GIRLS UNWANTED

THE TORONTO STAR 3.5 (out of 4) ➤ 'But one thing is for sure: the King Black Box Theatre, presenting just its second play in this new venue, is most definitely not a company to ignore. And if its latest production is any indication, the city’s theatre sector has a formidable new player on the scene. '

'You know that a play and production are powerful when you realize you’ll probably never be able to walk through a neighbourhood again without thinking about its characters.' Glenn Sumi (Rating: ✭✭✭✭)

GIRLS UNWANTED received its Toronto premiere at The King Black Box (Ziggy Schulting, Artistic Director; Sophie Ann Rooney, Executive Director) on September 5th, 2024.

The production was directed by George F. Walker, with production design by Sophie Ann Rooney and costume design by Madison Caan. The production Assistant Director and Stage Manager was Aurora McClennan with Production Manager Grisha Pasternak, and Marketing Manager Sean Irvine.

The cast was as follows:
Alexandra Floras-Matic as Kat
Ziggy Schulting as Hanna
Marline Yan as Ash
L.A. Sweeney as Maddy
Louis Akins as Max

GIRLS UNWANTED centres around the lives of three young women who struggle to co-exist in the confines of an inner city halfway house. Under the supervision of a woman with issues all her own, their lives begin to further unravel when a distant relative inexplicably shows up and they find themselves at the centre of a murder investigation. From the heart and mind of one of Canada’s most prolific and raw playwrights, George F. Walker, The King Black Box invites you to explore what can be discovered when we shine the light on the darkest parts of our city and ourselves.

'Ultimately, that much of it works so well is because of Sophie Ann Rooney’s exquisitely detailed production designs, which extend into the audience, making us feel as if we are inside this rooming house with Kat, Hanna and Ash.' Joshua Chong is a Toronto-based culture reporter for the Star. Follow him on X: @joshualdwchong.