I am an agent of progress.
“Boldly imaginative... brilliantly conceived and directed.” – Bob Clark, Calgary Herald
A primal western mythology inspired by the stunning visual iconography of Sergio Leone’s ‘spaghetti westerns.’ Set against the backdrop of an encroaching railway, of great forces vying to shape the contours of this new land, and a slain hero resurrected by ancient gods to avenge a tragic past, Something to do With Death is a fable for modern times that exemplifies the best of Leone’s renowned mythology: a gun-slinging, pulse-pounding tale of vengeance, renewal, and rugged perseverance.
Flush with dreams of starting life anew, Claudia has just arrived at a dusty farm on the outlay of a frontier town to find her new husband and family murdered. Alone and very much out of her element, she hurries to leave, before an unexpected discovery stays her departure. But Claudia soon finds that others have designs on her unexpected inheritance, and will stop at nothing to remove her from her property.
awards
Nomination - Outstanding Lighting Design (Alexandra Prichard) 2010 Betty Mitchell Awards
Nomination - Outstanding Sound Design (Matthew Waddell) 2010 Betty Mitchell Awards
Nomination - Outstanding Set Design (Tyler Sainsbury) 2010 Betty Mitchell Awards
Nomination - Outstanding Costume Design (Tyler Sainsbury) 2010 Betty Mitchell Awards
Nomination - FFWD Weekly Readers’ Choice Award
Credits
Created by the Invisible Elephant Ensemble
Concept and Direction: Eric Rose
Production: David van Belle
Text: Jason Patrick Rothery
Outside Dramaturgy: Amy Lynn Strilchuk
Stage Management: Carla Ritchie
Set and Costume Design: Tyler Sainsbury
Sound Design: Matthew Waddell
Lighting Design: Alexandra Prichard
Assistant Stage Management: Teddy Ivanova
Design Assistants: Brett Dahl and Erin Gruber
Set Construction: Neil Fleming
Photography: Douglas R. Witt
FEATURING
Geoffrey Ewert as The Smoking Man, Joshua, Driver, Herman
Jamie Konchak as Tick Tock, Percy
Phillip Warren Sarsons as Jack
Jordan Schartner as Baxter, Finch, Ticket taker
Kelly Spilchak as Claudia
Earlier workshop contributors: Jason Carnew, Rick Duthie, Graham Percy
praise for something to do with death
“Boldly imaginative... brilliantly conceived and directed.” – Bob Clark, Calgary Herald
“Visually stunning... A feast for the senses.” - Louis B. Hobson, Calgary Sun