Through the Eyes :: Nightswimming Theatre

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Through the Eyes

Richard McMillan in Factory Theatre’s 2003 production.
Photo by Brian Quirt.

Quotes

“As befits its baroque subject, Druick’s script is vivid and delicate, a sensitive and sensuous piece of writing alive with colour and texture, its images polished like marble until they gleam. NNNN.”
– Now Magazine

“Just watch and be dazzled.”
– Toronto Star

“… brilliant… riveting.”
– Edmonton Journal

“Seeing is believing.”
– Eye Magazine

“Richard McMillan’s performance… is one of those special marvels that exist only in the live theatre.”
– Vue Magazine

THROUGH THE EYES
by Don Druick

This award-winning production starred Richard McMillan as an unnamed courtier in the palace of King Louis XIV of France, desperately trying to stay alive as he escorts the Italian sculptor Bernini through the passions and perils of the Sun King’s court. Through the Eyes tells the story of Gianlorenzo Bernini’s visit to France in 1665. The story is told by a courtier assigned to serve as Bernini’s translator while the great artist sculpts a portrait of Louis. In a world where a casual glance or a careless remark can lead to death, the courtier steers Bernini through a maze of political intrigues and consoles him through his many disputes with the impetuous and wilful King.

With the actor playing a dozen roles and single-handedly taking us back to baroque Paris, Through the Eyes is a play about seeing: about how a great artist offers a new way of looking at the world, and about how when we tell a story, we see new details and come to new conclusions about the story and our place within it.

After developing and premiering this gorgeous solo play in 1995, Nightswimming was thrilled that Factory Theatre produced it in 2003, prior to touring to the Magnetic North Theatre Festival and the Thousand Islands Playhouse in 2004.

Published by DC Books, Montreal in 2005.

Through the Eyes was also nominated for a 2005 Governor General’s Literary Award.

Production History

Factory Theatre, Toronto
January 16 to February 9, 2003
May 6 to June 6, 2004

Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Edmonton
June 16 to 19, 2004

Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque
June 24 to July 25, 2004

Directed by Brian Quirt
Featuring Richard McMillan
Design by Carolyn M. Smith and Paul Mathiesen
Assistant Director: Rebecca Picherack
Stage Manager: Kathryn Westoll
Associate Lighting Designer/Technical Director: Sarah-Jane Patterson

Awards – 2003
Richard McMillan, Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance; Brian Quirt, Dora nomination for Outstanding Direction; Paul Mathiesen, Dora nomination for Outstanding Lighting Design.

Premiered by Nightswimming at the Theatre Centre
October 12 to 29, 1995

Directed by Brian Quirt
Featuring Julian Richings
Design by Dany Lyne and Bonnie Beecher

Produced and Stage Managed by Naomi Campbell

Awards – 1995
Dany Lyne and Bonnie Beecher received Dora Award nominations for their superb work on this production.