The Shoplifters, a Canadian comedy by Morris Panych, is touring throughout the Lower Mainland this winter.
The play follows Alma (Patti Allan), a career shoplifter who prefers the “five-finger discount” over any senior citizen’s deal. When a grocery store theft with her anxious sidekick (Agnes Tong) goes awry, her elaborate life of petty crime is halted by an overzealous security guard (Raugi Yu) and his affable mentor (Dean Paul Gibson). With sharp-witted comic observations, Panych has expertly drawn a cast of misfit characters that will leave you rooting for all sides to come out on top.
Director and playwright Paynch said, “The Shoplifters is about small people with small lives—people who want something and will do anything to get it. I’m really fascinated with what’s happening in the world right now, with people being left behind, and I wanted to write about that.”
Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran noted, “One of my seminal Arts Club experiences growing up was seeing Morris Panych’s shows. The Shoplifters is a funny and idiosyncratic script, with fantastic characters and rhythm. I am thrilled that Morris and his partner, Ken MacDonald—an incredible designer—are taking the play on tour. They have been hugely important in our company’s history, and I am excited to share this show with a wider audience.”
Panych is a Canadian actor, playwright, and director who has directed over 90 plays and written 30. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he works primarily in Vancouver and Montreal. He received his BFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and went on to study acting in London. His plays have been produced all over the world and translated into a dozen languages. Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards, including many Dora Mavor Moore awards in Toronto and Jessie Richardson Theatre awards in Vancouver for both acting and directing. His plays are mostly of the absurdist style, existentially reflecting on what it is to be alive.
TOUR VENUES & DATES
NORTH VANCOUVER
The BlueShore at CapU
604.990.7810 January 9
WEST VANCOUVER
Kay Meek Arts Centre
604.981.6335 January 10 & 11
NEW WESTMINSTER
Anvil Centre
604.521.5050 January 14
SURREY
Surrey Arts Centre
604.501.5566 January 15–25
COQUITLAM
Evergreen Cultural Centre
604.927.6555 January 28–February 1
MISSION
Clarke Theatre
604.629.8849 February 2
MAPLE RIDGE
The ACT Arts Centre
604.476.2787 February 6 & 7
BURNABY
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
604.205.3000 February 8 & 9
Details at artsclub.com
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