Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
Toronto Workshop Productions/TWP
Company in Toronto, Ontario , one of the first great experimental troupes, founded by George Luscombe in 1959.
The company was the result of the amalgamation of Basya Hunter's Arts Club Theatre and Luscombe's own Workshop Productions. In 1961, Luscombe was appointed director. Their first production, Hey, Rube!, was an immediate success and established the group's penchant for exploration and collective creation . The company performed in a 100-seat factory basement before, in 1967, moving to a new 300-seat venue.
Through Luscombe, the emphasis of the company was on training and ensemble performing. They had a writer-in-residence, Jack Winter from 1961-76, and later worked with writers such as Len Peterson and Rick Salutin . The company is perhaps best known for its work Ten Lost Years .
In the late 80s, the company experienced serious financial difficulty and in 1988, the company announced a redevelopment project for its site.
The company's archives are at the LW Conolly Theatre Archives of the University of Guelph, Ontario.
Last updated 2003-01-28
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