Opening on October 30, the Apollinaire Theatre Company will present Anthony Neilson’s The Wonderful World of Dissocia at the Chelsea Theatre Works building located at 189 Winnisimmet Street. Originally premiering at the 2004 Edinburgh International Festival, this production has earned widespread critical praise for its unique combination of song, surrealism, suspense and comedy. The story follows Lisa Jones, a young woman searching to recover a lost hour that has disrupted her life, leading her into Dissocia—a fantastical realm brimming with both wonder and peril. According to Variety magazine, the play is “a tremendously brave piece of stagecraft that carries both insight and heart.” “It’s a really interesting and very innovative play,” noted Director and Apollinaire co-founder Danielle Fauteux Jacques. “It’s an exciting script and we really wanted to perform it. It’s very different than things that audiences may have seen in the past. It’s the best of different worlds in that it’s really fun and also very compelling.”
The production brings together eight performers, with four making their Apollinaire debuts and four returning from previous company productions. Philana Mia, taking on the lead role of Lisa Jones, marks her first appearance with Apollinaire, though she has performed with Company One, the Longwood Players and the Hovey Players. Joining her as newcomers to the company are John Greiner-Ferris, an actor with 12 years of experience in and around Boston, along with Andrew Oberstein and Jeremy Benson. Returning cast members Mark Vashro, Line Echeverri, Andres Rey Solorzano and Lorna Nogueira have participated in earlier Apollinaire shows including Dark Play, the Thugs and last summer’s free bilingual theatre series at Admiral’s Hill. Jacques expressed her admiration for the dedication shown by cast and crew in tackling this demanding and imaginative work. “It’s a pretty complex play in terms of the technical elements,” she said. “We’ve been working on it for quite a while – the set and the costumes and the props and the makeup. It’s coming together nicely.”
Recommended for mature audiences, the show continues through November 29. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8:00 pm, with Sunday matinees scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on November 22 and 29. Advance tickets cost $25, with door tickets at $30, and student rush tickets available for $15 one hour prior to performances. Reservations can be made by calling 617 887 2336 or visiting Apollinairetheatre.com. Attendees are welcome to join the cast for a reception in the gallery at Chelsea Theatre Works following performances.
