Gleams Theatre and Diamond Bookstore offer a new expression of live drama

Gleams Theatre and Diamond Bookstore will celebrate their partnership with an opening and launch party on Sept. 7 at Diamond Bookstore. This fledgling collaboration, Gleams and Diamond Bookstore Theatre 21, will offer four productions per year, every Friday from September to June.

The first production, 'Misreadings', is composed of two short contemporary plays, and original music written and performed by Ira Sokolova.

Sokolova said the theatre group has often been described as having a distinctly "European flavour," but points out that it actually incorporates many different approaches to drama. "Gleams Theatre is connected to theatrical art, philosophy and spirituality of drama," she said. Sokolova also refers to Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski, whose idea of drama was, as she put it, "to find the best representation of a play onstage… ways for actors to look natural onstage by finding the emotional and psychological truths hidden within the lines of a text."

Sokolova has been involved in the performing arts since childhood. "It's a rich life," she said, "with many changes since I was a young girl, between acting, music, singing in night clubs, I can say that I have worked in every single job connected to theatre."

Constantin Sokolov, Gleams Theatre director, is also a widely talented artist who draws, writes as well as being a gifted cameraman, director and photographer. Sokolova spoke with admiration about Sokolov's scope of ideas and philosophy. "That doesn't mean we don't argue," Sokolova said, "we will never stop arguing, but as an actor, I would never put myself in the hands of any other director."

As Sokolov describes his work as a director, "it’s my own way to express myself to the world.”

Nina Youssefi, who bought Diamond Bookstore in 2004 with her husband, has realized a dream through the partnership with Gleams Theatre. They pride themselves on being an independent bookstore that caters to a vast range of literary needs, at the same time placing emphasis on promoting the arts. "We don't turn anyone away," says Youssefi of the atmosphere of Diamond Bookstore.

Youssefi also said "music, art, theatre, poetry, they all go hand in hand." Of the collaboration of theatre and bookstore, she said "it's much more moving, interesting and stimulating in a smaller context."

Diamond Bookstore has seating for 21 audience members. Price of admission is $12, including refreshments. Performances begin this Friday, Sept. 7, along with the opening launch party at Diamond Bookstore, 5035 Sherbrooke St., W., corner Grey Avenue.

For reservations, call Diamond Bookstore at 514-481-3000; for more information on Gleams Theatre, call 514-934-0535