Catalyst Theatre –creators of Vigilante—returns to the Spriet Stage with new musical based on the stories of real-life female secret agents.

Book, Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Christenson

On the Spriet Stage
January 16 to February 3, 2024

Opening January 19, 2024

Season Sponsor: BMO
Title Sponsor: Women for Women (W4W)

The Invisible was developed with support from the National Arts Centre's
National Creation Fund, Vertigo Theatre, and Keyano Theatre
 

January 9, 2024 – London ON – This month, the Grand Theatre invites audiences on a daring mission: to indulge in the newest musical creation from Catalyst Theatre: The Invisible – Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare.  From the team behind the smash-hit, Vigilante, The Invisible unleashes the untold stories of World War 2’s leading ladies, through genre-busting music, alluring choreography, and theatrical spectacle. Playing on the Spriet Stage from January 16^th through February 3^rd, this celebrated Canadian musical welcomes London audiences into the worlds of fearless, real-life female agents, who sacrificed it all for the fate of the nation.

“Mystery, drama, friendship, passion… secrets. These elements form the backbone of The Invisible,” remarks Grand Theatre Artistic Director, Rachel Peake. “The brilliant way Jonathan Christenson, and the team at Catalyst Theatre, weave stories for the stage, will travel audiences back in time to witness World War 2 from a uniquely female perspective. A story like this one, told through thrilling original music, bold choreography, and theatrical spectacle, connects the super-heroic—almost graphic-novelesque—way that we tend to understand this war, with the unique experiences of those who secretly contributed to its outcome.”

The Invisible follows the stories of seven exceptional female SOEs (Special Operative Executives), who after months of training and successful assignments, are dropped into their most dangerous mission to date. Risking their lives for the fate of the nation, The Invisible embark on perilous missions of sabotage, propaganda, and espionage — helping to bring down the greatest threat of their time, only to go completely unseen.

“The SOE was a covert organization, and even the British parliament was unaware of its existence,” explains Director, Writer and Composer Jonathan Christenson. “It was informally referred to as the “Department of Ungentlemanly Warfare” - in part, because its tactics fell outside the ‘rules’ of conventional warfare. The name takes on an unintentional additional meaning given that the female agents who were recruited by the SOE were the only women who were permitted by the Allies to play a combat role during World War Two.” 

This genre-busting mash-up of historical research, film-noir, graphic novels, and musical theatre was penned and composed by Jonathan Christenson, also the writer, composer, and director behind the smash-hit Vigilante, which played the Grand’s Spriet Stage during the 2018/19 season, as well as a sold-out run in 2017. Having sold over 17,000 seats, it remains one of the most beloved productions in Grand Theatre history. In addition to Christenson, The Invisible boasts the talents of a creative team that includes Bretta Gerecke (Set, Costume, Lighting, and Projection Design), Matthew Skopyk (Music Producer, Sound Designer, Additional Music), Laura Krewski (Original Choreography), Courtney Arsenault (Choreography), and Ruth Alexander (Music Director, Vocals).

The all-female ensemble of agents includes London-born Kaylee Harwood, who was previously seen at the Grand Theatre in Controlled Damage (2022), and Tahirih Vejdani who mesmerized as a member of the company of Grand Ghosts (2022). Making their Grand Theatre debuts are: Amanda Trapp, Kristi Hansen, Melissa MacPherson, Sarah Nairne, and Justine Westby.

The Invisible is the winner of 3 Betty Mitchell Awards, including Outstanding New Play (Jonathan Christenson), Outstanding Costume Design (Bretta Gerecke), and Outstanding Lighting Design (Bretta Gerecke). The production first played at Keyano Theatre (Fort McMurray, AB), and its premiere run was held at Vertigo Theatre (Calgary, AB) in the spring of 2019. In February 2020, the production had a three-week run at the Maclab Theatre in Edmonton, AB. In 2022, the show toured to Vancouver where it played at The York Theatre, presented by The Cultch.

The Invisible – Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare plays on the Grand Theatre Spriet Stage from January 16^th through February 3^rd, 2024. Single tickets range from $23 - $93 (subject to availability) and are available at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. An Open Captioned performance will be presented on Saturday, January 27th at 2:00 p.m. Additionally, up to 150 patrons may accept the mission of seeing The Invisible – at whatever price they are comfortable paying – via the Canada Life Pay-What-You-Can performance on Sunday, January 21 at 2:00 p.m.

The Grand Theatre gratefully and joyfully acknowledges Season Sponsor, BMO and The Invisible- Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Title Sponsor, Women for Women (W4W).

To learn more about The Invisible, please visit: grandtheatre.com/event/the-invisible. Additional facts, photos, and updates can also be found by following @thegrandlondon and #GrandInvisible on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

The Grand Theatre wishes to acknowledge and honour the original stewards of the land on which our Theatre stands. Gratitude and recognition are extended to the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapewak peoples for preserving this land where we gather and create art.
 

About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud.

In the heart of downtown London, Ontario lies one of Canada’s oldest regional theatres and a leading cultural hub of today: the Grand Theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Rachel Peake, and Executive Director Evan Klassen, the Grand proudly presents diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe – and around the corner – on its two stages. The not-for-profit theatre is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through its COMPASS New Play Development program. Further, the Grand Theatre is an ardent supporter of educational programming, as demonstrated through initiatives like the High School Project and Subsidized Student Matinees. For more information, visit: grandtheatre.com.

Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

For more information please contact:
Lia Karidas, Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy
lkaridas [at] grandtheatre.com (lkaridas[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)
519-672-9030 ext. 280

MEDIA CALL

When:  Tuesday, January 16 at 1:00 p.m. (Cameras, please arrive at 12:30 p.m. to set up)
Where:  Spriet Stage, Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond Street, London, Ontario
What:  The Invisible photo, video, and interview opportunities for media

CATALYST THEATRE’S THE INVISIBLE - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Written, Composed, and Directed by Jonathan Christenson

CAST

Kristi Hansen* as Dorothy Ward/Ensemble
Kaylee Harwood* as Jacqueline Kovacs/Ensemble
Melissa MacPherson* as Evelyn Ash/Ensemble
Sarah Nairne* as Madeline Barré/ Ensemble
Amanda Trapp* as Betty Anderson/ Ensemble
Justine Westby* as Szarlotta Jazinski/ Ensemble
Tahirih Vejdani* as Anna Sidiqui/ Ensemble
 

CREATIVE TEAM

Bretta Gerecke – Set, Lighting, Costume & Projection Design
Laura Krewski* – Original Choreography
Courtney Arsenault* – Choreography
Matthew Skopyk** – Sound Design, Additional Production, Music Production and Programming
Ruth Alexander – Music Director (Vocals)
Sarah Garton Stanley – Dramaturge
 

PRODUCTION TEAM

Lee O’Reilly – Production Manager
Brian Scott* - Stage Manager
Frances Bundy* – Assistant Stage Manager
Michael Caron – Front of House Audio Mixer
Frank Donato – Associate Projection Designer
Jeff Pybus – Assistant Lighting Designer
Rae McCallum – Associate Production Manager
Lauren Rebelo – Associate Production Manager
Jessica Glover – Associate Producer
Tracey Carroll – Producer

Produced by Tracey Carroll

*Appears with permission Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
**Represented by the Associated Designers of Canada, IATSE Local ADC659