“An important work of Indigenous Art.” - The Globe and Mail

By Tara Beagan
On the Spriet Stage February 4 to February 22
Opening Night: February 7
 

LONDON, ONTARIO, January 31, 2020—Coming to the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage this February is award-winning playwright Tara Beagan’s Honour Beat—an honest and touching story of two sisters who come together by their mother’s side as she faces the end of her life. It is in these moments of togetherness where they confront their relationship with each other and with their mother, and show us that although the impending passing of a loved-one can be a time fraught with complications and sadness, those final days with our loved ones can also be filled with laughter amid the tears. Proud title sponsor for Honour Beat is W4W (Women for Women).

Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum, welcomes the opportunity to present this second production of Honour Beat in London, following its theatrical debut last season in Calgary.  It is a “telling of a universal family story that is also detailed and specific…The final days of our parents’ lives are always loaded with complicated emotions and feelings.” Garnhum noted what a privilege it is to work with such an incredible piece of storytelling, which “helps remind us of the beautiful power of theatre.”

Directing this stunning production is Valerie Planche, who describes Honour Beat as an exploration of “what it takes for a mom to get her two estranged daughters together to send her on her journey to the ancestors.” She also notes that “love, pain, and humour go hand in hand in many of Tara’s plays and is no less evident in this offering.”

This one-act, 90-minute production culminates with a final scene that will leave audiences breathless with its beauty and inspired by its imagery.

The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges its Season Sponsor - BMO Financial Group.

Open Caption Performance Dates

The Grand Theatre continues its commitment to accessibility initiatives for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing theatre patrons. Open Caption performances for HONOUR BEAT will be held Friday, February 21, at 8:00pm and Saturday, February 22, at 2:00pm. To book tickets, please email boxoffice [at] grandtheatre.com (boxoffice[at]grandtheatre[dot]com).

ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE

The Wednesday Speak Easy
Returning to the Grand this season is the Wednesday Speak Easy series. Following each Wednesday performance on the Spriet and McManus Stages, patrons can extend their theatre experience and get closer to the artists with exclusive talks, casual conversations, and spontaneous happenings in the relaxed atmosphere of the Poster Lounge or the McManus Lounge.

Our Wednesday Speak Easy series will continue for HONOUR BEAT on February 5^th,, 12^th, and 19^th.  

Pre-Show Reaney Talks
Join host James Stewart Reaney at select Wednesday matinees, as he sparks creative conversations about the production. On Wednesday, February 19^th, James welcomes guest speaker Summer Bressette, Cultural Consultant for HONOUR BEAT.

About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations, and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through COMPASS New Play Development program. The Grand supports educational programming with The High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America, and 100 Schools, a community initiative that brings professional theatre to London-area schools at no cost. The Grand’s season runs from September to May.

Tickets are available at grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519.672.8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.

HONOUR BEAT MEDIA CALL

When: Tuesday, February 4, at 1:00pm (cameras, please arrive at 12:45 to set up)
Where: Grand Theatre, Spriet Stage, 471 Richmond Street
What: HONOUR BEAT photo, video, and interview opportunities for media
RSVP: To jmatthews [at] grandtheatre.com (jmatthews[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)

For more information, including guest artists’ bios, please contact:
Jennifer Matthews, Communications Manager, Grand Theatre
jmatthews [at] grandtheatre.com (jmatthews[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)
519.672.9030 ext. 411

HONOUR BEAT

By Tara Beagan
February 4 to February 22

CAST

 
PRODUCTION TEAM

Special thanks to Falen Johnson and Kimberly Colburn for their work on this production.

Original video elements by Andy Moro created for Theatre Calgary’s premiere production in September 2018, directed by Michelle Thrush.

Imagyn and Indica Cardinal appear by permission of the artists. Song used by permission of Pura Fe Crescioni.

Costume elements created for Theatre Calgary’s premiere production provided by Jeff Chief.