The Big Smoke: Canadian Premiere of an award-winning one-woman show inspired by the lives of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton.

THE BIG SMOKE

BY THEATRE AD INFINITUM

February 21 – March 4, 2012
Factory Studio Theatre, Toronto

Theatre Ad Infinitum's Canadian Premiere of an award-winning one-woman show inspired by the lives of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton.

In a courageous physical performance with a completely original text and score sung a cappella, Amy Nostbakken tells the story of a brilliant young artist from Toronto given the opportunity of a lifetime: a solo exhibit at London’s Tate Modern Art Gallery. Nathalie has everything to live for: good looks, talent, a loving family, amazing scholarships and a career just waiting to take off. But just as she is rising to the heights of her potential, she begins to spiral down into the depths of depression. Through swanky gallery parties and grim pub toilets, ex-boyfriends and meddling aunts, mauled dogs and crashed cyclists, her descent into madness unfolds. The Big Smoke is a stunning experience that walks the fine line between sanity and psychosis.

Theatre Ad Infinitum, in association with Why Not Theatre presents The Big Smoke winner of the Argus Angel Award at the 2011 Brighton Festival Fringe. Nostbakken was also nominated for Best Female Performer in the Latest Awards, Brighton. The production premiered to rave reviews at the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, leading to a national tour of Britain in spring/summer 2011 that included stops in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford and Leeds.

The Big Smoke is a co-devised piece directed by Nir Paldi, with music and performance by Amy Nostbakken.

Tickets are available via www.factorytheatre.ca, by email atboxoffice@factorytheatre.ca, by phone at 416-504-9971, or at the door.

More info can be found at www.theatreadinfinitum.co.uk

WATCH THE BIG SMOKE TRAILER HERE

If you would like help Bring The Big Smoke to the stage you can donate here.

The nominations for the Manchester Theatre Awards were announced a few days ago and we are very proud to tell you that Amy Nostbakken is nominated for 'Best Studio Performance'for her performance of The Big Smoke directed by Nir Paldi that performed at The Lowry Studio in 2011.

You can read more about this award and find out who else is nominated by clicking here

“I was pinned to my seat by Amy Nostbakken’s a cappellaperformance…A brave and devastatingly effective form…”
- Bella Todd (The Guardian)

“* * * * * This performance left me transfixed, overwhelmed and weeping, utterly stunning’’

- WhatsOnStage

“I was captivated for an hour by Amy Nostbakken’s warbled narrative, and clapped and whooped accordingly at the end…This play was excellent, something special’’

- The Observer (The Guardian, UK)

“* * * * * A powerful, brave and frightening piece of theatre from a company whose work commands respect”

- Argus Angel (UK)

“* * * * 'Last Fringe, Theatre Ad Infinitum wowed us with its epic one-man show, Odyssey...well, they've done it again, this time with female actor Amy Nostbakken.”

- The Scotsman (UK)

“* * * * This is no ordinary one woman play, but a mini opera, an aria, a narrative poem performed a capella…a fresh, inventive, challenging piece of musical theatre, performed with imagination and genuine insight.’’

- Edinburgh Guide

“I search for the words to describe it as it takes such an extraordinary form”

- Total Theatre Magazine (UK)

Tags: Ad, Amy, Infinitum, Lecoq, Nostbakken, Physical, Theatre, Toronto, factory