca to see their new season of wonderful productions that are going to be just as mind blowing as Virginia Woolf.
You can also follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/Soulpepper
And like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SoulpepperTheatre?fref=ts
With love,
Lisa Alves
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