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Dissociative Me (Faust)

Loose Tea Music Theatre

RED Nightclub, Toronto

August 2015

A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)
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Production details

Description

Updated and re-imagined for the 21st century, this English transladaptation of Gounod's Faust envisions Faust as a recent PhD grad who is not only dealing with post-education unemployment and heavy debt, but also his inner demons and split-personality disorder. The story's natural cinematic physiological thriller aspects became the aesthetic of the show, resulting in a very different type of opera experience. Presenting this production at RED Nightclub enabled the creation of a dark and intense world where the common fears of today are explored. 

Creative Team

  • Alaina Viau, Director
  • Jennifer Tung, Music Director
  • Oz Weaver, Lighting Designer
  • Maureen Russell, Costume Designer
  • Rachel McCaig, Photographer

Performers

  • Kijong Wi, John Faust
  • Michael York, Lee Mephist
  • Beth Hagerman, Maggie (Stephen's sister)
  • Johnathon Kirby, Stephen (Maggie's older Brother)
  • Jonathan Sandberg, Wagner (Friend of Stephen)
  • Fabian Acinigas, Mike (Friend of Stephen)
  • Carl Lyons, The Awesome Carl

Production Videos & Photos

  • A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)
  • A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)
  • A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)
  • A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)
  • A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)
  • A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)
  • A scene from Alaina's production of Dissociative Me (Faust)

Press & Reviews

  • “Thanks to the wonderful vision of Artistic Director, Alaina Viau, it was a fun prance through the land of Mephistopheles. If this is any indication of the direction of Loose Tea in the future, you’ll want to see what they come up with next.”

    Ludwig van Toronto

  • “Alaina Viau’s stark contemporary précis, rebranded as Dissociative Me, struck a powerful chord. Faust has rarely seemed darker and arguably never more psychotic.”

    Opera Going Toronto

  • “It is a ferociously clever creative approach, one that lends itself to intense, resonant dramatization. Dissociative Me crackles with combustible energy.”

    Opera Going Toronto

  • “The stunning originality of Viau’s vision and a fully engaged, irrepressible cast grip the imagination.”

    Opera Going Toronto

  • “Modest in commercial stature, Loose Tea Music Theatre casts a disproportionately long artistic shadow. Anarchic, irreverent, Dissociative Me is a prime example of what makes this compact company well worth watching. This is high stakes opera built on a gamble. Viau and company have taken a huge risk renovating a formidable work with Faust’s sprawling dimensions. And yet, against enormous odds, they have prevailed. Dissociative Me is a winner.”

    Opera Going Toronto

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