Pi marked its 20th anniversary of Blasted‘s first production by bringing Kane’s seminal play to life in Vancouver. I was very pleased to be able to direct the second professional English language production seen in Canada. Twenty years after it first hit the London stage with incendiary force, Blasted now seems more at home in the present than it ever has in the past. Scenes that were thought of as exaggerated to the point of absurdity have taken on an uncomfortable familiarity in the face of contemporary events. Blasted forges a potent theatrical vision of destruction, collapse, and ultimately, redemption and love.
Photography by Tim Matheson
Critical Response
For its 30th anniversary, Pi Theatre has masterfully resurrected a contemporary classic. Blasted, by English playwright Sarah Kane, is the kind of play that forces all the air out of your body and then screams at you to breathe. On the whole, though technically breathtaking … much of the impact comes from the raw performances — from Kopsa’s animal ruthlessness and Clarke’s blend of ethereal and earthiness. Raresh Dimofte, with his massive, intimidating frame and baby face that shows all the levels of his character’s tormented and monstrous existence, is astonishing as the nameless soldier. (One of the Vancouver Sun’s “Best of the Year”)
Erica Thorkelson, Vancouver Sun
Wolfe’s production is terrific. Drew Facey’s set explodes with detailed realism, Jeff Harrison’s lighting paints the stage with just the right shades of darkness, and Remy Siu’s sound design is spooky, intense and surreal.
Jerry Wasserman, Vancouver Plays
The staging and the effects are terrific. The performances are chillingly, frighteningly real. It is a bleak, bleak vision of the present. It’s Beckett + Pinter + Tarantino and it’s not for every eye or ear. (One of the Courier’s “Best of the Year”)
The physical stagecraft in Wolfe’s production is masterful.
Creative and Production Team
Director: Richard Wolfe
Assistant Director: Linda Pitt
Featuring: Cherise Clarke, Raresh DiMofte and Michael Kopsa
Sound and Projection Design: Remy Siu
Costume Design: Carmen Alatorre
Set Design: Drew Facey
Graphic Design: Kristen Johnston
Photography: Tim Matheson
Stage Manager: Jethelo E. Cabilete
Assistant Stage Manager: Chantele Fry
Production Manager: Jayson Mclean
General Manager: Shayna Goldberg
Blasted ran at Performance Works, Vancouver, from April 10 – 25, 2015
Richard Wolfe, Outstanding Direction
Drew Facey, Outstanding Set Design; Jeff Harrison, Outstanding Lighting Design