Theatre Rusticle Inc.

Theatre Rusticle Inc. is a Canadian nonprofit physical theatre company dedicated to creating original and daring theatrical works that blend text and movement. The company was incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization in March 2005 and has become recognized for its distinctive style combining plays, poems, history, and literature into performances that emphasize the interplay between bodily movement and language.

History and Mission

Founded in 1998 by Allyson McMackon, Theatre Rusticle began as an independent company specializing in physical theatre, with its first production presented at the San Francisco Fringe Festival in the same year. The organization focuses on crafting plays that are "spare yet image drenched," embracing both textual and corporeal expression to explore emotional and narrative depth. Rooted in a philosophy that the creative process should be visible within the performance itself, Theatre Rusticle’s work is often described as challenging, dream-like, and rich in meaning, engaging both performers and audiences in reflections on identity and the human condition.

Artistic Style and Themes

The company’s artistic approach involves "eating away" at source materials—much like rusticles—transforming texts, bodies, emotions, and narratives into haunting and innovative theatrical forms. Productions have ranged widely in content, including adaptations and works inspired by Strindberg, Restoration Comedy, Virginia Woolf, and Pierre Trudeau, among others. Their work is noted for a lyrical fusion of movement, music, and text, and has been praised for its hypnotic blending of reality and fantasy.

Recognition and Performances

Theatre Rusticle has garnered significant critical acclaim, receiving 17 Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations over its history. The company has presented its work across Canada at festivals and venues such as the SuperNova Theatre Festival in Nova Scotia, Magnetic North Theatre Festival in Vancouver, and performances in Kelowna, Salt Spring Island, and Victoria. From 2013 to 2020, Theatre Rusticle partnered with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in producing devised pieces.

Funding and Support

The organization has benefited from project funding from notable arts foundations and councils, including the Laidlaw Foundation, The Trillium Foundation, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts, supporting its development and production activities between 2000 and 2020.

Activities

Beyond theatrical productions, Theatre Rusticle also engages in educational outreach by providing workshops and classes aimed at theatre creation and performance, fostering community involvement and skill development in the arts.

Critical Acclaim

Critics have lauded Theatre Rusticle’s innovative work, with descriptions such as "one of the most imaginative companies in Canada" (Paula Citron, The Globe and Mail), "a lyrical mix of movement, music and text" (The Vancouver Sun), and performances that offer "an expressionistic journey into the subconscious" (Glenn Sumi, NOW). The company’s pioneering integration of physical theatre with literary and historical sources continues to contribute to the vibrancy of Canadian performing arts.

Business Registration Number: 860189299RR0001

Note: The company operates under the legal name Theatre Rusticle Inc. and is registered as a charity in Canada.