The Big Gravel Sifter

 “When they trailed their spikes over the strings, the strings sounded again; but they played in a new way, for now they were tuned to another pitch.”

Originally a short story by August Strindberg, The Big Gravel Sifter is the tale of a family’s piano abandoned to the sea. Its recovery is determined to be too expensive and not worth the investment. The creatures of the sea who discover the piano give it new life as they try to determine what it could be and, in the process, discover music in “the key of X.” For those who live above, the mystery of this strange ocean music speaks the love that unites them, excites the possibility of their imagination and rebels against forces that cannot see beauty beyond utility and profit.

Manitoba Theatre Centre’s Strindberg Festival ‘11

Featuring Andraea Sartison, Cindy Marie Small and Coral Maloney

Music composed by Garth Hardy

Collectively created by ensemble

Script by Jason Hooper

Film by Caroline Wintoniw

With thanks to Chris Sigurdson

With support from the Manitoba Arts Council

Photos by Caroline Wintoniw featuring performer/creators Coral Maloney, Andraea Sartison & Cindy Marie Small