The Attic, the Pearls & 3 Fine Girls
Theatre Columbus Presents
The Attic, the Pearls & 3 Fine Girls (1995)
Created Collectively by Jennifer Brewin, Leah Cherniak, Alisa Palmer, Ann-Marie MacDonald & Martha Ross
- Jelly FineLeah Cherniak
- Jayne FineAnn-Marie MacDonald
- Jo-Jo FineMartha Ross
- Director Alisa Palmer
- Costume & Set DesignerDany Lyne
- Lighting DesignerAndrea Lundy
- ComposersAllen Cole & John Millard
It took over three years to create Attic. For its creation we drew from our own richly fertile lives, starting with non-verbal improvisations, then adding text, developing scene after scene until the story found us. Then came music and design.
The Attic, the Pearls & 3 Fine Girls (1997)
Theatre Columbus in Association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
When: Mar 2 – Mar 30, 1997, Tuesday – Saturday 8:30pm, Sunday 2:30pm
Venue: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
1997 Cast
- Jelly FineLeah Cherniak
- Jayne FineAnn-Marie MacDonald
- Jo-Jo FineMartha Ross
1997 Creative Team
- Director Alisa Palmer
- Contributing Artist Jennifer Brewin
- Costume & Set DesignerDany Lyne
- Lighting DesignerAndrea Lundy
- Music DesignersAllen Cole & John Millard
- Sound DesignerCathy Nosaty
- Sound DesignerCathy Nosaty
- Stage ManagerSharon DiGenova
- Assistant Stage ManagerShauna Janssen
The Attic, the Pearls & 3 Fine Girls (1998)
Great Canadian Theatre Company Presents A Theatre Columbus Creation
Five years ago we began this project with nothing but a spot, a pearl and a few miles of technique, talent and enthusiasm. We began by creating The Attic, the Pearls and 3 Fine Girls from non-verbal improvisations and here we found the sisters and their memories. We created text and developed scene after scene until the story found us. Then came the trunks, the dresses, the music and, at long last, the audience.
I’m delighted to return to the Fine family home, to revisit it with fresh eyes and refuelled attitudes. I thank Theatre Columbus and the Great Canadian Theatre Company for the rare opportunity to party again with the Fine sisters and our extended family of thespian collaborators.
Alisa Palmer, Director & Script Collaborator
1998 Cast
- Jelly FineLeah Cherniak
- Jayne FineAnn-Marie MacDonald
- Jo-Jo FineMartha Ross
1998 Creative Team
- Director Alisa Palmer
- Contributing Artist Jennifer Brewin
- Costume & Set DesignerDany Lyne
- Lighting DesignerAndrea Lundy
- Music DesignersAllen Cole & John Millard
- Sound DesignerCathy Nosaty
- Stage ManagerSharon DiGenova
- Apprentice Stage Manager Judi Pearl
1998 Crew
- Painting Eliza Griffiths
- CrewRoss Imrie, Jeff Manning & Keith Moulton
- Lighting TechniciansTracy Alves, Darcy Burgess, Jeff Manning & Keith Moulton
- Assistant Technical DirectorKate
Awards and Reviews
1995 Dora Awards – Small Theatre
- Award Outstanding Performance by a Female – Play: Martha Ross
- Nomination for Outstanding Direction: Alisa Palmer
- Nomination for Outstanding New Play or Musical: Leah Cherniak, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Martha Ross with Alisa Palmer, Jennifer Brewin
- Nomination for Outstanding Costume Design: Dany Lyne
- Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female – Play: Leah Cherniak
- Nomination for Outstanding Production of a Play: Theatre Columbus
1996 Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Awards
- Nominated for Leah Cherniak, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Martha Ross in association with Alisa Palmer and Jennifer Brewin
1997 Dora Awards – Mid-Size Theatre Division
- AWARD Outstanding Lighting Design: Andrea Lundy
- AWARD Outstanding Set Design: Dany Lyne
- Nomination Outstanding Performance by a Female – Play: Ann-Marie MacDonald
- Nomination Outstanding Production of a Play: Theatre Columbus in assoc. with Buddies in Bad Times
- Nomination Outstanding Music/Composing: John Millard and Allen Cole
“It is remarkable balancing act of broad comedy and real drama that makes this play intensely watchable”
– Kate Taylor, Globe and Mail (1995), 3 Stars
“…it is with the synphonically orchestrated work of the three together, with the ensemble excellence that frames the sisters’ emotional symbiosis that Attic really dances it’s frantic, antic way into audience hearts. The shared moments of sillines, of sadness, of joy and of fierce, fierce loyalty will ring true for any woman who has had a sister, literally or figuratively.”
– Janice Kennedy, The Ottawa Citizen (1998)
“It’s a lively, chaotic, amusing and occasionally tedious evening at the old Fine house as the sisters argue, reconcile, remember and skewer satirically some of the guests who attend the party.”
– Tom McSorley, CBC Radio (1998)
SPECIAL THANKS: the Brewin sisters & big brother, the Cherniak sisters, 12 Kensington for canine compassion et al., the Lone Palmer sister and brother, John Millard, the MacDonald sisters and icky brother, the Newman sisters, Nightwood Theatre’s Groundswell program, the Ross sisters, Théâtre français de Toronto, Paul Rainville, Catherine Langlois and Pelee Island Winery.