Local playwright Bill Marchant to present Gift of Screws at Jericho Arts Centre

Bill Marchant who won a Golden Zenith award for his film Everyone at the Montreal World Film Festival in 2004 and has directed numerous short films and plays is set to present two original one-act plays in Gift of Screws, at the Jericho Arts Centre opening October 6 thru to October 17, 2009.

Promising to provoke and shake our notion of truth, comedy Marchant-style will begin with What Then Must We Do, asking us to look at the price we pay for art. Is any sum too high? A tyrannical director in search of the perfect performance asks that very same question.

The second act, Muzzle of Bees, pitches five prisoners of war against the true dark in a piece that is designed to leave us thinking and blinking long after the lights come up.

Marchant tells us it is love at all costs with surprises, humour and what he calls a jolting perspective on the human condition.  “The immediate and electric experience of the live stage allows us to get to the very marrow of human experience," said Marchant. "No place to run or hide. It is us at our most human. Free and fun and terrifying and true."

Marchant’s last production Ashes played to packed and enthusiastic houses while his previous play, Clown Elections was a hit with the crowds and winning unanimous praise from critics.

The creative team consists of producers Cheryl Smith and Simon Ogden, writer and director Marchant, production designer Hilary Marsh, sound designer Scott Sanft, and, graphic artist Asa Cederholm. The all local cast includes Jordie Jacura, Matt Fentiman, Nadine Wright, Dan Letto, Blaine Nosworthy, Karston Borst, Lars Callsen, Shane Michael Leydon and Stephen Park.

Gift of Screws runs Tuesday to Saturday, October 6 to 17 at 8:00 pm. Ticket prices $15 for seniors and students and $20 for adults. Two for One Tuesdays. Coarse Language – Nudity - Strong Adult Themes. Tickets are available through Jericho Box Office at 604-224-8007 or for more info please visit www.jerichoartscentre.com. Additional show info at giftofscrews.org.