VENUE AND TIMES
Where:
907 Pandora - The Conservatory of Music Gym, aka "The Gym"
When:
Sat Aug. 24th 7:15PM, Sun Aug 25 5:45PM, Tues Aug 27 10:00PM,
Sat Aug 31 1:30PM, Sun Sept 1 6:15PM, Mon Sept 2 11:45 AM
A true story about sincerity, sexuality and addiction in the play Cigarette Diaries debutes at the Victoria Fringe Festival 2002, Aug. 23 to Sept. 2. Written and performed by a local artist, Lidia D'Angelo, the tale of two characters is told through night walks and Mocha House visits. You've probably seen them walking around town. The relationship between eighteen year old Aaron Webster and twenty nine year old Lidia is unusual, yet they hold on to a four year long friendship when secrets are shared.
The ninety minute play focuses on two intense weeks after Aaron reveals his homosexuality and discovers Lidia's eating disorder just days later. The story progresses through Aaron's intuitive mind and endless questions about himself and his friendship. As he tries to understand the world around him, Aaron experiences an eye opening event that leads him to questions about the existence of God.
The reality of living with deep rooted issues about sexuality and addictions comes through in the dialogue between the two characters. "I'm aware of the vulnerability that comes with writing a biography of this nature; however I wanted tell the story of an intense time in our lives that changed us forever," says D'Angelo. Their desperate struggle to understand the other is symbolic of their friendship and unleashes humorous and tragic stories.
The play isn't only about the issues but rather the relationship between friends. Aaron's words, "It's like I'm meeting you all over again" inspired Lidia to write the play the morning after their first intense conversation about their secrets. "From that point on I remembered every conversation we had for more than two weeks. Coming out with any secret is one thing, staying out is another," says D'Angelo. Brandon Hamilton is excited to play the role of Aaron because of his similar experiences, "I can relate to so much of what Aaron has gone through because coming out was a big point in my life." Hamilton was also inspired by the relationship between characters, "They deal with events happening around them all at once. You can see how they deal with life differently."
Lidia D'Angelo is a co-creator of Kindred Theatre, an independent youth theatre group that grew out of four years of teaching theatre arts in the local high schools. They are recognized in the community for their original plays, [email protected] on youth homelessness, Balderdash about HIV and STDs, and Heart of my Home about B.C farmers. Cigarette Diaries is her first solo writing project, yet the youth actors' participation and support is what motivates her the most.
Visit their web site at kindred theatre or contact Lidia D'Angelo at [email protected] or 388-3667. To download the poster of the play go to orcagirl and click on Cigarette Diaries.