The Trophy Hunt
Using mask, movement, and music, this site-specific Montreal expedition set in the forest of Mont Royal Park kicked off a National Consortium of theatre artists across the country creating a different interpretation of Trina Davies’s new play concerning the perils of trophy hunting.
By Trina Davies
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
"There are some startling transitions between close-up action and expansive vistas, filled with herds of imaginatively created “animals.”" - Montreal Gazette
"The only way to do it actual justice is to go see it."
- Montreal Theatre Hub
"Structured primarily as a series of monologues, the cast integrates a beautiful and unexpected musical element that feeds the magical energy that buzzes around the periphery of The Trophy Hunt.
A must-see." - Broadway World Montreal
Magnificence
Adapted from the words and writings of Keir's late mother, May Ebbitt Cutler, and her award-winning memoir from her childhood summers in the Laurentians.
Written and Performed by Keir Cutler
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Doctor Keir Co
Winner "Best Text" Montreal Fringe Festival
"A touching story of goodwill, generosity, and humanity that no audience member will forget." - Montreal Theatre Hub
"A magnificent storytelling experience."
- Montreal Rampage
FIVE STARS – Winnipeg Free Press
Paradise Lost
A multi-media puppet adaptation of John Milton's 17th poem.
Written and Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
and Beyond the Mountain Productions
Winner “Best of the Festival Award” Frigid Festival, New York City
Winner “Best of the Festival Award” Atlantic Fringe Festival, Halifax
“Charismatic and flawless” - Three Weeks (Edinburgh)
“Strikes with the force of devilish revelation.” - The Montreal Gazette
“This is the best theater that I have seen in a long time.”
- Cultural Capital (New York City)
FIVE STARS – Winnipeg Free Press
Haunted
The true of Esther Cox, a young bar maid from Amherst, Nova Scotia, who in 1879, became the subject of the most documented poltergeist event in North American history.
Written and Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
and Hudson Village Theatre
“Like Van Dyck’s most recent hits, this one isn’t just well-written, smoothly directed and compelling to watch. It has that magical quality of ease and insouciance that lets a good yarn unravel like a ball of wool.” – The Gazette
“Haunted is riveting story-telling at its best.”
– Westmount Examiner
“From the moment the cello and violin music greet the audience, you know that you are in truly professional theatrical hands.”
- Rover Montreal Arts Uncovered
The Nisei & The Narnauks
The magical story of a Japanese Canadian girl who runs away from a World War II interment camp to find acceptance in the Spirit World of the Haida People.
Written and Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels)
& Persephone Productions
Winner “Outstanding Contribution to Theatre”
Montreal English Theatre Awards
“Magic is afoot… Auteur director Paul Van Dyck continues to come up with surprises.”- Montreal Gazette
“Paul Van Dyck has created a lovely narrative full of terrific puppets and moments of sheer delight.” - Rover Arts
“It is to be commended for making the tragic
into something magical.” - Montreal Bulletin
Oroonoko
Based on the 17th century novel by Aphra Behn, Oroonoko chronicles an African Prince’s journey into slavery and the woman who dared to tell his story.
Written and Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Montréal, arts interculturels
& Persephone Productions
Winner “Outstanding Direction”
(Montreal English Theatre Awards)
“A play that takes on racial discrimination, women’s rights, class war, and colonialism, all at one sitting, is an ambitious project. But Paul Van Dyck’s remarkable adaptation of Oroonoko, manages to bring it all home.”
– The Montreal Gazette
“Oroonoko is really quite a stellar piece of theatre.” – The Charlebois Post
“Oroonoko moves, thanks in part to Van Dyck’s brilliant direction.” – Rover Arts
Blood Wild
Hiding out in a town with no name, the Jackson gang has just pulled off the ultimate holdup. But when the money goes missing along with their leader, these outlaws are about to discover just how wild the West can get.
Written & Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
Winner “Le Prix Fred Barry” (Montreal Fringe)
3rd Place New Play Contest (Toronto Fringe)
“This tale of robbery and betrayal is riveting.” – The Gazette
“Blood Wild’s aim is true.”
Jim Burke – Theatre Funhouse
“From the opening bars of “The Streets of Laredo” to the final swing of the saloon doors, the play had everyone in its leather gloved grip.” – Rover
“Blood Wild is a rip-snortin’ good time.” – Ontario Arts Review
Social Studies
A bittersweet comedy about a Sudanese Lost Boy finding a new family in Canada.
By Tricia Cooper
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Centaur Theatre
“Director Paul Van Dyck, making his Centaur debut, has acquitted himself admirably, adding a dash of hyper to the kitchen-sink realism." – Montreal Gazette
“Centaur Theatre’s latest production gets an A”
–Montreal Times
“Worthy of Paul Van Dyck’s terrific directing skills.” – Rover
JONNO
An angry comedy about a famous radio personality, the women he assaults, and Mr. Donkey Long-Ears, his only friend.
By Alix Sobler
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
“Paul Van Dyck directs with lots of tension and imagination.” – Now
“This play focusing on the survivors of harassment and abuse is now about so much more than Jian Ghomeshi.” – Now
"Giving the last word where last word’s due.” – Life With More Cowbell
Hyena Subpoena
A multimedia meditation on predator and prey,
and the creatures within.
Written and Produced by Cat Kidd
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
“I was leaning forward in my seat the whole time.”
– Mooney on Theatre (Toronto)
“Prepare to be blown away.”
– Georgia Straight (Vancouver)
“Riveting” – Strait Times (Singapore)
FIVE STARS – Winnipeg Free Press
When Memories Have Us
A site-specific docudrama based on interviews with Holocaust survivors living in Montreal.
Written and Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by The Segal Centre
Finalist of the QWF Prize for Playwriting
"Tackling the holocaust/memory through verbatim theatre made the immensity of the subject matter and the theme accessible as opposed to overwhelming...
An absolute jewel of a play."
- QWF Awards Jury Comments
The Harvester
In a future where time can be captured in a bottle, one man chooses to live forever, even though he may be the last person on earth.
Written & Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
Winner “Best of the Festival Award” Atlantic Fringe Festival, Halifax
“Normally, I’m not into science fiction. But Van Dyck is brilliant.”
– The Montreal Gazette
“Anything written and/or directed by Paul Van Dyck is guaranteed to be good, and The Harvester is no exception” – Rover Arts
“A beautiful play.” – Bloody Underrated
“Paul Van Dyck has put together a terse, absorbing bit of theatre, filling it with the kind of detail we need to form a complete picture of his sci-fi world.”
– The Chronicle Herald (Halifax)
Miss Sugarpuss Must Die!
A hilariously dark vaudevillian romp revealing Montreal’s Queen of Burlesque and her alter-ego in the strip down of their lives.
By Holly Gauthier-Frankel & Paul Van Dyck
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions, Centaur WildSide Festival
And The Segal Centre
Winner “Best Production” (Montreal Fringe Festival)
Winner “Best Costume Design” (Montreal English Critic Circle Awards)
“When director Paul Van Dyck gets together with local burlesque queen Miss Sugarpuss to do a thriller, it's not going to be boring. Category: Must-See.”
– The Gazette
“It’s hard not to be completely enchanted by Miss Sugarpuss.” – Rover Arts
“A wonderful erotic centrifuge at maximum velocity.” – Montreal Mirror
“Don’t miss this tap-dancin’, drinkin’ n’ singin’, strippin’ n’ struttin’, turbo-entertainer. She will melt your heart and get it racin’ too!”
– The Charlebois Post
Cornered
Set in the murky world of small-time boxing, where the fight for survival isn't confined to the ring.
By Jim Burke
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
And Infinitheatre
“Well written, beautifully directed and brilliantly performed.”
– Rover Montreal Arts Uncovered
“It’s like David Mamet parachuted into “Coronation Street”...
A brill little show you could really get your newtons into.”
– Montreal Mirror
“This was one extremely entertaining piece of drama. Go check it out!”
– Bloody Underrated
Mission Drive
An Episcopalian church is on the verge of financial ruin when a mysterious billionaire arrives and offers to save the church in exchange for saving his soul.
By Ned Cox
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
“Brilliant… An absolute must-see!”
– CKUT The Theatre Review Corner
“Hilarious” – The Gazette
“Mission Drive is a black comedy spiced with irreverent violence and divine aspirations to save your mortal soul.” – Hour
penumbra
Fantasy, voyeurism, love, and lust drive four separate lives to find each other within the hazy realms of modern romance.
By Katharine Dempsey
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions &
Centaur Theatre’s Wildside Festival
“This is serious theatre that takes on a provocative topic”
– The Gazette
“Penumbra is the kind of play which defines modern theatre as much as it defines our own lives” – The Suburban
“À des poussières près le jeu est impeccable, incarné, troublant, tout en demi-ton interlope, dans une retenue subtile, habité tant dans le dit que l'implicite.” – Le Quatrieme
Equus
The story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious fascination with horses.
By Peter Shaffer
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Village Scene Productions
“Playwright Peter Shaffer created a modern classic when Equus premiered in London in 1973, but any successful production relies just as strongly on artistic vision as it does on the written word. Director Paul Van Dyck, a Montreal theatre favourite, creates a layered visual experience, allowing the action to take place in and around the audience's periphery. The shadow of Harry Potter and the shock of nudity may still be a draw for certain theatregoers, but this production is a galloping success on its own artistic merits.”
– The Montreal Gazette
“Spell-binding” – The Charlebois Post
“Beautifully staged.”
Pat Donnelly – Stage and Page
“An amazing experience.” – Orcasound
“Superbe! L’illusion est excellente, et est tout à l’honneur de Paul Van Dyck, le metteur en scène.”
– Zoneculture.com
The Cyclops
When a patient at a psychiatric hospital falls in love with a young nurse, only in his imaginary world of music and magic can they be together.
Written, Directed, & Composed
by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
& Centaur Theatre’s Wildside Festival
“A cabaret-style freak-show fantasy, with good live music and a four-member cast sparkling with talent.” – The Gazette
“The Cyclops, a fantastical new script by Paul Van Dyck, is not your mother’s musical.”
– Montreal Mirror
“What a delightful play! The Cyclops does not disappoint.” – Indyish
Kabarett: A Cheerical!
Socio-political sketch comedy inspired by Berlin Kabarett theatre
and Cheerleading.
Co-Written & Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by The Montreal All-Star Cheerleaders
& Centaur Theatre's Wildside Festival
“This local show is a gem. It mixes real social and political satire with cheerleading.
What more do you need to know?”
Amy Barratt – Montreal Mirror
“A timely commentary on topics ranging from Canada's image in world politics, weapons of mass destruction, and public masturbation... The Montreal All-Star Cheerleaders could become one of the most talked-about acts in town. ”
– The McGill Tribune
The Sum of All Cheers
Canada's most prized possession has been stolen: Terry Fox's sock!
Have no fear, The Montreal All-Star Cheerleaders are here.
Co-Written & Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by The Montreal All-Star Cheerleaders
“Trust me, they are not like any archetypal cheerleading troupe you've ever encountered.”
Bill Brownstein – The Montreal Gazette
“Smart, sassy women in short skirts - what could be bad?... In between we get some stinging Canadian history they certainly don’t teach you in grade school.” – Montreal.com
The Adventures of Mouse & Crab
A Darwinian fable pitting friendship against survival as a mouse and a crab find themselves trapped in a hot air balloon set for the sun.
Written & Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Produced by Rabbit in a Hat Productions
“Van Dyck explores the dynamic of survival: the characters become friends, betray each other and use tactic after tactic, however brutal to get what they want from each other, just as humans do.”
– The Ottawa Citizen
“The story started off as a cute children’s fable, but quickly took on dark themes... The result is a play about two approaches to evolution, pitting the mouse character’s core morality against the crab’s Darwinian view.” – The Brockville Recorder and Times