Never The Last

Created by Christine Quintana and Molly Mackinnon

Delinquent Theatre

Never the Last follows the passionate relationship between Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté, one of the most innovative composers of early twentieth century Europe, and expressionist painter Walter Gramatté. The couple’s 10 years of marriage, marked by adventure, poverty, artistic strife, and tragedy, is captured in Eckhardt-Gramatté’s 10 rarely performed violin solos. Never The Last seamlessly blends classical violin performances, movement, and text to tell the heartbreaking story of two people in love, and the ever increasing space between them. How do you say what is impossible to say? What if you run out of time?

The show was workshopped with the support of the Banff Arts Centre, with an initial presentation at the rEvolver Festival and the Gabriola Theatre Festival in 2016. It was then further developed with assistance from the Anvil Theatre Centre, and Tarragon Theatre, before it’s full production at the Annex Theatre with the support of the city’s SeeMore Theatre residency in 2019.

AWARDS

WINNER - Significant Artistic Achievement – Small Theatre Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards

NOMINATED - Outstanding Production – Small Theatre Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards

NOMINATED - Outstanding Direction – Small Theatre Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards

Lincoln Kaye, Vancouver Observer,

Never the Last: a virtuosic séance

Coordinating the intricate clockwork of all these elements, director Laura McLean (co-founder, with Quintana, of Delinquent Theatre) delivers a highly stylized, intellectually challenging production that nevertheless sweeps us along on its emotional momentum.

Samuel Jing, Georgia Straight

Never the Last is a love letter to fine art, staged with great reverence to the original music and the woman who inspired it. Touching and nostalgic, Laura McLean’s production offers storytelling and music at its finest.

Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents

Struggling with their art, health, and some deep-seated issues from their individual pasts, there is an undeniable connection between the two. Wonderfully captured in the performances by Christine Quintana and Anton Lipovetsky, it is in the theatrical moments between them where Never The Last gets its heartbeat.

CHOREOGRAPHED BY Kayla Dunbar SET DESIGN BY Jenn Stewart COSTUME DESIGN BY Carmen Alatorre LIGHTING DESIGN BY Jill White PROJECTION DESIGN BY Joel Grinke SOUND DESIGN BY Nancy Tam STAGE MANAGEMENT BY Ingrid Turk PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT BY Conor Moore and Jamie Sweeney