A Visual Feast! After Mourning - Before Van Gogh at Shadow Theatre
Marc J. Chalifoux Photography I took in the World Premiere of After Mourning - Before Van Gogh by Canadian playwright Mike Czuba this past weekend at Shadow Theatre (presented at the Varscona Theatre). Second only to my love of exploring math and science in plays is the exploration of visual art and artists in plays. With today's modern technology and the ability to include projections, theatres are able to do this in a way that literally immerses the audience in the work of the artist. Indeed the work of Vincent van Gogh is prominent in the play thanks to the wonderful projection design of Matt Schuurman. In Czuba's play we are not focused so much on Van Gogh but rather how his brother's widow, Joanna (played by Lora Brovold and Donna-Leny Hansen) works in her life to establish and preserve his legacy. Remember, Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime. His fame and recognition of his genius only came after his death. After husband Theo also dies, Joanna...