by Jeremy Tow

This production of South Pacific is an example of my passion for approaching a familiar piece of theatre with innovation and surprise. At my first meeting with the designers, I said: "Let's run, run... as far as we can from Gilligan's Island!" We began our collaboration with inspirations from the art work, culture, and the natural world of the indigenous peoples of the South Pacific. Rather than an outdated cliché, Bloody Mary will emerge as a vibrant bird of paradise with a nest of crimson grass skirts holding a shaman's driftwood staff topped by her signature prop: the shrunken head. The design for the other natives is motivated by cultural, rather than racial references. They will wear partially-shear body suits that are covered in tattoos, with half masks and elements from the natural world. Their movement will be organic, graceful, powerful - reflecting the environment in which they live. They will be in stark contrast to the highly-structured parade formations and the starched, drab uniforms of the American military. And the cast and the musical director! I couldn't offer you a more seasoned and exciting ensemble - possibly the strongest group of musicians and actors we've ever assembled in Chemainus. I love this play: it's not only a joyful celebration, but also an exploration of the collision of two cultures. It uncovers the roots of racism, ponders the nature of heroism, it pulls off a veil of hypocrisy and exposes the truth, it revels in the major theme of the piece: the dream of an enchanted evening - and it ends quietly with a deep understanding of what itmeans to move beyond one's prejudices and fears, and to embrace a new understanding of what the future can be. Enjoy!

Biography

Jeremy is an actor, director and a playwright, and has been the Artistic Director of CTF for the past 10 seasons. Recent credits include La Boheme for the Vancouver Opera (assistant director), A Man for All Seasons for Pacific Theatre (director), and the title character in Hamlet for The Globe Theatre of the Great Southwest.