Soulpepper’s Lorenzo Savoini to Represent Canada in Prague this Summer

Soulpepper’s Dora Award-winning set and lighting design for Of Human Bondage created by Resident Designer Lorenzo Savoini has been selected to represent Canada this summer at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space, often referred to as the “Olympics of Scenography.”

“It is such a huge honour to have been chosen to represent my country and Soulpepper in such a prestigious exhibit,” says Savoini. “I have always dreamed of going to the Prague Quadrennial simply as a visitor, but to also be given the privilege to share my work alongside such talented fellow Canadian and international designers makes it that much more exciting.”

Launched in 1967, the Prague Quadrennial welcomes representatives from over 70 countries and attracts up to 50,000 visitors. More than 1,000 artists and students from around the world are expected to participate.

Says Savoini about Of Human Bondage: “This production is so beautifully theatrical. Every element, from the direction, to the acting, to the many design elements, was woven together so meaningfully. I think it holds an interesting and important place within Canadian theatre right now, in that it is a great example of a contemporary staging of a seminal, classic story. It is a production that proves what long rehearsal and design development periods can bring to life. It’s rare to find that level of commitment to process outside of Soulpepper.”

The Associated Designers of Canada is the governing body that selects which artists represent Canada at the Prague Quadrennial. An esteemed jury of Astrid Janson, Teresa Przybylski and Allan Stichbury surveyed work from across the country to make their selections. Along with Soulpepper and Savoini, the work of other Canadian companies and artists being represented in Prague includes: Michael Gianfrancesco (Cabaret, Shaw Festival); Eo Sharp (The Seagull, Segal Centre, Montreal); Snezana Pesic (ONE, Ghost River Theatre, Calgary); Patrick Du Wors, Erin Macklem, and Brian Linds (Turn of the Screw, Belfry Theatre, Victoria); and Bretta Gerecke and Wade Staples (Nevermore, Catalyst Theatre, Edmonton).

PQ2015, held from June 18 to 28, will be the world’s largest exhibition in theatre.Of Human Bondage, a world premiere directed by Albert Schultz, winner of seven Dora Awards in 2014 including Outstanding Production returns to Soulpepper from May 2 to June 27, 2015.