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Detail of illustrated image of a woman, naked from the waist up, sitting at an antique typewriter, her back to us. At the top right, in the background, a vintage typewriter keyboard chart.
Detail of illustrated image of a woman, naked from the waist up, sitting at an antique typewriter, her back to us. At the top right, in the background, a vintage typewriter keyboard chart.
Photo: Poster design by Suzanne Courtney.

Liberation & desire Liberation & desire

+ the secret weapon in a Victorian-era battle for equal opportunity.

Photo: Poster design by Suzanne Courtney.

Home Events Performance Alumnae Theatre presents: Age of Arousal

Alumnae Theatre presents: Age of Arousal

From Wednesday, March 12 to Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Alumnae Theatre Company presents Age of Arousal, by Linda Griffiths. Wildly inspired by The Odd Women, by George Gissing. A powerful ensemble piece set in an era of tumultuous change, this play explores the forbidden and gloriously liberated self, where characters grapple with explosive and contradictory desires.

A provocative & compelling narrative that you won’t want to miss!

It’s 1885 London, where the charismatic 60-year-old former suffrage activist Mary runs a school for female secretaries, assisted by her zealous protégé and lover, 35-year-old Rhoda. When Rhoda bumps into childhood friend Virginia – who, along with her sisters Alice and Monica, has fallen on hard times following the death of their father – Rhoda invites them to the school. Meanwhile, Mary’s handsome young cousin Everard, a 30-something former doctor, has returned from his travels seeking to continue a life of leisure in London. Revelations, contradictions and passions erupt as the characters navigate a shifting new world of machines and morals – all against a backdrop of Victorian-era women’s rights and sexual liberation movements.

Directed by Victoria Shepherd, with intimacy direction by Rebecca Lashmar, and produced by Valérie Carrier and Kimberley Ann Croscup, the cast features Danielle Cox, Andrea Lyons, Cate McKim, Natalie Pepe-Francis, Mason Sheaves and Natalie Stephenson.

Linda Griffiths (1953 – 2014) was an award-winning Canadian actor and playwright. Age of Arousal was developed in a series of workshops produced by Duchess Productions. Its world premiere was presented as part of the Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays 2007, at Alberta Theatre Projects.

This production is generously supported by Studio Lab Theatre Foundation.

About Alumnae Theatre Company

Alumnae Theatre Company – Toronto’s oldest theatre club still in operation – is run primarily by women volunteers. It is dedicated to producing thought-provoking plays not seen elsewhere and developing the skills of women in theatre. Over their 100+ years of theatre production, they have become a training ground for notable Canadian theatre talent, including Shirley Barrie, R.H. Thomson, Kelly Thornton and Sue Miner, among others. In addition to their season of full-length plays, they produce two festivals of new works (FireWorks and Big Ideas Festival) and, formerly, the New Ideas Festival (for 36 years, until 2024). Read more about them and their history here.

Illustrated image of a woman, naked from the waist up with a patterned sheet wrapped around her hips, sitting at an antique typewriter. Top right, in the background, a vintage typewriter keyboard chart.

(Photo credits: Alumnae Theatre Company. Poster design by Suzanne Courtney.)

Event details

Hosted by: Alumnae Theatre Company

Type of event: theatre performance

Written by: Linda Griffiths  Wildly inspired by The Odd Women, by George Gissing.

Directed by: Victoria Shepherd, with intimacy direction by Rebecca Lashmar.

Produced by: Valérie Carrier & Kimberley Ann Croscup

Cast: Danielle Cox, Andrea Lyons, Cate McKim, Natalie Pepe-Francis, Mason Sheaves & Natalie Stephenson. Read about the cast, plus the creative and production teams, here.

Dates: Wednesday, March 12 – Sunday, March 23, 2025 (No performances on Monday, March 17 & Tuesday, March 18)

Start times:

  • Wednesday – Saturday evenings @ 8:00 PM ET
  • Sunday matinées @ 2:00 PM ET

Duration: approx. 2 hours & 30 minutes (including intermission)

Cost: Online ticket orders will also include a $2.50 booking fee at checkout.

  • Regular: C$25.00
  • Wednesdays: 2 for 1
  • Thrifty Thursday (Thursday, March 13 only): C$5.00
  • Sundays: Pay-What-You-Wish

Location: Alumnae Theatre Company, Studio, 70 Berkeley Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 2W6 (corner of Berkeley Street and Adelaide Street East)

Trailer: Watch the trailer (to come)

Booking link: Book your tickets here. You can also book by phone at 416-364-4170 (press 1) or email at reservations@alumnaetheatre.com

Contact details: Alumnae Theatre Company, 70 Berkeley Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 2W6, Canada; 416-364-4170, contactus@alumnaetheatre.com, alumnaetheatre.com

 

Content warning: For adult audiences. Sexual language and content. Depictions of alcoholism. References to prisoner abuse, force feeding, physical assault and extreme medical procedures on women.

Accessibility: The third floor walk-up Studio theatre is not currently accessible.

COVID-19 policy: Please stay home if you are feeling ill. HEPA filters have been installed in the auditorium to improve air quality in the theatre.

Refund policy: Refunds will be made in full in case of a cancelled performance. No other refunds will be made. Exchanges can be made up to 8 hours in advance of your performance, subject to availability. Please contact the box office at reservations@alumnaetheatre.com