The University of Winnipeg’s Department of Theatre and Film closes its 2020/21 season with a new work directed by Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Associate Artistic Director Audrey Dwyer. The show runs nightly from March 30 – April 3, 2021.
Blink features Acting IV: Honours students Ayla Hamilton and Jordan Bourquin, bold set design and haunting projections by faculty member Adam Parboosingh, sharp lighting by student Joshua Gehman, and beautiful costume design by student Kate George. All technical work is done by junior and senior UWinnipeg production students.
Blink; a story of love, loss and disconnection
Blink, written by award-winning British playwright Phil Porter, is about love, loss and disconnection.
“Phil Porter has created a play where two misfits defend their mistakes and seek to connect with the world around them,” said Dwyer “They reach out to the audience in order to understand themselves and where things went wrong for them.”
Sophie and Jonah are two young adults who are trying to carve their way through life after dealing with personal loss and grief. Jonah was brought up in a religious commune and so when he gets a mysterious baby monitor in the mail, he is compelled to turn it on and watch. Sophie simply wants to feel seen and enjoys the attention. Eventually he finds out who she is and their relationship blossoms.
At the heart of Blink lies the bittersweet hope of eternal love despite all the things life throws at them. Jonah believes that “Love is whatever you feel it to be,” and Blink reminds us that the eyes are the window to the soul. Seeing isn’t always believing.
Dwyer says that Blink is a play that shouts love.
“We live in a world where connection has always been challenging,” she said. “These young adults show us the lengths that they will take to find closeness, intimacy and a world where they feel accepted.”
“Blink offers spectators a warm-hearted and comforting piece that is a love story at its very core,” said Kelly Ann Speagle, of the Ottawa Citizen
“This comical, sensitively written play satisfies with its clever examination of a pair of sweethearts who love each other better when they’re apart,” said Pete Hempstead, of Theatre Mania
Blink runs Tuesday, March 30 to Saturday, April 3. Tune in to view the live performance at 7:30 pm through a private YouTube channel.
Admission is free but reservations are required. Please visit UWinnipeg’s Department of Theatre and Film website or call the 24-hour Reservation Line at 204.786.9152.
For more information contact Audrey Dwyer, director and faculty member at a.dwyer@uwinnipeg.ca or Melinda Tallin, office manager at m.tallin@uwinnipeg.ca.
About the Department of Theatre
Based in the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film at The University of Winnipeg, the Department of Theatre and Film offers concentrations in Acting, Design, Drama in Education, Filmmaking, Playwriting, and Production/Stage Management. Our classes are small and our approach is practical. Our faculty is comprised of highly respected and award-winning professionals who are experienced teachers and remain active in their disciplines, bringing relevant and up-to-date instruction to our students.
