The Full Nelson has had some scheduling changes. The new dates, showtimes and prices are listed below:

The Full Nelson, Donald Carr’s exhilarating personal flight through the history of the African Diaspora has been extended one more week into the middle of Black History Month, and opens a week later as well.

The new dates are: previews Tuesday and Wednesday, January 25 and 26, opening Thursday January 27 and running to Sunday February 13, 2005. The show runs at Artword Theatre, 75 Portland Street, Toronto, from Tuesday to Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm.

Billed as “A Black eye on a crazy world”, The Full Nelson is by turns hilarious, engaging and touching.

Donald Carr, actor, dancer and storyteller, has created a one-man virtuoso work that is his homage to Nelson Mandela. The Full Nelson is a trip through the agony and ecstasy of Black History in the face of European colonialism. For Carr, Nelson Mandela is the latest in a succession of Black heroes who have overcome the brutal negativity of colonialism and apartheid and brought a message of redemption to the world. After 30 years on Robben Island, Nelson emerged with a message not of vengeance but of reconciliation.

Written and performed by Donald Carr, The Full Nelson is directed by Ronald Weihs and designed by Judith Sandiford. Described by Carr as a “hip-hopera”, the work is divided into seven sections that Donald calls arias. Each one portrays a different character, tracing an aspect of the Black psyche through the pre-history and history of the world. Music, visual imagery and stage effects are all part of a spectacular multi-media experience.

Donald Carr, who played the title role in last year’s ATE production, Death and the King’s Horseman, is widely known as an actor, dancer, director, choreographer, writer and storyteller. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, he trained as a dancer with Toronto Dance Theatre, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company and the National Ballet of Canada, and danced with the Pavlychencko Dance Theatre and Isintu African Dance Company.

As an actor/director, he began working with Black Theatre Canada, going on to perform in Paris, Amsterdam, London, Munich and Johannesburg. His stage credits include the title role in R. Murray Shaffer’s Ra (Toronto, Holland), the title role in Oedipus (Festival d’Avignon, France), Duke of Buckingham in Shakespeare’s Richard III, Jesus in The Gospel According to St. John and Joe in Trevor Rhone’s Smile Orange.

Donald has written and directed a steady stream of creative works that have progressively explored the boundaries of dance and theatre. Most recent works are On the Melodies of Flying Fishes, Urgent SOS, Soul Strata, and Absent Fathers, Vanishing Sons. Last year, he received a Harold award for his contributions to Canadian theatre and dance.

For more information, call Judith Sandiford at Artword Theatre 416-408-1146
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The Full Nelson Written and performed by Donald Carr
Directed by Ronald Weihs Designed by Judith Sandiford
Produced by Artword Theatre, DC Productions and AfriCan Theatre Ensemble
Dates: previews January 25-26, opens January 27, runs to February 13, 2005
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2:30 pm
Tickets: $30 regular, $25 students and seniors, Sunday matinées pwyc
For advance reservations, call 416-366-7723 ext 290 (St. Lawrence Centre Ticket Line)
or book online at www.artword.net.
For group discounts, call 416-408-1146
Artword Theatre, 75 Portland Street (one block east of Bathurst, south of King)