Access Guide
Welcome!
The teams at Necessary Angel and Canadian Stage and Tarragon Theatre are so excited for you to join us at the Berkeley Street Theatre for ‘Moonlight Schooner’. Below is some helpful information about the show and the venue to help prepare you for your visit.
The Show
It’s May Day 1958. A small group of Black sailors are stranded on the island of St. Kitts after a terrible storm. As the looming unknowns of imperialism threaten their dreams of a better future, the sailors indulge in a responsibility-free night on the town.
In Moonlight Schooner, Dora Award-winning playwright Kanika Ambrose shares an evocative tale about the systemic and deliberate breaking of Black men by colonial forces during the Windrush Generation, and the casualties left behind.
Moonlight Schooner is the highly anticipated third collaboration between celebrated playwright Kanika Ambrose and director Sabryn Rock, following our place and Truth.
Run Time
1 hour and 32 minutes, no intermission
Latecomer Policy
Latecomers are permitted at a suitable time in the show, determined by the Front of House Team.
Exiting and Re-Entering
Audience members are welcome to exit and re-enter performance hall throught the entire show. There will be ushers stationed on either side of the audience to assist.
Content Warnings
Character vomits onstage
Discussions of colourism
Drinking Smoking
Mentions of alcoholism
Men discussing and sexualizing women ’ s bodies
Physical fighting onstage
A knife is pulled out onstage (no one is stabbed)
Mention of alcohol smuggling
Mentions of the n-word (not used as a slur towards a person)
Mentions of race and racism
Mentions of incarceration
Discussions of poverty
Discussion of violence towards a child
Coarse language
Men appear onstage shirtless
Implied sexual scenes and sounds
Mentions of sex work
One character talks to another character who is not onstage (the second character is imaginary)
Technical Warnings
Haze
Haze is used throughout the show.
Sound
Performers in the show are not amplified with microphones; however, there is a moment where two characters sing into a microphone.
There are sound cues throughout the show that emulate the sounds of waves and thunder. These sounds can feel intense and somewhat overwhelming but are never overly loud. See detailed time stamps of heightened moments below.
Lighting
The lighting throughout the show is fairly relaxed. At the top of the show, there are some flashing lights to indicate lightning. See detailed timestamps below.
Detailed Warnings
0:02:00 Character vomits
0:11:00 Character slams a stool onto the floor
0:15:00 Characters fight
0:23:00 A bowl is broken
0:37:00 Character drops bag loudly
0:55:00 Two characters begin to sing
1:08:00 Sexual sounds
1:12:00 Glass bottle is smashed against wall and floor
1:24:00 Two characters sing out to the audience
1:26:00 Characters fight, one character has a knife
Intimacy and Fight Director
Anita Nittoly, a trained intimacy and fight director, insured throughout the rehearsal process that actors are kept mentally and physically safe throughout the run of the show. All physical violence is carefully choreographed and safe and actors have been given tools to keep themselves emotionally regulated throughout the show and mentally seperated from the work following the show.
Access Measures
Physical Accessibility
This is a fully physically accessible venue. There are 4 accessible seats that can be reserved through the box office. If using a mobility device, consult the Front of House staff about the best path to your seats.
Relaxed Performance
We want everyone to feel comfortable responding how they need to during the play. We will have a relaxed show on Saturday, December 6 at 2:00pm. th
ASL Interpreted Performance
There will be an ASL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:30pm. th
Quiet Space
To get a way from the crowds and the noise of the theatre, you are welcome to take a break in our Quiet Space at any point before, during, and after the show. It will be set up with comfortable places to sit and stocked with fidget toys and earplugs.
The Cast
NehassaiudeGannes
DarenA.Herbert TIMOTHY
TonyOfori LYLE
JamieRobinson SHABINE
Community Engagement Activities
Free Childcare
We understand that enjoying the theatre with your little ones can be a juggling act. That’s why Canadian Stage has partnered with our neighbours at The Jamii Hub to offer parents FREE onsite childcare options during the Sunday, November 30th Matinee performance of Moonlight Schooner.
Black Out Night
The purpose of a Black Out performance is about creating space for Black audience members to engage with work made by Black artists, together. A Black Out performance is neither exclusionary nor prescriptive; it is a community event designed for Black audiences to connect with the work in a meaningful way. Though the intention is to create a space for as many Black identifying audience members as possible, no one will be turned away. This performance will feature a talkback as well as a post-show party!
Post Show Talkback
Join cast members Nehassaiu deGannes, Tony Ofori and Jamie Robinson moderated by Canadian Stage’s Manuel Chaves for a post show talkback after the 7:30pm show.
Preshow Artist Chat
Join Playwright Kanika Ambrose and Director Sabryn Rock for a preshow talk before the 2:00pm show.
Post Show Talkback
Join cast members Nehassaiu deGannes, Tony Ofori and Jamie Robinson moderated by Canadian Stage’s Manuel Chaves for a post show talkback after the 7:30pm show.
Preshow Artist Chat
Join Set Designer Shannon Lea Doyle for a preshow talk before the 2:00pm show.
The Venue
You can watch ‘Moonlight Schooner’ at Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Street Theatre located at 26 Berkeley Street. The closest major intersection is Front and Parliament, and Queen is the closest accessible subway station. From Queen, it is about a 20 minute walk or 1.4km journey. King Station is a closer station; however, it is not physically accessible. Take the 504 streetcar eastbound on King Street until you reach the Ontario Street stop. Walk east on King Street to Berkeley Street, turn right, and walk south past Front Street East to the second building on your right. This is the entrance to the space.
Staff & Volunteers
Our staff and volunteers will be at the entrance of the venue to scan your tickets as well as at the box office and roaming throughout the space to support you with whatever you may need. They will be wearing all black and a name tag that looks like this:
