ETHEL
Written & performed by Madeleine Hall
Directed by Mitchel Rose
Assistant Director: Maryse Fernandes
Dramaturgy by Emily Pearlman
Sound design and composition by Julien Dussault
Premiered: 2017 Ottawa Fringe
Played: 2018 Kingston Storefront Fringe
Played: 2021 undercurrents Festival
a solo study in human connection;
a unique blend of storytelling and movement;
a tribute to our startling impermanence.
The creation and ongoing development of this project has been made possible by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Ottawa.
"An incredible storyteller...From beginning to end, this show was spectacular." Apartment 613
"Hall, who has an eye and ear for the telling detail...and possesses a lovely sense of movement, creates a full, compelling portrait of the ever-practical Ethel. In doing so, she shows us the ordinariness and enormity of death amid the ordinariness and enormity of life." Artsfile
“Hall’s writing is exquisite, her storytelling flowing effortlessly from moment to moment.” The Fulcrum
"With Hall, every movement and decision is deliberate, creating a polished and effective piece of theatre, and also somehow matching her description of Ethel—a woman who thought that every object has a function, even the pretty objects: 'You see it, you smile.'" Kingston Theatre Alliance
“…this story will pull at your heart strings and leave you with tears in your eyes. Hall’s impressive account of a life winding down envelopes you, and you feel like you are transported to Ethel’s bedside, a fly on the wall as you watch Ethel and Madeleine go about their time together.” Apartment 613
WINNER: Outstanding Production - Ottawa Fringe
WINNER: Outstanding New Work - Ottawa Fringe
WINNER: Pick of the Fringe - Kingston Fringe
WINNER: Best Play - Apartment 613
WINNER: Best New Work - Apartment 613
NOMINEE: Outstanding New Creation - Prix Rideau Awards
Cardinal
Created & performed by Mitchel Rose & Madeleine Hall
Directed by Mitchel Rose
Assistant Director: Maryse Fernandes
Sound design and composition by Julien Dussault
Set design by John Doucet
Artistic Associate: Andy Massingham
Premiered: 2016 Ottawa Fringe
Played: Arts Court Theatre (2018)
Played: 2020 undercurrents Festival
A clown show about Alzheimer's! No, really. Two clowns are in a tug of war over the omnipresent but invisible man. One as Memory, one as Disease, they illustrate the heartbreaking and hilarious realities at play when tug of war turns to capture the flag in a mind unraveling at the hands of a crippling disease.
The ongoing development of this project has been made possible by Ontario Arts Council and the City of Ottawa.
"An early contender for one of the best shows at this year's Fringe." -The Ottawa Citizen
"Cardinal is a powerfully affecting, clown-based journey into Alzheimer’s disease… The show is compassionate, insightful and sometimes very funny as it tries to laugh valiantly at the disease. Most importantly, it’s true. " -The Ottawa Citizen
“…a masterful sample of skilled clown technique that draws in the audience and is a joy to watch.” -Apartment 613
WINNER: Emerging Artist Award - Ottawa Fringe
Cicada
Created by Maryse Fernandes, Madeleine Hall, and Mitchel Rose
Performed by Maryse Fernandes, Madeleine Hall, Mitchel Rose, and Tanasiah Lavallee
Photos by Kamara Morozuk
Premiered: 2019 subDevision Festival
Cicadas stay in stasis underground for years before they emerge into a world they had no part in creating. As their baby bugs lay dormant, unable to affect change, a quartet of busy bugs are working against the clock to fix the messy habitat they created. Tic-tic-tic.
An immersive site-specific performance and video installation where audiences are invited to confront feelings of powerlessness and apathy, feel a renewed sense of agency and hope for the future, suspend fear and doubt in favour of childlike optimism and faith in the natural world.
Maria and the man on the moon
Created and performed by Madeleine Hall and Mitchel Rose
With Kevin Orr
Created: Theatre 4.669 Summer Lab (2018)
Two moon beings have fallen to earth and need help getting back. With gravity not on their side, they employ a chorus of balloons, a discarded bicycle, and a devious overhead projector to aid them on their journey.
A wordless exploration of gravity, companionship, and the liberating terror of weightlessness.
This work was created with support from Ontario Arts Council.
Little life
Created & performed by Madeleine Hall, Mitchel Rose, and Pascal Huot
Directed by Pascal Huot
Premiered: Cucalorus Festival 2017
Early release: October 2017 via Exclaim!
"Little Life is a music video inspired by the early experiments of Norman McLaren in film and animation. Ashes rise from the dead to create an awe-inspiring trance. What is there after nothing? Singing consciousness as the ego dances away. A dance with the end.
"Every rhythmic pulse draws the atoms closer. Particles swirl in sensuous motion. Patterns of static reanimate and fall back into dust. The use of slow motion, variable-speed imaging, and special effects transform dancers into abstract devices. Vitalized by music, they hold on to dear life. They are memories replaying, emotions fighting, your life flashing before your eyes.
"Little Life features the voice, face, song, and direction of Pascal Huot. The music is an original composition by Huot and his songwriting partner, Julien Dussault, recorded and released by Pony Girl in 2015. "Little Life" appears on Pony Girl's album Foreign Life (So Sorry Records)."
Folie
Created & performed by Madeleine Hall & Mitchel Rose
Premiered: Fresh Meat 6
Two Foley artists (or are they?) are scoring their latest piece. Join them as they- tap tap. Wait. Creeeeak. Who- shuffle shuffle SCRANG! You? Drip, drip. Silence. Shhhh. AHH! Hahaha...ha. Cue music!
"Small gestures speak volumes in this delightfully imagined and expertly performed show that relies on the practiced talents of Hall and Rose. The narrative is completely contained within two characters creating a soundscape for a drama that just becomes funnier and funnier." Capital Critics Circle
"Folie is a small window into what goes into creating sound effects as well as being fantastic physical comedy." Apt613
"OH NO!" said the parrot
Written & directed by Mitchel Rose
Performed by Mitchel Rose & Madeleine Hall
Premiered: Fresh Meat 5
"Hello room. Hello air. Hello girl! Oh look a chair! Hello cage. Hello TV. Hello creepy pink Airbnb. Hello laughter. Hello fun. Hello parrot whispering, “RUN!” Knock knock! HAHAha…oh no…”
"The stand-out of the evening...calls to mind the cartoonish antics of Scooby-Doo, the physical high jinks of I Love Lucy and the strange, surreal tension of David Lynch." Capital Critics Circle