North American Premiere Of Chariots Of Fire Opens At Grand On Friday

The Grand Theatre is proud to be hosting the North American Premiere of the stage adaptation of Chariots of Fire starting this Friday. In Grand style, the Spriet Stage has magically been transfigured into a racing venue, with a track that actually curls through the middle of the audience. Two rows of seats were removed to accomplish the metamorphosis, and the result is something befitting a North American premiere, and essential to telling a heroic tale set to the backdrop of the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. It will offer London theatre goers a never experienced before stage experience.

Based on a true story, it is a heroic tale of of two British runners who qualify to compete in the 100 metre race in Paris – the “Flying Scotsman” Eric Lidell, who runs for the glory of God; and the son of a Lithuanian-Jew, Englishman Harold Abrahams, the Cambridge student who overcomes anti-semitism from the staff.

The show’s Director Dennis Garnhum first saw the the 2012 stage adaptation of the Academy Award winning film in London, England’s West End, where it was  staged in a contemporary way with actors running past the audience, and has been trying to secure the rights to bring it to North America ever since.

The Grand Theatre is the first place it will be produced outside of England. A tremendous accomplishment for the local cultural hub.

“It’s something I’ve never experienced before,” said Garnhum, who is also the Grand Theatre’s Artistic Director. “It’s just so uplifting from the moment it begins, telling stories of Olympic dreams.”

It’s also a tremendous undertaking, with the large set, and the six rehearsal spaces needed for the 24 actors.

Liddell is played by Wade Bogert-O’Brien, and Abrahams by Harry Judge, both making their Grand Theatre debuts.

Judge taught and directed at University of Alberta, BFA in acting, and has appeared on television shows like Star Trek: Discovery, Murdoch Mysteries, Saving Hope, Lost Girl, Flint, Reign, and Suits.

Bogert-O’Brien’s theatre credits include King Charles III, The Divine, Pygmalion, The Sea, and the Doctor’s Dilemma, and his TV and film credits include Reign, and Frontier.

Five of the 24 actors are from the Grand Theatre High School Project – the only project of it’s kind in North America: Ben Cookson, Ellen Denny, David Michael Moote, Anwyn Musico, and Connor Overton.

The production will of course feature the original film’s iconic music by Vangelis, as well as new pieces by Canadian composer Dave Pierce. Pierce received an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction for his work as the music director for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He is also the arranger for superstars like Michael Bublé, Sarah McLachlan and Nelly Furtado.

The immersive stage with the running track was designed by Bretta Gerecke, who has designed for Cirque du Soleil, and is the resident designer at Catalyst Theatre. It not only accomplishes both an intimate and large-scale production, but exponentially magnifies scenes like the folkloric Trinity Great Court run. Where Abrahams runs around the court – and through the middle of the Grand Theatre – and becomes the first to ever complete the impossible task of doing it in the time it takes for the clock to strike 12!

The completely unique experience will thrill London theatre goers, as they watch the two heroes on their drastically different but divergent paths to the Olympic Games.

“What excites me most is how Michael Bartlett has taken the physical energy of the story – in particular, the running races – and found theatrical ways of making them come to life,” said Garnhum.

Chariots of Fire makes it’s big North American stage debut at the Grand Theatre on Friday night. The production runs through until May 5th. Tickets are available at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone, or at the box office.

Don’t miss it.