Whose side are you on?
New York City. 1849. A time when theatre meant so much to people, they would KILL for it!
Two Shakespearean actors, BITTER RIVALS, battle each other to win the audience.
Based on the incredible TRUE STORY of the deadliest theatre riot of all time: the National Guard, cannons, fires, kilts, angry mobs, over 30 deaths, and a bloody sheep carcass.
Real life brothers Jeff and Ryan Gladstone get to the bottom of why people find it so easy to fight in this BRAND NEW Monster Theatre creation.
Created by Jeff and Ryan Gladstone
Directed by Lois Anderson
Costumes by Nita Bowerman
“Taking the form of one of the best history podcasts you’ve ever heard. Certainly the most accomplished piece of theatre I’ve seen inside this remarkably accomplished year. RIOT! is a delightfully kinetic Masterpiece!” ★★★★★ -Edmonton Journal
“A Monster Hit!” -Liz Nicholls, 12th Night
“For this show, Fringe favourite Ryan Gladstone is joined by his brother Jeff in a comedy based on a true story of how a theatre rivalry between two 19th century actors, English actor William Macready and American actor Edwin Forrest. When both are cast in two simultaneously running productions of Macbeth both claim to be the superior actor. When the press gets ahold of the story the rivalry becomes public and eventually ends in a riot.
Jeff plays the condescending snobbish McReady while Ryan plays the comparatively uncouth Forrest. Their heated exchanges as they vie for the high ground produce high comedy.
This play is graced with a very funny script and both actors shine in their roles and both put in sharp performances. The result is a comedy that, in my opinion, is one of the funniest Monster Theatre shows ever. Monster Theatre is at their best. What more needs to be said?” -UMFM
TOURING IS COMPLETE for the initial run of RIOT! Stay tuned for more touring in the future!
“It’s 1849 in New York City. The streets smell of urine and class tensions are mounting. In steps the thespian Macready, the toast of the elite, to perform at the exclusive Astor Place. Conflict with his rival Forrest, a working-class theatre hero, help to spark a bloody theatre riot. Vancouver-based brothers Jeff and Ryan Gladstone’s retell this history as a rapid-fire one-hour comedy. They swap characters, accents and insults with brilliant skill. It’s little wonder this touring show has been a hit in so many other cities.” -Winnipeg Free Press
