Cinderella’s Ugly Stepsisters are back. This time, it’s their ball.
The Ugly Stepsisters cordially invite you back to the Palace, just like the good old days. Doesn’t everyone love a ball? The pageantry, the elegance, the romance… but their ball, their rules, and the world’s most infamous step-siblings are ready to dish the dirt. What scandals hide within the glittering facade? What was Cinderella really like? Are the stepsisters really vapid? Vindictive?… Victims?
Small Matters Productions presents – The Spinsters. A seductive feast featuring mesmerizing movement, magical dresses, and stunning shadow puppetry. It’s a deliciously disruptive dark comedy for adults brought to life by some of the most innovative designers and creators from across Western Canada.Runtime: Approximately 75 minutes.
Recommended for ages 14+.
PLEASE NOTE: The Spinsters contains many mature themes. Read content descriptions HERE.
Small Matters creates using an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and horizontal power structure. They would like to acknowledge that traditional theatrical crediting structure does not fully reflect the interdepartmental collaborative nature of their work.
Creative Team
Conceived, written and performed by Christine Lesiak & Tara Travis
Directed by Jan Selman
Movement and choreography by Ainsley Hillyard
Puppetry direction by Jeny Cassady
Dramaturgy by Suzie Martin
Production management, technical direction and stage management by Kat Evans
Assistant stage management by Andrea Handal Rivera*
Head concept and costume design by Adam Dickson with Ian Walker
Set and prop design by Ian Walker with Adam Dickson
Mechanical design and special effects by Ian Walker
Puppet and wig design by Dusty Hagerüd with Steven Snider
Lighting design by Nico Weismiller, adapted for the Westbury by Kat Evans and Simon Wicks.
Original composition and sound design by Michael Caron
Additional music by Lindsey Walker
Lighting Operator by Simon Wicks
Sound and Video Operator Liv Bunge
Accessibility Consultant Brooke Leifso
ASL intepretation by Diane De Andrade, Lacey Hews, and Robyn Lavender.
Costume Technical Team:
- Chanelle Picazo – Dye House Designer/Sewer
- Kevin Kriesz – Mock-up Sewer/Corsetry
- Martha Pandelo Salgado– Sewer
- Valentine Valor – Sewer
- Renda Rico – Sewer
- Daian Tang Le – Sewing Assistant
- Nita Bowerman – Sewing Assistant
- Anna Pan – Sewing Assistant
Graphic illustration by Kurt Firla
*The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).
Additional Credits:
Small Matters would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of:
Creation workshop directors Suzie Martin and Jeny Cassady
Dramaturgy and mentorship support from: David van Belle through the Alberta Playwrights Network and RBC Mentorship Program
Good Woman Dance Collective’s Creative Incubator
Character development workshopping with Deanna Fleysher and Jan Henderson
Early Movement Consultation with Jake Hastey
Puppet show production assistance by Carson Gervais
