Ambitious Sci-Fi Thriller Makes World Premiere at the HAT

Photo by Wesley J. Colford
Rachael Murphy, Kevin Munroe, Robyn Lee Seale, Michael McPhee, Scott Stephenson, Sherry Smith, and George MacKenzie (listed left to right), stand on the HAT stage alongside the experimental projection based set for the world premiere of The Proletariat.


September 7th, 2022. SYDNEY, NS — It’s been 5 years since Robert Merritt Award winning playwright Michael McPhee’s writing first visited the stage of the Highland Arts Theatre. Now the Cole Harbour native has chosen the Downtown Sydney theatre as the home for the world premiere of his latest work, The Proletariat.

“The Proletariat is for anyone who’s ever felt like they were being watched by their computer or listened to by their phone,” said artistic and executive director Wesley J. Colford. Adding, “In the vein of recent hits like HBO’s Westworld, mixed with inspiration of classics from future’s past like Blade Runner, this show is thrilling, moving, and imaginatively haunting. In many ways it’s pushing the boundaries of what would normally be attempted on a theatre stage.”

A summary of the new stage show reads, “Inspired by the disturbing work of Tristan Harris (The Social Dilemma) and Jaron Laniers (Ten Reasons to Delete Your Social Media...) on how algorithms shape our society, the play is a direct reflection of our current cultural landscape. Our attention, democracy, and even free will have been compromised in an effort to make us more predictable customers. The play attempts to shine a light on this issue by asking the question, ‘What happens if these algorithms, whose sole purpose is to drive consumption, are taken to their most extreme level?’”

In addition to writing the show, McPhee will also serve as the director of his work this time around. Incorporating video, sound design, and tailor made projections to transport the audience to the future.

Five actors star in the show, including local favourites George MacKenzie, Robyn Lee Seale, and Wesley J. Colford. Joining them are acclaimed Halifax-based actors Scott Stephenson and Sherry Smith (the latter boasting 8 Seasons at the renowned Shaw Festival).

 

McPhee’s play is the first in the line up of the HAT’s newly announced 2022 Fall Season, which includes shalan joudry’s acclaimed show KOQM, and a fresh comedic take on the classic novel Pride & Prejudice. All three shows are offering PWYC (Pay-What-You-Can) tickets and free tickets for those in need, thanks to the charity’s Radical Access Program.

The Proletariat, opens September 13th and continues through September 18th at 7:30PM with an additional show at 2:00PM on the 18th. A web-stream will also be made available of the show from October 6th-9th on the HAT’s YouTube and Facebook.

Tickets are available now and can all be booked online at www.highlandartstheatre.com, by phone at (902) 565-3637, or in person at the HAT's box office at 40 Bentinck Street in Downtown Sydney between noon and 6:00PM.

Production Media Reference: 

Wesley J. Colford Phone: (902) 565-5970
Email: [email protected]


Highland Arts Theatre

40 Bentinck Street, Sydney, NS B1P 1G2

902.565.3637

[email protected]

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