Play Date
Read a play with us each month
Monthly play reading activity aiming to spread awareness, and increase appreciation of playwrights and playwriting from around the world. Anyone is welcome to join, and read regardless of play reading or language skills. The session will be followed by a discussion led by a professional theatre artist to spark conversations about the themes, style, form, and current world issues related to the selected play.
Coming up next
Third Thursday of the Month
7:00PM - 9:30PM
The Damask Drum
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Yukio Mishima was a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor, model, Shintoist, nationalist, and the founder of the Tatenokai (楯の会, “Shield Society”). Regarded as one of the most significant post-war stylists of the Japanese language, he was considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times during the 1960s. Yukio Mishima remains one of the most widely read Japanese authors worldwide, despite being a controversial figure. However, his modern Noh plays, which revitalize a theatrical tradition dating back to the 14th century, are less well known outside of Japan.
ABOUT THE PLAY
The Damask Drum, is a modernized adaptation of the 15th century love story between a gardener and princess, with a ghostly twist. Taking place in the hustle and bustle of modern Japan, a lowly janitor falls in love with a young woman who lives in the apartment building across the street. Desperate for her love, he beats a drum over the noise of the city street to gain her attention.
Noh is a classical Japanese theatre style characterized by its slow, stylized movements, elaborate costumes, and use of masks. Originating in the 14th century, it combines dance, drama, music, and poetry to convey stories often rooted in Japanese folklore and history. The minimalistic stage and subtle, symbolic gestures create a unique, meditative performance experience.
JOIN PLAY DATE
Play Date is a monthly play reading activity, held on the third Thursday of each month. We read one play from around the world together. The play reading is followed by a group discussion about the play. Anyone is welcome to join and practice reading out loud, regardless of experience or level of English comprehension. With Play Date, learning English becomes fun. This is a place where you can practice speaking out loud, expand your vocabulary and meet new people. Play Date is produced by Crane Creations Theatre Company. Crane Creations is an immigrant led professional theatre company located in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. Join us for our next Play Date!
Reading a play is like venturing into a new world.
Third
Thursday
Every Month
every 3rd Thursday, 7:00PM - 9:30PM
Testimonial
FAQ
Most frequently asked questions and answers
Do I need to purchase a copy of the play to participate?
No, there is no need to purchase the play in order to participate in the play reading, although we strongly encourage you to supporting the livelihood of playwrights by purchasing their published work. For the purpose of Play Date read, we have obtained a permission of the playwrights to read their work and you will be provided with access to it on the day of the read. Please do consider supporting playwright by either purchasing the play, attending a show in the future or donating. Thank you.
Can I just listen if I don’t want to read?
Absolutely! If you would like to join us for one session just to see how it goes, feel free.
I have never read a play before. How do I prepare?
You are trying something new! Yay! No need to prepare anything, we will explain how things go during our event. If you have any special requests, or accessibility needs, please e-mail us at: info@cranecreations.ca
How do I suggest a play to read?
Of course you can! Join us for a Play Date, and enter your suggested play in the survey at the end of the session. Our team will read the play, contact the playwright (if the play is still under copyright) and add find a way how to add it to the schedule.
How are the roles going to be distributed?
Each Play Date we share the roles based on how many characters are in the story, and how many participants we have.
What If I'm not very good at reading?
Don’t worry. There is no pressure! This is your time to practice, and fail without judgement. People of all levels are welcome to join.