NIGERIA

Peter has had an experience in Africa -- perhaps magic. Now, he is back. Kris is fairly certain the magic lies in "freemarket" libertarianism business thought, global opportunity and the open ways of Alan Greenspan and his tribe. Joan doubts all of them. Sebastian, Joan’s husband, is mysteriously absent. Kris is looking for Sebastian to wind up the big Deal. Peter is between Africa and Joan and a half-remembered nightmare. Joan wants the hell out. After all, she now has her husband's money, doesn't she?

History of the Work

• Nigeria was presented as a staged reading in Playwrights Theatre Centre's New Play Festival in 2009.
• In February 2010, Nigeria was presented at the GAP New Reading Series in San Francisco as a finalist in their 2010 Play Festival.
• Nigeria is scheduled to be presented as a site specific piece, the "stage" will be a dining room/living room in a house on Commercial Drive in early 2011. The play will debut at The In-The-House Festival.

Martin Gover, Playwright

Martin Gover began by studying law in London England. Luckily, after obtaining his degree, he went on a trip to Greece and forgot to return. Instead he spent the next few years swimming in the Aegean and skiing in the Italian Alps. Fifteen years later, writing on and off, he got serious. In 2008, he had his full length play, Missed Things as a staged reading at the 2008 Vancouver New Play Festival. In 2009, he had One Thing at the Capilano One Act Festival, Insider Trading at the Walking Fish Festival, and Bringing Gifts at The Firehall’s BC Buds Festival.  

Produced by The Nigeria Project.

David Bloom, Director

Playwright, director, actor and fight choreographer David Bloom is co-artistic director (with Linda Quibell) of Felix Culpa for whom he directed Judith, The Monument, and the North American premiere of Howard Barker’s Und.  Recently, he performed in Tanya Marquardt’s Transmission for Chrysalis/Proximity Arts, co-created and performed in News of the World for Felix Culpa, directed This Mortal Flesh for MachineFair and co-directed Palace of the End for Touchstone Theatre, Felix Culpa and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. Television appearances include Da Vinci’s Inquest, Cold Squad, Psyche, Stargate SG-1 and the X-files. David Bloom is a graduate of Studio 58 and is currently on the faculty.

Cast

Quelemia Sparrow, Kris

Since graduating from Studio 58's acting program  Quelemia has worked extensively in TV, film as well as theatre. She is the recipient of a Leo Award for Best Guest Appearance in a TV series for Da Vinci's Inquest. Quelemia is drawn to the rich art of storytelling in many different forms, which led her to the world of writing. She is also a graduate of the Film Arts Program at Langara College in the writing stream. Since graduating that program she has written several short films, a play and her one-woman-show. Oh, she also teaches Yoga.            

Jody-Kay Marklew, Joan

Even though Jody-Kay has been taking some time off to play her most important role as mamma to her precious girl, Jade - she felt  she couldn't miss working with this great artistic team and will appear on stage for this production.  Over the last ten years, her theatre credits include the role of Catherine in Proof with Sunshine Theatre and numerous other productions with Western Canada Theatre.  In Vancouver, she has worked with Rumble Theatre, The Arts Club, The Belfry Theatre, Green Thumb Theatre, Carousel Theatre, and The Vancouver Playhouse. She has appeared in several locally shot television shows and the film Zero Sum.  Jody-Kay is  a graduate of Studio 58.

Josh Drebit, Peter

Josh is Co-artistic Director of Main Street Theatre where he recently appeared in critically acclaimed productions of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo. Other favourite productions include Alex Ferguson’s play Two for Solo Collective and SuBurbia by Eric Bogosian for the Vancouver Fringe. He has toured extensively with Green Thumb Theatre.