Nov. 18 - 29, 2015 @ The InterUrban Gallery
(1 E. Hastings)
The classic Reginald Rose drama based on 12 Angry Men revived by Theatre In the Raw!
October 29th - November 9th, 2014
The third original musical in the "Untold Stories of Vancouver" trilogy based on a true story of community empowerment and non-violent protest!
The Raymur Mothers is an iconic story, full of colourful characters (real and imagined) drama, action, romance, passions, ideals, humor and rousing songs. While the exploits of the Raymur mothers have already become part of the folklore of the Downtown Eastside, they have yet to be given the serious wider attention they deserve.
Nine years ago, Theatre In the Raw produced a version of The Raymur Mothers as a radio play and broadcast it in its entirety over Vancouver Co-Op Radio CFRO-FM. Theatre In the Raw also performed a live reading for a new generation of students at the Admiral Seymour Elementary School in the Downtown Eastside near where the historical events took place.
Our new expanded version, to be produced in the fall of 2014, will be a full-scale, two-act play, with original music and songs. It will be the third entry in our cycle of Untold Stories of Vancouver - plays that recall significant historical moments in the Downtown Eastside that have not always been publicly recognized. We select these subjects of our plays because they were community building moments for Vancouver.
As a snapshot of an era, the play explores the experiences of people trying to cope with the discouraging realities of poverty and the rising expectations of dignity at all levels of society. The mothers in the Raymur Place social housing project are active participants and non-violent demonstrators in the public spectacles of the day. Their efforts to have an overpass built over major railroad tracks in order for their children to get safely to school is the main plot point to set the story off. They characters are also trying to navigate their way within relationships that are affected by contemporary social currents, especially a newly cresting wave of feminism and an awakening voice of people in poverty.
As part of the workshop process, a free public reading was held at the Ray-Cam Cooperative Centre (920 East Hastings) - April 21st 2013 - 1:30 PM
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As part of the 2012 Heart of the City Festival...
Talk Medicine - written by Sheryl Melnyk and produced by Theatre In the Raw as a part of the Heart of the City Festival
ARTS RATIONAL - Thursday November 1, 9pm - 10pm Live Broadcast Co-op Radio CFRO 100.5FM
Theatre in the Raw presents an original live radio drama on Arts Rational, a long lasting Co-op Radio program. Tonight's play is Talk Medicine, an Honorable Mention in the recent 7th Biennial One Act Playwriting Contest written by Alberta playwright Sherryl Melnyk, current Ph.D. student in Fine Arts at the University of Calgary. The monologue centres on a man reminiscing after suffering a heart attack, and his need to talk to ease his stress. The play focuses on the development of his moral character and the various ethical 'forks in the road' that he has faced. Roger Howie, a long time performer and writer with Theatre In the Raw, plays Lester, and Jay Hamburger directs. This presentation is the twenty-third original radio play that Theatre In the Raw has presented on Arts Rational. For your listening pleasure. (Taken from the Heart of the City Festival Program Guide)
Jay Hamburger, Roger Howie and Olivia Poon working on a scene at Vancouver's Co-Op Radio earlier this year (Photo by Jason Lang of The Vancouver Courier, June 2012 from an interesting Vancouver Courier Article on Radio Play work in and around Vancouver )
www.heartofthecityfestival.com
www.coopradio.org
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Our 2011 Mainstage Musical Production:
 Our 2010 One-Act Festival:
• Escape from Christmas to...
Theatre In the Raw's
International Mini-Fest of One Acts
Thank you to everyone who came out to see the shows - we really appreciate your wonderful support!
• Download our show Program (pdf), click here >>
December 2010
at the Little Mountain Gallery
195 east 26th Avenue - off Main Street
- google map here >>
We were proud to present 3 new original One Act plays:
1. A Girl on the Subway by Anthony Arnold
2. Affidavit by Matthew Heiti
3. The Private Life of Jesus Christ by David Sard
Above artwork/linocuts by Atty Gell © 2010
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Summertime Live Theatre...
Thanks for coming out - we so appreciate it!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our last mainstage show which ran from Dec 9-20, 2009 at Studio 16 in Vancouver, BC - Vatzlav by Slawomir Mrozek...
Our Festival of Mythical Plays and Winning One-Acts
Theatre In the Raw Took a Trio of Brand New One-Act Plays on the Road in June 2009!
 So, what do ya call a small swarm of buzzin’ bees that “tell”… a misplaced forearm gone awry… and a winged Jack Benny with an assignment?
It was our “Festival of Mythical Plays and Winning One-Acts”... We hit the road for a lower mainland mini-tour of original one-act plays in June and early July:
1. Nuclear Fall-In by Ed Ballou - an original winning One-Act Play – A nuclear family is living/working too close to a leaky nuclear plant. (no pun intended) Mutation of living creatures is on the rise. This play has a number of way out  surprises and something “loaded” to say.
"...We don't want to believe what we already know."
2. Jack Benny & The Angels by Jason Logan - an original One-Act Myth Radio Play – Jack is back but as an angel with an important job to do! Visiting earth, he interviews a whole slew of wacky characters who happen to reside in BC believe it or not. Is humanity worth saving is the question?
"...This show has a hilarious cast! - Not to be missed! ...You'll be on the floor in laughter..." plus... "A historical piece of Vancouver I never knew!..."
3. Telling Of The Bees by Jesse Matthew Cooper - an original One-Act Myth Play – Can bees help a troubled soul to tell the truth? A concerned father, an expectant wife, a farm to be sold all rest in the hands of someone with a secret that the bees want told. Note: Playwright Jesse Matthew Cooper was in attendance at the Sunday June 28, 2009 show in Vancouver.
"A very moving scene between a father and son and a mother-to-be..."
"Poignant and Prophetic..."
Directed by our own Jay Hamburger, artistic director of Theatre In the Raw.
Below... Some Promo Shots of the One-Acts We Presented...
 The Raw ITINERARY and where we went...
ABBOTSFORD: Fri, JUNE 12 and Sat, JUNE 13, 2009
- Abbotsford, BC @ F.A.C.E. - Festival of Artistic & Creative Expression - http://ragmag.net/face
VENUE: Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC
CHILLIWACK: Thurs, JUNE 18 and Fri, JUNE 19, 2009
- Chilliwack, BC
VENUE: Studio Theatre - at the University of the Fraser Valley, 45635 Yale Road, Chilliwack, BC
BURNABY: Sat, June 20, 2009
VENUE: Special Event Hall at National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby BC
VANCOUVER: June 25, 26, 27 & 28, 2009 (Thurs – Sun)
VENUE: Little Mountain Studios, 195 East 26th Avenue (just west off Main Street)
- All four nights were sold out - Thank you Vancouver!
VANCOUVER Afternoon OUTDOOR FREE EVENT: Sun, July 5, 2009
VENUE: Cedar Cottage Community Garden – Under the Sky Train at the big red “A” at Victoria Drive
- Above drawings by Atty Gell © 2009 • All rights reserved -
>>> Mythical Voices for Our Time & Winning One-Acts
A Part of Our Early Summer Mini-Tour 2009...
Theatre In the Raw has been producing and presenting Mythical Voices for Our Time Festival. We chose this project because we want to bring together writers from various, social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. The playwrights have been asked to write a one-act play or radio-play based on and related to their culture's myths. To take it a step further, the writers have been asked to personalize their myth and if possible modernize it in some way.
The Festival of Mythical Plays and Winning One-Acts supports Theatre In the Raw's mission to develop playwrights and new playworks. We are presently developing/dramaturging these one-acts with three to four experienced theatre consultants who are helping to get the plays ready to be produced. Some of the plays are coming from the Mythical… project and some from the recent winning plays with our 2007 Biennial One-Act Playwriting Contest.
To date, we have produced and performed two original myth one-acts at three different venues in Vancouver, BC, 2006-2007. Those plays are:
- Bonsai Friend by Petronella van Oyen
- The Toe Cutter by Bill Pollett ~ both One-acts produced as Radio Shows
For Part 2 of the project we've produced two more One-Act Mythical Plays:
-Jack Benny and The Angels by Jason Logan, produced as a radio show
-Telling of the Bees by Jesse Matthew Cooper as a stage production
Currently there are about 13 writers whose work we have either already produced or looking into producing the remaining plays submitted for The Festival of Mythical Plays and Winning One-Acts. (Please see above)
The project is both fascinating and very rewarding and we look forward to presenting the final stage of this project.
During the early Summer 2009 we presented a Mini-Tour around the lower mainland (including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Burnaby, Vancouver) - See the final plays and venues chosen from Part Two of our One-Act Festival work above.
Thank you to our sponsors & supporters of this project:
Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House Small Grants, The City of Vancouver - Office of Cultural Affairs, The BC Gaming Commission, The Vancouver Foundation, The McLean Foundation, The Hamber Foundation, Joanne Mackinnon - CCEC Credit Union, Theatre In the Raw Society, Vancouver Co-op Radio 102.7 FM - Arts Rational Show and Canadian Actor's Equity.
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>>> Bruce - The Musical by Bob Sarti...
 "...quite a sweet experience."
—Peter Birnie, The Vancouver Sun
"...the show was a roaring success on opening night..."
—Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Courier
"...its heart is in the right place..."
"...the music by Bill Sample and Earle Peach is excellent..."
—Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight
We're thrilled that our recent mainstage show, "Bruce - The Musical"... that ran from November 6 - 16, 2008 at the Russian Hall was a roaring success. We appreciate all the wonderful feedback and response we received so far... and we welcome your continued feedback - as it will be helpful for future projects. We welcome you to send us an email >>
"Bruce - The Musical" (formerly named "The Tipping Point") told the story (in music and song) of legendary Vancouver Downtown Eastside activist Bruce Eriksen - including Libby Davies, Jean Swanson and even a few dancing cockroaches to boot. Written by Bob Sarti, lyrics by Sarti... Music by composer Bill Sample (recipient of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame)... and Earle Peach and Directed by Jay Hamburger of Theatre In the Raw.
>>> Our 2008 Four-Province Summer Tour of One-Acts
 The Rolling Stock Prairie Theatre Tour
We went on the road and...
we had a blast!
We snatched the creative muse by the nose and went for it!!!
Theatre In the Raw embarked on one of its most ambitious projects to date. Presenting three original Canadian One-Acts, the troupe toured and played some of the most interesting venues in four western provinces. Besides three short plays, we also offered play-writing workshops in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Edmonton.
We wish to offer one great big thanks to all who came out to the shows supporting us and grassroots live theatre.
To further support us, we always welcome $5 memberships and donations to help us continue producing great Canadian live theatre... Click here to find out how you can support us on our Membership page >>
• Click here to go to our Tour Blog
for photos, videos, links, and other goodies >>
The Rolling Stock Prairie Theatre Tour... in the News >>
• Edmonton Vue Weekly
• The Regina Leader-Post
• The Jewish Independent
 The Original Canadian One-Acts we presented...
You Are What You Eat, by Patrick Foley (Vancouver, BC) One man's table in a local cafeteria is another man's established territory. Two bachelors - one young, one young at heart - compete for the attention of the pretty waitress and the right to sit at the table of their choice. Feathers are ruffled as these two Toms battle it out.
To the Queen, by Larry Trask (Nipawin, SK) Two elderly gentlemen meet in the park for their regular chess game - the last of the fall season. As they play and philosophize through chess, they're told to move on by a park worker and by the police. The demands of an out-door hockey rink conflict with the old gaffers' chess game. Who will prevail?
A Hot Box, by Jay Hamburger (Vancouver, BC) A real live, genuine, arrested, tree-hugger is putting the final touches on an art exhibit in her gallery. However, her work is interrupted by some unexpected knocking at her door. She doesn't want to answer - after all, anything could be behind a knock - but the knocks keep knocking...
Featuring Roger Howie, Maria Lakes, zi paris, and Serge Saika in various roles, as well as vocalist and composer Michelle A. Richard, who will be presenting Blues Dans La Nuit - a beautiful selection of traditional French-Canadian, jazz, and original songs, in both French and English.
Across four provinces... Here's where we went...
• VANCOUVER - May 21,22, 23, 24 - .PAL Theatre
• REGINA - May 27 - Templeton Studio Cabaret (Globe Theatre)
• WINNIPEG - May 29, 30, 31
- Colin Jackson Studio (Prairie Theatre Exchange) and The Ragpickers Anti-Fashion Emporium
• SASKATOON - June 2 - Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company
• EDMONTON - June 4, 5, 6 - The Third Space (Northern Light Theatre)
• CALGARY - June 7, 8 - Motel (One Yellow Rabbit)
Above: You Are What Your Eat by Patrick Foley
Starring Roger Howie, Serge Saika and Maria Lakes
Directed by Jay Hamburger • Video by Steve Duncan & Associates
"Theatre In the Raw is packing a cargo of issue-driven
one-act comedies and taking to the road…"
—Regina Leader Post
"Rolling Stock Prairie Theatre Tour quite the venture for a theatre company."
—Paul Blinov, Edmonton's Vue Weekly
"Genius for producing thought-provoking one-act plays…
[Theatre In the Raw] is the opportunity to help other people…"
—Cassandra Freeman, The Vancouver Jewish Independent
"Theatre In the Raw's timing couldn't be better...
relevant...got people thinking..."
—The Globe and Mail
Playwright Bob Sarti |
The Tipping Point (renamed Bruce—The Musical) by Bob Sarti became a main stage production November 6-16th, 2008 at the Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Avenue during the wonderful Heart of the City Festival in the DTES of Vancouver.
"Bruce" tells the story of legendary Bruce Eriksen who was instrumental in saving the Carnegie Centre at Main & Hastings in the core of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The script received a staged reading at the Ukrainian Hall in 2005.
Theatre In the Raw put together a cabaret of all the songs in the show along with narrative presented at Carnegie Theatre in 2006. Moving on, we had an intensive workshop with invited professionals at the Firehall Arts Centre in 2007. This has been an important piece about Vancouver's Downtown Eastside that has been in development for three years.
• More on Bruce—The Musical here >>
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>>> Our Other Past Theatrical Mainstage Productions include...
• Uncle Vanya - Anton Chekov
• Beyond the Call - Ernest Hekkanen
• Waiting for Godot - Samuel Beckett
• The New World Order - Herschel Hardin
• Top Girls - Caryl Churchill
• The Street - W. Ruth Kozak
• The Glace Bay Miners' Museum - Wendy Lill
• Medicine - LaVerne Adams
• The Inspector General - Nikolai Gogol
• Bruce - The Musical - Bob Sarti
• Vatzlav - Slawomir Mrozek
>>> Original One-Acts & Radio Plays...
 Theatre In the Raw is constantly on the lookout for new original and unique short-plays to be staged at our Festival of Original One-Acts performed at local venues. To date we have produced 160 Orignal One-Act Plays.
We have also produced 13 Original Radio Plays. The Radio Plays were created in the Carnegie Theatre Workshop, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Carnegie Community Centre. The 13 Original Radio Plays whose authors or subject matter come from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, BC, have also been aired on Co-Op Radio, 102.7 FM. Our next radio project is Mythical Voices for Our Time. For more information, please contact us at 604-708-5448.
• Over 600 actors, performers and directors have worked on our stages.
• Over 100 technicians, stage managers, outreach coordinators and administrators have logged time with us.
• Over 100 writers have had their work produced.
• We have performed at over 50 different venues in the Lower Mainland and beyond.
• Our indoor/outdoor venues generate revenue for important local neighbourhood businesses.
• Theatre In the Raw has been in operation for over 14 years.
"Theatre In the Raw's timing couldn't be better...
relevant...got people thinking..."
—The Globe and Mail
>>> Some of Our Past Production Photos
"The talented cast… deserve a standing ovation for… their roles…"
—Karen Kinna, The Langley Times
"Performances so genuine that there is a real sense of sadness
mixed with the laughs." —The Vancouver Sun
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