Just Across the Causeway by Natalia Bushnik, follows four sisters growing up on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, using storybook-inspired, choral narration to explore their complicated relationships to their smalltown, their grieving mother, and to each other. The show features original music composed by Toronto-based artist, Kathleen Welch.
Production Photos, Drayton Arms Theatre, November 14th, 2021
Photos by Amelia Oliva
Creative Team
Natalia Bushnik, Playwright
Natalia (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work often examines morally grey territories that unnerve audience members in their complicity. She is co-founder of Kairos Theatre; their show, The Bathtub Girls, was nominated for the Dora Mavor Moore Award for 'Outstanding New Play’, and archival footage of Natalia's solo show, Maybelle’s Guide to Maintaining Perfection, has been analyzed by psychotherapy groups researching personality disorders in Hamilton, Ontario. During the pandemic, she adapted her script, Just Across the Causeway, into a radio play, through the support of the National Theatre School's #ArtApart Program, the Toronto Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts. She can't wait for Causeway to be brought to life by the Little Lion Team!
Biz Lyon, Director
Biz Lyon is an actor and director based in Central London. Originally from Kentucky, Biz has studied at The Juilliard School and The New School in New York City, and recently received her MFA in acting from East 15 Acting School in London, UK. Biz has lived and worked in New York City, Los Angeles, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina. She most recently appeared as Olivia in Little Lion Theatre Company’s adaptation of Twelfth Night, titled ‘What You Will' at the Tea House Theatre in Vauxhall. She has also played Hovstad in 'An Enemy of the People' at the Bridewell Theatre, Marlene in 'Top Girls’ with East 15 Acting School, and starred in the one woman show ‘A World Kicked To Pieces’ at the Clayton Centre. Her directing credits include 'Love's Labours Lost,' 'Crimes of the Heart,' and 'Tobacco Road,’ which was produced in Los Angeles.
Cast
Jessamy James, Sheryl
Jessamy is thrilled to be performing in Just Across the Causeway. She loves to explore new work and discover exciting new writers. Previous credits include Joffrey! (Quintuple L: 2020), Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bowler Crab: 2019), A Christmas Carol (Chapterhouse: 2018), Journey to the Centre of the Earth (Strange Fascination: 2018), In Search of Myself (Distracting Cats: 2018), Macbeth (East London Shakespeare Company: 2017) and Against All Odds (The London Theatre: 2016).
May Royer, Fran
May Royer is a French actress based in London, UK. She trained and worked on stage and on screen in Paris for several years before moving to England in 2018, where she graduated from the MA Acting at East 15 Acting School in 2019. Among the parts that she enjoyed playing the most are Masha in Three Sisters (Paris, dir. Kenza Jernite, 2015), Varya in Summerfolk (Corbett Theatre, dir. Robin Sneller, 2019), Helena in All’s Well That Ends Well (East 15-Shakespeare’s Globe, dir. Brendan O’Hea, 2018), Rosaura in Pasolini’s Calderòn (Paris, dir. Adèle Yon-Araud, 2015). She has been working this summer on Shakespeare’s Joan of Arc (Henri VI Part 1) with director Simon Godwin. She speaks English, French and Italian. She is represented by Mrs Jordan Associates.
Candice Miller, Martha
Growing up in Jersey, Candice was a singer-songwriter performing her original songs and covers at local gigs. She started her Musical Theatre training at CPA Studios before completing her training at the prestigious London School of Musical Theatre. Candice is a triple threat performer as well as an Actor-Musician playing the drums, Guitar, Piano and Ukulele . Her credits include work for Channel Four, Honk!, Lend Me a Tenor (Bridewell Theatre) and Twelfth Night (Teahouse Theatre). She’s also a trained 200hr yoga instructor and loves to teach and practice in her spare time.
Shu-Wen Tung, Helen
Shu-Wen Tung is Taiwanese, born and raised in Taipei. She is a 2020 graduate from the East 15 Acting School MFA Acting International course and is currently represented by Nancy Hudson. She is keen on exploring and embracing cultural diversity while continuously cultivating her acting skills for delivering untold stories.