Intrepid Theatre

Like Orpheus is a candid dive into queer club culture and the trauma of sexual assault. Told through poetic text, raw movement and evocative soundscape Like Orpheus jumps around in time and place like a cacophony of thoughts and dreams happening at once. The show follows two narratives; a violent assault of a young boy dancing in an underground club and years later when he is haunted by reoccurring visions of his traumatic past. Through fragments of a chance meeting between a man and his younger self the two stories collide and the lines of fantasy and reality are blurred immersing the audience inside a waking dream. Using a Greek myth as an entry point, Like Orpheus addresses issues within the queer community – asking us to intentionally look back and face the trauma of our past.

Note – this show contains strobe lighting effects.

“…a stunning one of a kind performance.” – Fringe Review Ireland

About the company
Theatre Outré is a professional theatre company based in Lethbridge, Alberta. Founded in 2012 by artistic director Jay Whitehead, Theatre Outré is a leading outlet for alternative queer theatre in Alberta and the producer of the hugely successful Pretty Witty & Gay Cabaret & Festival. It also operates its own venue in Lethbridge, Didi’s Playhouse. www.theatreoutre.ca

Brett Dahl is a queer actor, dancer, writer, director, and educator born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. Like Orpheus premiered in Lethbridge at Theatre Outre in 2019 followed by an award-winning remount at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Brett is also one of 12 playwrights as part of the Alberta Queer Calendar Project presented by Cardiac Theatre in 2020. Brett is a graduate of the BFA Acting Program from the University of Alberta and is an Associate Artist with Theatre Outré. He was the recipient of Theatre Calgary’s Stephen Hair Emerging Actor Award in 2015 and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award in 2018.

Credits:
Writer/Performer/Choreographer: Brett Dahl
Performer/Choreographer: Kevin Jesuino
Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Jordan Payne
Director: Jay Whitehead
Dramaturgy: Damien Atkins
Sound Design: Lyndsay Labrecque
Set and Costume Design: Deonie Hudson
Lighting Designer, Original Production: Dave Smith
Promotional photo: Alistair Newton
Production photos: Jamie Vedres

Special thanks:
University of Lethbridge, Lunchbox Theatre, Calgary Arts Development and the Luitenant Governor General of Alberta

Like Orpheus is a Canadian Actors’ Equity Association production under the Festival Policy.