THE TIN DRUM

an original adaptation of the novel by Günter Grass

Adapted by CHRIS HANRATTY AND SHIRA LEUCHTER

Directed by CHRIS HANRATTY

Featuring JESSE AARON DWYRE, GORDON BOLAN, COURTNEY CH'NG LANCASTER, SCOTT CLARKSON, CYRUS LANE, MARGARET EVANS and SHIRA LEUCHTER

Set, Costumes and Props by ANNA TREUSCH

Sound Design by CHRISTOPHER STANTON

Choreography by MONICA DOTTOR

Lighting Design and Production Management by DAVID DEGROW

Stage Management by LAURA COURNOYEA

Marketing and Communications by SUE EDWORTHY 

A boy who refuses to grow.

A voice that can shatter glass.

The sound of the drum like the beating of a moth’s wings.

"It was then that I declared, resolved and determined that I would stop right there, remain as I was - and so I did. I remained the precocious three-year-old, towered over by grown-ups but superior to all grown-ups, who was complete both inside and outside."

Oskar Matzerath decides at the age of three that he doesn't want to be a part of the adult world. As a child he can remain the perfect witness, observing everything but responsible for nothing. From his bed in a mental hospital Oskar recounts the story of his family in wartime Poland. It's a tale full of dark magic and rich imagery with remarkable contemporary resonance. It asks its audience how much responsibility the witness bears, and examines how living in a time of war seeps into every household.

Nobel Prize winning author Günter Grass has given UnSpun Theatre the exclusive Canadian production rights to his novel. This was the first English theatrical adaptation of the work in North America.

5 DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARD NOMINATIONS

Outstanding Performance - Ensemble

Outstanding Direction - Chris Hanratty

Outstanding Costume Design - Anna Treusch

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition - Christopher Stanton

Outstanding Lighting Design - David DeGrow

The Tin Drum was showcased in Montreal at the CINARS Festival as a part of the Harbourfront Centre lead initiative Culture Port.

REVIEWS:

NNNN - Critic's Pick

"Under Hanratty’s direction, the staging is frequently striking, the simplest of means conjuring up powerful images. ...UnSpun’s Tin Drum is full of engaging dramatic moments that complement the original tale’s magic realism." 
  - NOW Magazine

"It’s almost impossible to choose a standout from the cast, which is as much a credit to director Chris Hanratty as it is to them. Rarely have I seen an ensemble this size work so cohesively, particularly across multiple characters." 

  - The Charlebois Post

"It is a brave effort to tame the beast known as The Tin Drum. I think the production is pretty impressive... Dwyre is always compelling. As is the rest of the cast." 

  -Lynn Slotkin

"The narrative is bizarre but nevertheless always remains clear in Hanratty’s crackling production. "

  - The Globe and Mail

The Tin Drum was generously supported by

In 2007 The Tin Drum: Book One was workshopped as a part of Equity Showcase Theatre's Artist Showcase program. That workshop featured James Cade, Scott Clarkson, Sascha Cole, Jody Hewston, Tricia Lahde, Shira Leuchter and Gregory Prest. It was stage managed by Mariana Rosato with sound design by Christopher Stanton, original music by Gregory Prest, lighting design by Chris Humphrey and costumes by Tea Scott.

An additional workshop occurred in 2009 with artists Frank Cox-O'Connell, Gordon Bolan, Scott Clarkson, Sascha Cole,  Margaret Evans, Lwam Ghebrehariat, Shira Leuchter and Christopher Stanton.