TORONTO, January 9, 2002 -- Theatre @ York opens its second show of the season, Timberlake Wertenbaker’s The Grace of Mary Traverse, directed by Lynn Howard, on January 22.

A multi-layered and potent drama, The Grace of Mary Traverse chronicles the exploits of an impassioned young woman who pushes through patriarchal barriers in her quest for identity and empowerment, only to flirt with tyranny and misogyny herself. Award-winning feminist playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker uses 18th-century London as the backdrop to Mary’s disturbing and sometimes darkly comic spiral within the male-dominated realms of gambling, illicit sex, politics and religion. The setting serves as an appropriate and artful metaphor for the imbalance of power and the myriad tragedies this can spawn.

"Beyond feminism, the play is about exploitation and exclusion," explains director Lynn Howard. "It looks at the universal issues of justice and power devoid of morality."

"Given recent atrocities," she notes, "I think these ideas are extremely relevant to a contemporary audience. Mary is a phenomenal character who’s driven by her desire to be more than an ornament in an oppressive society. Her longing to experience the world as men do leads to her own downfall, but it’s such a captivating unravelling that I think people will really respond to the play."

Howard has been centrally involved in theatre projects for The Vancouver Youth Theatre and the school districts of Vancouver and Richmond, B.C. since 1993. She is currently completing a graduate degree in directing at York University’s Department of Theatre.

Theatre @ York productions showcase the talents of York theatre students. The cast for The Grace of Mary Traverse is drawn from the fourth-year acting ensemble. Set design is by Andrea Mittler, with costume design by Diane Jenkins and lighting design by Ashlee Cowan.

When:
Jan. 22 - 26
Previews: Sun., Jan. 20 (PWYC) & Mon., Jan. 21 ($5) at 7:30 p.m.
Opening: Tues., Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Run: Tues., Jan. 22 – Sat., Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. (Jan. 23 at 6:00 p.m.)
Matinees: Wed., Jan. 23 & Fri., Jan. 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Admission: $12; Students/Seniors $8; Groups of 15 or more $5 each

WHERE:
Joseph G. Green Studio Theatre, Centre for Film and Theatre, York University, 4700 Keele Street

Tickets/Info: 416-736-5172, ext. 3

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For further information, please contact:

Nathalie-Roze Fischer Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts York University 416-736-2100, ext. 20421 nfischer@yorku.ca