Bremen Town

“There’s an acting master class onstage at Tarragon Theatre … in Gregory Prest’s magnificent tragicomedy Bremen Town, performances so layered and deeply lived-in that the adjective profound seems insufficient.”

Toronto Star
“What makes the story so special is the care with which it’s told – the equal amounts of levity and heft that coincide at the centre of Frau Esel’s spirit, and the design flourishes that add timeless whimsy to Prest’s heady atmosphere.”

Globe and Mail
“Prest’s play is a hard-hitting meditation on aging and loss wrapped in an amiable fable … this tight, heartbreaking production might inspire you to call your grandparents and tell them that they matter.”

BroadwayWorld
“A compelling, standing-ovation-worthy performance, slickly directed”

Our Theatre Voice

Tarragon Theatre

Written and Directed by Gregory Prest

Bremen Town is a rural folk tragicomedy about what happens when we outlive our use.

After forty-five years of hard work and dedication, Frau Esel, the longest serving housekeeper of Völksenhaus, has been fired and sent out to pasture. In a rage, she sets out on a winding journey to Bremen to live with her estranged son.

Cast: Tatjana Cornij, Oliver Dennis, Farhang Ghajar, Veronica Hortiguela, Dan Mousseau, Sheila McCarthy, Nancy Palk, William Webster. Composer: Tatjana Cornij. Set & Costume Designer: Nancy Anne Perrin. Lighting Designer: Logan Raju Cracknell. Magic Consultant: Peter Fernandes. Fight Director: Jeremy Hutton. Alexander Coach: Kelly McEvenue. Directing Intern: Hyebin Lee. Stage Management: Arwen McDonell, Jenna Borsato. Photos by Jae Yang.

“There’s an acting master class onstage at Tarragon Theatre … in Gregory Prest’s magnificent tragicomedy Bremen Town, performances so layered and deeply lived-in that the adjective profound seems insufficient.”

“What makes the story so special is the care with which it’s told – the equal amounts of levity and heft that coincide at the centre of Frau Esel’s spirit, and the design flourishes that add timeless whimsy to Prest’s heady atmosphere.”

“Prest’s play is a hard-hitting meditation on aging and loss wrapped in an amiable fable … this tight, heartbreaking production might inspire you to call your grandparents and tell them that they matter.”

“A compelling, standing-ovation-worthy performance, slickly directed”

Tarragon Theatre

Written and Directed by Gregory Prest

Bremen Town is a rural folk tragicomedy about what happens when we outlive our use.

After forty-five years of hard work and dedication, Frau Esel, the longest serving housekeeper of Völksenhaus, has been fired and sent out to pasture. In a rage, she sets out on a winding journey to Bremen to live with her estranged son.

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