Morris Panych | |
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Born | Morris Stephen Panych 1952 (age 71–72) Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Occupation | Playwright, Director, Actor |
Notable works | 7 Stories, Vigil, The Dishwashers, Lawrence & Holloman, Girl in the Goldfish Bowl |
Partner | Ken MacDonald |
Website | |
www |
Morris Stephen Panych (born 30 June 1952) is a Canadian playwright, director and actor.
Panych was born in Calgary, Alberta and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. He studied at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the University of British Columbia.
Vigil played at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, BC (15 November - 11 December 2022) and Panych is described on the playbill as one of Canada's "most prolific and idiosyncratic playwrights -- and one of the very best. I love his plays -- and his characters. So many of them approach the world with disdain and skepticism. But despite their best efforts -- they can't help finding the good in other people." This work is best described as a very funny black comedy. [2]
He has directed nearly one hundred theatre and opera productions, including most of his own works, and the Prix Italia nominated The Overcoat, plus several music videos and Da Vinci's Inquest . He won the 1994 Governor General's Award for Drama for The Ends of the Earth, and the 2004 Governor General's Award for Drama for Girl in the Goldfish Bowl.
In 2020 he created and wrote the web series Hey Lady! , starring Jayne Eastwood, for CBC Gem. [4]
Openly gay, Panych married his longtime partner, Ken MacDonald, in 2004. [5]
Canada's contemporary theatre reflects a rich diversity of regional and cultural identities. Since the late 1960s, there has been a concerted effort to develop the voice of the 'Canadian playwright', which is reflected in the nationally focused programming of many of the country's theatres. Within this 'Canadian voice' are a plurality of perspectives - that of the First Nations, new immigrants, French Canadians, sexual minorities, etc. - and a multitude of theatre companies have been created to specifically service and support these voices.
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The Ends of the Earth is a 1992 play by the Canadian playwright Morris Panych. It tells the story of two men, Frank and Walker, each of whom is convinced that the other is following him. Despite their best efforts at running away from each other, the two men repeatedly find themselves in the same places.
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