Pictured above: Neena Jayarajan

METAMORPHOSES 2023


We're in the midst of organizing an Ontario tour

of Meta 2023 with a short run in Toronto.

More details on this to come in 2024!


PRAISE FOR METAMORPHOSES 2023


“… an IDEAL PAIRING of subject matter and performance troupe… Theatre Smith-Gilmour’s show sheds light on the nature of existence even as it stuns us visually and emotionally.”

—Stage Door


"SPLENDID PERFORMANCES...A fascinating examination of personhood and the various stages of uncertainty there within. Worth the trip to Crow’s."

—Intermission Magazine

 

"A TERRIFIC SHOW...Theatre Smith-Gilmour has been perfecting their considerable craft for decades and this show is like a gift to behold."

—The Slotkin Letter

 

"ENDEARING... they embody vivid characters and ignite our imaginations to expand their world."

—Istvan Dugalin

 

"ENCHANTING STORYTELLING...Michele Smith’s carefully nuanced direction imaginatively weaves the series of vignettes into a tapestry of passionately visceral choreographed movement."

—Our Theatre Voice

 

"VERY CLEVER...A highly accomplished, high energy and thought provoking show that’s really unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Highly recommended."

—Opera Ramblings

 

"FABULOUSLY ECLECTIC...Metamorphoses 2023 is the best kind of magic, leaving you sometimes wondering what’s coming next, wondering how they did what they did. I was quiet at the end, struck with wonderment. It’s a beautiful series of portrayals, stretching each performer and the viewer’s imagination to the limit"

—Barcza Blog


MARVELOUS, BEAUTIFUL, RAW… an unforgettably magical journey.

—A View from the Box


"POWERFUL...Theatre Smith-Gilmour’s long-established physical language, rooted in mime and clown, is given fresh life with the addition of Bharatanatyam, a form of Indian classical dance."

—The Globe and Mail


Dean Gilmour as Tiresias


“Many of Ovid’s stories, that we have picked, paint the landscape of a cruel world that could very well be our world today: a world of man’s entitlement and woman’s rage. In Ovid the victims of rape ask the Gods, “Change me! Make me a man! Let me never be vulnerable again.” And it happens.
I love his philosophy of life as a long wave of transformations, no death, no birth, no beginning and no end, but an endless possibility to transform, to flee, to never be pinned down to one identity. It’s about resilience and survival.” 
-Michele Smith-Gilmour, Director

About the Show

Inspired by the 8 AD epic poem by Ovid, Metamorphoses, Theatre Smith-Gilmour have created a bold
and contemporary adaptation, taking inspiration from post mime that incorporates spoken words. At the
centre of their adaptation, is a dialogue between European Mime and Bharatanatyam Dance Style (which
uses codified South Asian Mime).

About the Cast

The work is brought to life through the talents of several exceptional stage performers: 
Rob Feetham, a Dora Mavor Moore award winning (Italian Mime Suicide) performer, writer, comedian and podcaster. He is one half of the comedy duo, Tasty Sandwich, the creators of such gems as Rob and Edwin Go To Space, Go To The Bottom Of The Sea, Go Through Time, Rox Showe and Backyard Friendship Fun-Time Thing. He is co-host and co-creator of The R.I.P. Podcast; a horror comedy podcast. Rob has been performing and touring with Corpus Dance Projects since 2013 (Les Moutons). He has now toured with the company to 16 countries and counting. Other Selected Credits: Tale of a Town (Fixt Point), Voix de Ville Extravagonzo (Niagra Arts Centre, Suitcase In Point), Italian Mime Suicide (Bad New Days), Metamorphoses (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), Project: Portal Paradox (The R.I.P. Podcast), Journey to the Centre of the Earth (Studio Accelerando).
Neena Jayarjan, is an independent dance theatre artist with extensive experience in Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance techniques. Her primary training was under the tutelage of Dr. Menaka Thakkar, and Sujatha Mohapatra. She served as the Assistant Artistic Director of Menaka Thakkar Dance Company for 7 years, as well as assistant teacher at nrtyakala for 20 years. She currently is an Associate Artist at Nova Dance involved in both creative and organizational roles. Neena completed her MA in Dance from York University and was a 2016 recipient of the Chalmers Arts Fellowship Grant. She made her theatrical debut in Theatre Smith’s Gilmour's Metamorphoses. Neena sits on the board of CADA west and The Dance Current Magazine and is currently on her own choreographic journey of exploration using her classical roots to fuel a contemporary outlook. 
Sukruti Tirupattur, Sukruti is originally a Bharatanatyam dancer from Bengaluru, India and came to Toronto in 2019. She has worked with Arangham Dance Theater, Chennai, and has engaged with Jamii Esplanade as a performer. She works with Nova Dance as an Associate Artist and company dancer and is in the core cast of Nova Bhattacharya’s Svāhā!. As an independent dance artist and collaborator, Sukruti has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has represented India as a cultural diplomat to Malawi with Vyuti Dance Company, Bengaluru. Sukruti is a Bharatanatyam instructor at Citadel+Compagnie, is a certified
Yoga instructor and holds a Master’s degree in History.
Daniel Richard Henkel is a TMU (formerly Ryerson) theatre acting alumni. After graduating he joined the Ale House Theatre Company and went to put on MacBeth, Merchant of Venice, and Twelfth Night. After his time with Ale House he directed and acted in an original ensemble clown piece, Adventure Time!, and performed it at the Toronto Festival of Clown. He also returned to TMU to assist in directing the Clown shows from 2016-2020. Currently he has focused his career on film and television having recently played in; Cabinet of Curiosities (Netflix), Frankie Drake (CBC), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), The Boys (Amazon Prime), and Christmas Plus One (Reel One Entertainment). As well as a few short films, and voice acting for video games, yet to be released. He has spent his time between projects honing his props and costume building skills.

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The participation of Michele Smith, Dean Gilmour, Andrew Dollar and Daniel Richard Henkel are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.
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