For Immediate Release: 10/5/2006 Arts & Entertainment/Theatre: Lyonesse Theatre presents the Vancouver Premiere of Gonzo, a heart-warming story of humour, compassion, and humanity in a Japanese prison camp in Shanghai, 1942–45

| Venue: the Norman Rothstein Theatre | Preview: Oct 31, Opening Night: Nov 1, Runs to:
Nov 12, Curtain: 8 p.m. | Tickets: Evenings $23/$26, Matinees $20/$23, PWYC for Oct. 31 Preview and Nov. 7 |

Please call: JCC Box Office at (604) 257-5111 or Lyonesse Theatre at (778) 230-7671, or book online at
www.bryher.ca. | Media Contact: Karen Green 604.684.8294 karen@rebuscreative.com

Lyonesse Theatre presents the Vancouver premiere of

GONZO
Written by and Directed by Gordon Pascoe
Norman Rothstein Theatre | Nov. 1–12, 2006 (preview October 31)
Featuring Simon Hayama* (Gonzo), Deanna Overland*, Laura Di Cicco*, and Christina Jastrzembska*
with Lauren Lange**, Helen Martin**, and Melanie Walden** and, Hamish Cameron and Troy Young
Camp children: Garnet Barret, Olivia Berger-Hawthorne, Elena Kirby, Astra Lund-Phillips, Riley Sondergaard, Rhiannon Wallace

In an ominous prelude to WWII, Japanese forces swept into China in 1937 and took captive the pampered Europeans who had been living and working in the international city of Shanghai. After Pearl Harbour was bombed, these ex-patriots were rounded up and placed under guard in makeshift prison camps. Families were separated with the women and children assigned to live apart from the men. All would endure many deprivations, including lack of food and access to medical care. Gonzo is a Canadian man’s tribute to one Japanese guard whose compassion and humanity enabled a young boy to survive more than 1,000 days of captivity in one such prison camp. Based on playwright/director Gordon Pascoe’s wartime experience as a child in “Ash Camp” prison camp in Shanghai, China, this play is the inspirational story of a community of women and children who survived “lest we forget” and an overdue thank you to a conscripted school teacher — the Japanese soldier they called “Gonzo” — at first disrespectfully, and later with the greatest fondness.

Gonzo is set amidst troubles of 60 years ago, yet it resonates with meaning in our world’s current atmosphere of war and terror. We see the ability of the women to raise their children in captivity and their capacity to deal with medical emergencies without real medical help. We experience the great joy brought about by receiving a shipment of Red Cross parcels, and the sending and receiving of letters to and from loved ones. And, we are given a glimpse into the importance of wartime Shanghai as a route for Jewish people to escape the Holocaust in Europe.

Director and writer Gordon Pascoe says, “We see in Gonzo that an unheralded soldier can make a difference. He is a reminder that there are good people in this world. Sixty years have gone by and it seems that not much has changed in regards to man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. Decent Canadian men and women are once again being asked to go to far away lands and make a difference to help unfortunate men, women and children, they don’t even know. We can only wish them well and hope that the politicians of so many countries would stop committing the crime of war.”

Cast member Jastrzembska has a special and personal interest in Gonzo. She says, “My father spent five years in Mauthausen. He turned the horrific experience into a lesson of triumph over the worst human feelings and actions. (He learned) lessons of compassion and forgiveness, of the powerful inner strength inherent in all of us (and) of love. Gordon's play touches on these things as well, through the gentleness of Gonzo and the community building of the women in the camp. These are ordinary people forced to live in extraordinary circumstances, who survive with strength and compassion.”

Original music is by composed by Gordon Pascoe and played by the CBC Vancouver Radio Orchestra and conducted by Ken Hsieh, assistant conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as recorded at the CBC’s Vancouver studios in April.
Gonzo was performed by the Nanaimo Theatre Group in June 2005. It was later adapted and shortened to be presented in Qualicum Beach on November 11, 2005, as part of the Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival where it won three festival awards.

“Gonzo took the audience on an emotional roller coaster and offered a nice blend of humour and pathos. A poignant reminder that our lives here are as safe and comfortable as they are because of the sacrifices of others. ” The Harbour City Star, Nanaimo Costumes are designed by Liz Mowbray with assistance from Nicole Gosselin (of Nik-Art Costumes & Designs). Lighting is designed by Michael Stebbings, set design is by Gordon Pascoe, props are by Jill Pascoe and graphic design is by Georgina Duval. Norman Rothstein Theatre | 950 West 41st Ave (at Oak)

Nov. 1–12, 2006 (preview Oct. 31)
Nov. 1–4 and 8–11: 8 P.M.
Matinees Nov. 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, and 12: 2 P.M.

Tickets:
Evenings $23/$26 Matinees $20/$23
PWYC for Oct. 31 preview and Nov. 7
Prices include taxes and NRT Seat Improvement fee. Discounts are available for groups.
Please call: JCC Box Office at (604) 257-5111, or Lyonesse Theatre at 778-230—7671,
or book online at www.bryher.ca.