larry's blog

When we were plannig our first season, we wanted to announce a major commission as a way of serving notice of our intentions to support modern creative work, as well as reviving older pieces. James Rolfe seemed a logical choice, as he had had many successes with stage works (Beatrice Chancy among them). One of the "older" pieces we were looking at producing was Charpentier's mini-masterpiece La Descente d'Orphée aux Enfers, which had enjoyed a revival due to a fine recording by Les Arts Florissants.

Toronto Masque Theatre was founded in 2003, as a result of many serendipitous factors. TMT artistic director Larry Beckwith sat down with a number of his trusted friends in January, 2003 in the Upper Library at Massey College and outlined plans for a new performing arts company that would combine many of his passions and interests. These included theatre, dance, baroque music, contemporary music and the joy of performing with committed, dedicated, thoughtful artists. The response to these plans was very positive and an initial Board of Directors was struck.

Just enjoying the last few days of March Break before diving into the various activities of the spring term at school and the busy road ahead for TMT.

We're all very excited at TMT these days as we prepare for the upcoming Masque of Irony shows, put finishing touches on the plans for our 2011-12 season, and look ahead to the Masques of Orpheus production in May. These all involve meetings, planning sessions and lots of dreaming! The first two can be exhausting and challenging, but I never get tired of the dreaming part.

We at TMT are doing a little stock-taking, on this final day of 2010, but mostly are regrouping from a fabulous time last Wednesday with the Mummers show, and looking forward to our Masque of Irony at the end of February. The Mummers night at the Tranzac was a hoot. The singers knocked themselves out and made their scenes hilarious, touching and full of Newfie energy!

After a summer of varied music-making, reading and travel, we're back at it on the TMT front! I hope that you enjoy our subtle new look and the "tag line" under our logo: the arts in fusion. We are in the middle of our subscription drive now. I'm really proud of the season we've put together. It should be a diverse, fun and moving collection of performances. We're still putting the pieces together for the Muses show in November. I will write more about that process in the coming days.

Thanks to all who came out to the Moliere shows this week. It was an extraordinary experience seeing this production take shape and grow through the week and tremendously gratifying to play in front of such a large, warm and appreciative audience last night. It was an epic journey for us, but completely worth the effort. Wonderful to see so many friends and supporters, and to gain a deeper understanding of masque, from the French perspective! Stay tuned.....

The fun continued today as we put everyone together - actors, dancers, singers - for the first time, two days before opening! As always seems to happen, everyone was delighted with each other and there was much hilarity and interest in each performer's "moments". One of the many fascinating and brilliant aspects of this production, for me, is the tremendous chemistry that Derek (the Bourgeois) and Jean-Francois Gagnon (Le Malade) have.

Another great day of rehearsal today. I realize I haven't written for a couple of days, but things have been busy. With the arrival of the dancers and Dorothea Ventura last night, everyone is now in town and the race to opening night begins....We had a good day yesterday with the small orchestra (recorder, 2 violins, 2 violas, cello and harpsichord) and singers. The whole idea of the evening is that M.

Another terrific day in the studio, this time rehearsing the big fight that happens in Le Bourgeois between the Music Master, Dancing Master, Fencing Master and Philosopher. M. Jourdain is a wealthy merchant who has hired experts in the fields of art, combat and philosophy. He has his private lessons, and when his teachers come in contact with one another, they quarrel about who's profession is the most worthwhile and who's is worthless! At one point in the play, the argument becomes so heated that it erupts in fight.