Contact:
Leanne Prain, SFU Woodward’s Cultural Program, 778.782.9223, lyp2@sfu.ca
Emily Ross, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, ebr@sfu.ca

The Secret Doctrine, an innovative new work starring Gabrielle Rose and written by Simon Fraser University associate professor and Director of the Praxis Centre for Screenwriters Patricia Gruben, will debut at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts from July 2-6, 2013.

An interdisciplinary and multimedia work, The Secret Doctrine is set at the height of British Rule in India and follows the true-life exploits of Helena Blavastsky, co-founder of the Theosophical Society and occultist.

Rose, a 30-year veteran of the Canadian stage, will be joined on stage by a number of Jessie-nominated actors including Simon Webb, Allan Morgan and Jeff Gladstone.

"It's a delight, especially with a brand new play, to be working with some of the best actors in the city," notes Gruben.

"It's a cast of ten, which is a real luxury -- a mix of established names and up-and-coming talent. And they're all contributing to the play's development in rehearsal.”

To further explore the subjects of the play, Gotfrit, Gruben, and Toronto-based designer Marian Wihak have created an interactive installation, The Veil of Nature, which is open for public viewing at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts from June 14 to July 16.

Exploring history, the New Age movement, Eastern philosophy, and political intrigue, The Secret Doctrine will run for four evening performances from July 2-5 at 8 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. matinee on July 6, in the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St. Vancouver. Ticket details and further information is available online.

Simon Fraser University is Canada's top-ranked comprehensive university and one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old. With campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, B.C., SFU engages actively with the community in its research and teaching, delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students, and has more than 120,000 alumni in 130 countries.

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