Persephone Bound:
A Greek myth reimagined

Circus, theatre, and music tell the story of a young woman’s fight for justice

From November 15 to 24, 2019 at the D.B. Clarke Theatre, two award-winning companies, Imago Theatre and Geordie Theatre, are collaborating for the first time to present Persephone Bound, a production in association with The Screaming Goats Collective. Persephone Bound is a contemporary adaptation of the Greek myth of Persephone that tells the story of a young woman’s courage in breaking the silence around her experience of surviving sexual assault. The play uses stunning poetry, percussion, and aerial circus work to explore the need for education around consent.

I am determined to be seen.

    Persephone

“The story of Persephone Bound is personal. When it is performed, we know that one in four women in the audience are survivors themselves. These people are our friends, our sisters, and our classmates. Our goal is to give a voice to all these survivors and to begin a dialogue, especially with younger people, about sexual assault.”
– Co-Creator, performer and co-Artistic Director of The Screaming Goats Collective, Léda Davies

“The urgency supporting the heart of Persephone Bound is driven by the need to give agency, and to reclaim voice and power for young people who have lived through our heroine’s story. We cannot ignore that sexual assault is happening within our young communities; theatre has always been a vessel for important stories to be given light and this journey is a platform for important dialogue to be given space between audiences of all ages.”
– Artistic Director of Geordie Theatre, Mike Payette

“Persephone Bound is a rare find: a visually and aurally stunning piece of theatre that tackles a difficult subject with great sensitivity.”
– Director and Artistic Director of Imago Theatre, Micheline Chevrier

Persephone Bound follows a young woman’s journey through three vivid realms:

The Underworld
A college party that holds the painful memory of her experience of sexual assault.

The Court
A bureaucratic hell-sphere where she pursues her fight for justice.

The River (Styx)
A liminal internal space where she grapples with grief, the ambiguity of memory, and the trauma of an event that has left an indelible mark on her life.

‘Persephone Bound is a rare find: a visually and aurally stunning piece of theatre that tackles a difficult subject with great sensitivity.’

The play features an award-winning Canadian team including the cast – Léda Davies (Co-Creator, as Persephone), Jed Tomlinson (Co-Creator, as Judge Justice) and Eric Nyland (as Hades) and the creative team – Micheline Chevrier (Director), Diana Uribe (Set and Costume Designer), Martin Sirois (Lighting Designer), Lucie Vigneault (Movement Director), Elaine Normandeau (Stage Manager), Katey Wattam (Assistant Director) and Danna-Rae Evasiuk (Assistant Stage Manager).»

Imago Theatre, Geordie Theatre and The Screaming Goats Collective are bringing their respective mandates to centre feminist stories, bring engaging and thought-provoking theatre to young audiences, and expand form through interdisciplinary practice to the telling of Persephone Bound. The play explores urgent topics like the failure of the legal system to bring justice to survivors of sexual assault; gender and power; and the insidiousness of rape culture on university campuses and throughout our society as a whole. Through this unique interdisciplinary and imaginative retelling of a classic myth, these three companies are collaborating to bring enchantment, empowerment, and impactful exchange to Montreal audiences.

Public performances

November 15 to November 24, 2019
ASL – interpreted performance (in partnership with Seeing Voice Montreal): November 23 at 4 pm.

D.B Clarke Theatre – Pavillion Henry F. Hall Building
1455 de Maisonneuve W, Montreal.

Tickets (taxes included): $24.14 regular; $20.70 senior and artist; $18.00 student; $17.25 teen; $16.10 child
Age recommendation: 13+
Box office and information: 514 845-9810 or geordietheatre.ca

Imago Theatre offers a Pay-What-You-Decide initiative to increase access to theatre for all. Pay-What-You-Decide tickets for Persephone Bound will only be available 15 minutes before the show. Read more about Pay-What-You-Decide at imagotheatre.ca

About Geordie Theatre

Geordie Theatre entertains, provokes thought, fires up the imagination, and challenges our audiences of all ages with the unique power of professional live theatre.
For more information visit geordietheatre.ca

About Imago Theatre

Imago Theatre is a catalyst for conversation, an advocate for equal representation, and a hub for stories about unstoppable women. 
For more information visit imagotheatre.ca

About Screaming Goats Collective

The Screaming Goats Collective, led by Artistic Directors Léda Davies and Jed Tomlinson, is dedicated to strengthening the creative community in Montreal through workshops and new works.
For more information, visit their Facebook page.