A 15-year knitting journey helps an actor answer questions about life, religion and more resulting in a funny and moving live theatre show.
Trail Arts Council presents “The Knitting Pilgrim” a multidisciplinary one-person play on Tuesday, April 15 at 7:30 pm at The Bailey Theatre in Trail.
Using storytelling, image projection and a one-of-a-kind textile installation called “Stitched Glass”.
Hand-knit by Kirk Dunn, Stitched Glass is a triptych of large panels, designed in the style of stained-glass windows, which looks at the commonalities and conflicts amongst the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Kirk and seasoned writer Claire Ross Dunn, co-wrote “The Knitting Pilgrim”, which uses the Stitched Glass panels – collectively over 90 pounds of knitting – as its set. The play recounts Kirk’s artistic and spiritual journey of hand-knitting the project, and his hope to contribute to the vital conversation about xenophobia, Antisemitism and Islamophobia, dealing with internal/external strife, and fear of the other.
“The hope has always been to create conversation,…How can we better understand and empathize with each other? Everyone has a unique background, point of view, and experience, and at the same time, many experiences are universal. Focusing on what knits us together, rather than what pulls us apart, is a place to start.”
Directed by Jennifer Tarver, and performed by actor, writer, and knitter Kirk Dunn, “The Knitting Pilgrim” has performed almost 100 times internationally. The show was named a Critic’s Fringe Pick in Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton, as well as One of ‘Top Ten Shows to See’ by NOW Magazine.
Kirk Dunn’s credits include Dudley in “Dudley the Dragon”, “Billy Bishop Goes to War”, “Merlin” and “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” “ Dads! The Musical”, “Romeo and Juliet’ (Ford Centre); “A Flea in Her Ear”, and “Don’t Dress for Dinner”.
Kirk has been knitting since 1988,and apprenticed with Kaffe Fassett in England and has since been covered in The Toronto Star, Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Knitting, Knitting Magazine (UK), Maclean’s Magazine, the National Post and on CBC Radio.
Knitting is encouraged during the show if audience members are so inclined—Kirk has yarn and needles to give out onstage. People can also Bring Their Own Knitting (#BYOK). Kirk plans to use the audience’s knitting to assemble a giant Moebius Strip, a curiously paradoxical object that has significance in the play.
Single tickets are $30, and for those under 30 years old, or using the Community Access Card, is $10. Patron Members get 20% Tickets available online at tickets.trail-arts.com, by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail.
This performance is made possible thanks to the support of our sponsors Century 21 Kootenay Homes (2018) Ltd., Pharmasave Trail, Teck Trail Operations, and Tourism South Kootenay and our funders the BC Arts Council, BC Live Performance Network, and the Government of Canada. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNowNews Alerts.
