The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time
“Walter Borden is Out of This World” NS Reviews
- In-person event
- English
- Ages 16+
- ≈ 90 minutes · No intermission
The NAC English Theatre/Tarragon Theatre revival of the NAC English Theatre/Neptune Theatre co-production
First written and performed by Walter Borden in 1986 as Tightrope Time Ain’t Nuthin’ More Than Some Itty Bitty Madness Between Your Twilight & Your Dawn, the work was one of the pioneering Canadian plays to explore and express homosexuality from a Black perspective.
Saturating the work with a new spectrum of wisdom and perspective gained over the ensuing 35 years, Borden has created a diary of imagination and experience. He now delivers an invigorating, tour-de-force performance through the voices of 10 dynamic characters, each of whom was crucial in reflecting his philosophy on the journey of life.
The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time is a profound opportunity to witness a legendary Black Canadian artist, ushering the audience on an intimate journey through the town square, the church and through the mind of a Black homosexual man. This work gifts audiences a rare occasion to behold the resiliency and dynamism of the human spirit.
Content Warnings: This production explores racism and homophobia. There is some strong language, including descriptions of sexual activity.
Trigger Warnings: Reference to death
Black Out Night
On November 3, the NAC’s first Black Out Night of the season will coincide with the evening performance of The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time. We invite you to join a pre-show panel and a post-show celebration honoring Walter, co-presented by Black Gay Men’s Network of Ontario. Given the overwhelming success of last season's Black Out Nights, tickets for this event are expected to sell out quickly.
Black Out Nights at the NAC offer Black audiences and their guests an opportunity to enjoy performances within their community, showcasing the vibrant spectrum of the Black experience. As always, everyone is welcome to join the Black Out Night during The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time performance, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and celebration.
The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time Book for Sale
As the show arrives at the NAC, a new and fully revised edition of The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time will be released for sale by Nimbus Publishing. Audience members will have an opportunity to purchase copies of this acclaimed script before and after the opening night performance on November 2.
Talkback:
Thursday, November 9
Stay in your seats for a post-show question-and-answer session
- Written and performed by Walter Borden
- Directed by Peter Hinton-Davis
- Set. Lighting, Video Costume Designer Andy Moro
- Sound Designer and Composer Adrienne Danrich O'Neill
- Associate Sound Designer Wayne Hawthorne
- Stage Manager Fiona Jones
