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Richmond theatre company puts on a 'Co-vid Cabaret'

One thing’s for sure when an award-winning theatre company hosts an evening of “Co-vid Cabaret,” you’re certain to get the best seat in the house – your house.
cabaret
The cast of Co-vid Cabaret. Photo submitted

One thing’s for sure when an award-winning theatre company hosts an evening of “Co-vid Cabaret,” you’re certain to get the best seat in the house – your house.

As part of the annual BC Culture Days events across the province, Richmond-based Direct Theatre Collective (DTC) is offering the free, livestreamed performance on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.

All you have to do is find the comfiest spot in your own house and log into the rather unique show.

Fresh from winning a Richmond Arts Awards for Artistic Innovation, DTC’s directors Jill Raymond, Isa Sanchez and Jenna Grubaugh were determined to find a way to create and connect with their audience, despite two productions being cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

“We wanted to create an accessible production, where our performers and our audience could feel safe,” said Raymond, adding that the format has “not only allowed for that – it has actually opened the opportunity to have mixed styles and mediums of performance which would not have been possible in a traditional theatre setting.”

They’ve brought together an inclusive multicultural cast with representation from the LGBTQ2+ community.

Co-Vid Cabaret, said DTC, was an opportunity for local artists to “create something new, or bring to light pieces of work which may have otherwise been buried because of the ongoing live performance sanctions.”

“We are very excited about our lineup. People will be surprised by the variety, it’s a true tour-de-force. Expect the unexpected,” added Sanchez.

The performance will feature international artists Peter Abando, Martha Ansfield-Scrase, Matt Barnez, Nita Bowerman, Moy Covalin, Aerhyn Lau, Julia Muncs, Jill Raymond, Kapila Rego, Florence Reiher, Isa Sanchez, Sandy Scofield, Maddison Silva, Georgie Tzortzis Daburas and Ali Watson, alongside the music video premiere of “Wait a Couple Days,” by local band The Argyll Embargo.

Details of how to access the livestream on the BC Culture Days event can be found here