Age of Arousal set to titillate theatre-goers

It’s 1885, and the typewriter is invented, a population imbalance leaves London flooded with half a million more women than men and an escalating suffrage movement has ushered in a rip-roaring New Age where virtue is barely holding down its petticoats!

Featuring a stellar cast that includes some of Montreal’s most sought-after actresses, this tale of passion, confusion and courage “finds the perfect balance between intelligence and sensuality” (FFWD Weekly, Calgary). Mary Barfoot (Clare Coulter), an ex-militant suffragette, runs a school for secretaries with her beloved Rhoda (Alison Darcy). The school’s invasion by three spinster sisters (Diana Fajrajsl, Gemma

James-Smith and Leni Parker) and a charismatic cad named Everard (Julian Casey), creates a catalyst for political, sexual and emotional explosion.

Ideas and libidos clash for dominance, as each character confronts the meaning of revolutionary courage. Sexy, fresh, and vibrantly funny, Age of Arousal is a modern look at forbidden Victorian desires on the brink of explosion. "…one of Canada’s originals, known not only for the quality of her work, but for the sheer range of her career" (Maclean’s Magazine), playwright and actress, Linda Griffiths is the winner of five Dora Mavor Moore awards, a Gemini award, two Chalmer’s awards, the Quizanne International Festival Award for Jessica, and Los Angeles’ A.G.A. Award for her performance in John Sayles’ film Liana. She has twice been nominated for the Governor General’s Award for playwriting. Her plays include, Alien Creature: a visitation from Gwendolyn MacEwen, The Darling Family, Maggie and Pierre and The Duchess: a.k.a. Wallis Simpson, among others.

Centaur’s production is directed by Sarah Garton Stanley, whose Centaur credits include Forever Yours, Marie-Lou and Glorious! with assistant director Caitlin Murphy. The period set and Costumes are designed by Michael Eagan and illuminated by lighting Designer Leigh Ann Vardy. Age of Arousal is stage managed by Merissa Tordjman with assistant Sarah-Marie Langlois. <@Ri>The Age of Arousal will be playing at the Centaur Theatre (453 St François-Xavier

Old Montreal)from March 24- April 19. Box office:(514) 288-3161.<@$p>