- Book, Music, Lyrics and Director Jonathan Christenson
- Production Designer Bretta Gerecke
Inspired by the true stories of an international team of female agents who were members of the “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” during World War II, Catalyst Theatre reimagines their struggle through a 21st Century lens. Drawing upon historical research, film noir, spy fiction and graphic novels, The Invisible is a genre-busting, multilingual “film noir musical”, a contemporary portrait of seven extraordinary women who risked their lives to fight a dangerous war of sabotage, propaganda and espionage.
The Invisible marks a return to the rich creative partnership of Jonathan Christenson and Bretta Gerecke, who have collaborated on more than 20 original Canadian productions. This show builds on Catalyst’s history of visually and sonically immersive storytelling for larger stages, seamlessly blending image, sound, text and movement.
Company
Catalyst Theatre creates bold, distinctive and highly theatrical productions – ‘Made-In-Edmonton’ theatre that is presented across Canada and around the world. The company’s core creative team strives for the unexpected, seeking out innovative ways to tell powerful stories through the inventive and playful use of evocative music, haunting sound, poetic text, dynamic choreography and stunning and surreal design.
Creative team
- Book, Music, Lyrics and Director Jonathan Christenson
- Production Designer Bretta Gerecke
- Choreographer Laura Krewski
- Dramaturge Sarah Garton Stanley
- Music Producer Matthew Skopyk
- Stage Manager John Raymond
- Assistant Stage Manager Nyssa Beairsto
- Featuring Hailey Gillis, Kristi Hansen, Justine Westby, Melissa MacPherson, Kaitlyn Semple, Melanie Piatocha, Amanda Trapp
National Creation Fund investment
The National Creation Fund’s investment of $180,000 allowed Catalyst Theatre to add a creation intensive after the first iteration of the work, and additional time for the artistic team to further refine the score, script and production design.
Credits
Catalyst Theatre is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Edmonton Arts Council, the Edmonton Community Foundation, The Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation, the Cinders Family Fund, and the Universiade ’83 Foundation, and is also supported by the generosity of a diverse group of individual donors.
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund and Vertigo Theatre.
Performance dates
Past performances
| Presented by Catalyst Theatre | Feb 4 - Feb 23, 2019 | Maclab Theatre (Edmonton) |
| Presented by the Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre | Apr 25 - May 4, 2019 | Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre (Fort McMurray) |
| Presented by Vertigo Theatre | May 11 - Jun 9, 2019 | Vertigo Theatre (Calgary) |
| Presented by the Cultch | Apr 22 - May 7, 2023 | York Theatre (Vancouver) |
| Presented by the Grand Theatre | Jan 16 - Feb 3, 2024 | Spriet Stage (London) |
| Presented by Catalyst Theatre | Sep 26 - Oct 5, 2024 | Victoria School of the Arts - Eva O. Theatre (Edmonton) |
| Presented by Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre | Oct 11 2024 | Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre (Vernon) |
| Presented by Persephone Theatre | Oct 23 - Nov 3, 2024 | Remai Arts Centre (Saskatoon) |
| Presented by Darke Hall Presents | Nov 7 - Nov 10, 2024 | Darke Hall (Regina) |
