1s1 productions
to a flame
* currently in development *
To A Flame is an innovative, feminist reinterpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher by one of Canada's most celebrated playwrights, Erin Shields. In her dark and evocative narrative, three sisters - one Deaf, one Black, and one white - have been abandoned in a derelict house for 25 years. From this eerie confinement, the drama unfolds, compelling us to confront the forces that shape identity, grant power,
and imperil survival.
World premiere - coming in 2026!
qalb - a journey of the ego
premiered in autumn 2024 at tarragon theatre extraspace
Qalb means heart in Persian, the native language of the beloved 13th century poet, Rumi. Diving into his world of thoughts and poetry, 1s1 Theatre’s latest production Qalb – A Journey of the Ego is about heart
and resilience. Inspired by Dawn Jani Birley’s life as a Deaf person facing audism, her struggle for equity is relatable to all dealing with oppression. Birley turns to the philosophy of Rumi to transform her isolation, anger,
and frustration into a force of love in the world.
lady m (margaret)
premiered as part of the 2023 SummerWorks festival
A story of a mother’s grief. Without a child there seems little purpose. Resentment and anger build in an exploration of what happens when a heart is broken and the ache never fades... Lady M's hardened heart will lead her to do the unimaginable to get what she wants – power, influence, and her family united. Her deeds and deceit lead to a creeping paranoia, and ultimately haunting guilt. A new, Deaf-led adaptation of Macbeth that explores Shakespeare’s famous power couple with an intersectional experience for both Deaf and hearing audiences, created by Ramesh Meyyappan.
