Vancouver-Based, Award-Winning Playwright Addresses City’s Housing Crisis in New Play

Vancouver-Based, Award-Winning Playwright Addresses City’s Housing Crisis in New Play 

House and Home

Written by Jenn Griffin and Directed by Donna Spencer 

(A Firehall Arts Centre Production)

The Firehall Arts Centre is pleased to produce and present the world premiere of House and Home from Saturday, January 11 to Saturday, January 25, 2020.

An Arts Club Silver Anniversary Commission penned by award-winning playwright Jenn Griffin, House and Home is a biting, comedic take on Vancouver’s current real estate crisis where property values are high, rental vacancy rates are low, and owning your own home is unaffordable for the average home buyer.

Hilary, a waitress/poet turned social worker and Henry, a Butoh dancer turned lawyer, didn’t know how lucky they were when they managed to escape bad roommates and buy a house before the real estate market skyrocketed. Finding themselves house rich and cash poor, they abandon their values and plunge into the world of short-term rentals. How far can they go to keep their house?

Directed by Firehall Arts Centre’s Artistic Producer, Donna Spencer, House and Home looks at the emotional and challenging struggles of living in a city ranked as the second most unaffordable market in the world, and the problems faced by many when trying to find a “home”. House and Home features performances from Jillian Fargey, Andrew Wheeler, Sam Bob, Sebastien Archibald, Kim Ho, and Darian Roussy.

January 11-25, 2020 | Firehall Arts Centre| 280 E. Cordova

Opening Night:  January 15, 7:30pm

Previews:  January 11, 8pm | January 12, 3pm | January 14, 7:30pm | January 15, 1pm

Performance Times:  Tues-Thurs, 7:30pm | Fri & Sat, 8pm | Sat, 3pm | Sun, 3pm | Wed, 1pm PWYC

Tickets:  From $20 at firehallartscentre.ca | 604.689.0926

Post Show Talkback:  January 16 & 23

“So many people are struggling to find a home in this beautiful city that they can actually afford,” says Spencer. “And with everyone aware of this, surely there is a resolution to be found. Jenn’s play takes on the subject of housing and affordability in a whole-hearted and very meaningful manner. The play is full of humour, compassion and an understanding of what it means to have your life totally controlled by mortgages, rent payments, and the competitive nature of the real estate market. We have a great cast and creative team for the production and I can’t wait to share this work with our audiences.”

Credits for House and Home

Playwright:  Jenn Griffin

Director:  Donna Spencer

Assistant Director:  Andrew Wheeler

Cast:  Jillian Fargey, Andrew Wheeler, Sam Bob, Sebastien Archibald, Kim Ho, and Darian Roussy

Stage Manager:  Jillian Perry

Set Design:  Brian Ball

Costume Design:  Jessica Oostergo

Video Design:  Cande Andrade

Lighting Design:  Jonathan Kim

Sound Design:  Sara Vickruck

For more information on the Firehall Arts Centre, please visit the following platforms:

Website: www.firehallartscentre.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/firehallartscentre

Twitter: www.twitter.com/FirehallArtsCte

Instagram: www.instagram.com/firehallartscentre

About the Firehall Arts Centre:

Celebrating its 37th season, the Firehall Arts Centre continues to open doors through the arts in celebration of the Canadian experience. Located in a heritage fire station that was built in 1906, the Firehall Arts Centre is one of the most unique cultural institutions in Vancouver, hosting over two hundred performances each year and bringing diverse audiences together to enjoy, discuss, question, and explore artistic works that reflect the society and world in which we live. With Artistic Producer Donna Spencer at the helm, the Firehall Arts Centre produces and presents theatre that is innovative, eclectic and at times politically-charged, as well as exquisite, cutting-edge dance performances and interdisciplinary works that challenge assumptions. The venue also acts as a host to visual arts exhibitions and performances from other performing arts organizations, supporting local and national artists. The Firehall Arts Centre is proud to support emerging artists and companies, and strives to program work that is inclusive, culturally rich, and reflective of the many voices and perspectives in Canada. www.firehallartscentre.ca

Media release and image provided by Teresa Trovato, Teresa Trovato PR.

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