Artistic Fraud to tour Colony of Unrequited Dreams in N.S., Ontario

The St. John's-based theatre company Artistic Fraud of Newfoundlandwill take its adaptation of Wayne Johnston's best-selling novel The Colony of Unrequited Dreams on a national tour next year, and has revealed plansfortwo new shows.

"The team at Artistic Fraud has always strived to change the landscape of theatre in this province and beyond by seeking out ourtrulygreat stories and re-telling them in unique and challengingways," artistic directorRobert Chafe said Wednesday.

The Colony of UnrequitedDreams, a retelling of the life of Joseph R.Smallwood,was a sold-out hit at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John'swhen it debuted in 2015.

In 2017, Artistic Fraud will be taking the production to Ottawa, Halifax, and London, Ont.

At a news conference Wednesday at the LSPU Hall, Artistic Fraudalso announced plans for twonew, original productions:Annabel and Between Breaths.

Between Breaths, based on the life and work of late whale researcherJon Lien, will debut in August in St. John's, with performances set for such communities as Cape St. Mary's, Eastport, Clarenville, Cow Head, Bonavista and Gander.

Chafe wrote the production, which company cofounderJillianKeileyisdirecting. Folk trio The Once will compose the score for this production.

"We're so proud of this piece and incredibly grateful to the Lien family for their generosity, encouragement, and trust," said Chafe.

Annabelwill be the company's firstfully sung stagemusical.Based on the novel by Kathleen Winter, Annabel tells the story of an intersexchild born in 1968 in the fictitious communityof CroydonHarbour in Labrador.

Chafe is adapting the novel,and Keiley willdirect. The production is set to debut in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019.Chafe calls the piece "unique and timely."

For more information on both productions and schedules, visit the ArtisticFraud website.