Claire Thérèse’s Embargo

The lengths we will go to be free thinkers and dreamers- a physical theatre/punk fiasco.

Claire Thérèse Friesen’s Embargo premiered as a work in progress with MayWorks Festival in 2017. In the autumn of 2019 the artistic team (Claire, Arne MacPherson, Delf Gravert, Gwendolyn Collins and Andraea Sartison) returned to the collaboration, with renewed inspiration and vigour. Together, through a long term ritualistic creation process they are reimagining Embargo as a punk show accompanied by a live band.

Embargo explores the idea of importing art into non-conventional venues and potentially isolated communities. Claire was inspired by the non-profit organization Solidarity Rock, which sends Canadian bands to tour Cuba and helps support a growing, yet under-nurtured and under-resourced Cuban punk scene. Embargo works within the parameters of using extremely lo-fi technology and minimal sets, the primary focus being to explore innovative ways to tell stories without relying on dialogue, finding a more universal language that enables us to transcend boundaries.

Thanks for Prairie Theatre Exchange, MayWorks Festival, Winnipeg Arts Council and Manitoba Arts Council for the support of the project in various stages of development.

photos by Kristian Jordan and Delf Gravert