FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, B.C. (January 3, 2022)

Sound the Alarm: Music/Theatre Uses Podcast Platform to Alert Audiences to Social and Environmental Challenges


This past November
Sound the Alarm: Music/Theatre released a newly imagined hybrid podcast series

Sound the Alarm:  Theatre for the Ears
A Series of Immersive Audio-Dramas & Conversations

NOV 3:  Starman by Pippa Mackie
+ conversation episodes (Nov 10, 17)

DEC 1:  The Eternal Sailor by Derek Chan
+ conversation episodes (Dec 8, 15)


and next up

JAN 5:  Lost Soul Animal Rescue, by Gary Mok
+ conversation episodes (Jan 12, 19)

see full descriptions and artistic teams further below

Each immersive audio episode is an independent story told through the lens of three Canadian playwrights and are designed to 'sound an alarm' on various social and environmental issues.

Sound the Alarm: Music/Theatre brought together a formidable artistic team to create this series which leans into the resurgent popularity of audio-dramas, thanks in large part to podcasts.  “We collaborated with diverse artists and those directly affected by the issues, and by understanding and relaying their stories through Theatre for the Ears, we believe we will help generate thought and conversation,” said Sound the Alarm Artistic Director, Alan Corbishley.

Of the three audio-dramas , the first is “Starman” - a dark comedy by Vancouver artist Pippa Mackie.  As if the audience is listening in on his life, Daryl (aka “Starman”) takes us on a journey into a black hole of self-exile and alienation and realizes he may need to confront a part of himself he never knew existed.  Pippa Mackie, who is an award-winning playwright, actor, producer, and director, brings her varied and accomplished television and theatre experience and transforms this piece into one that aims to change the way listeners think about mental health and cancel culture. “I was particularly inspired by the galactic event of black holes swallowing stars and how these stars will suddenly and without ceremony, disappear. This phenomenon led me to think about loneliness and the concept of our digital selves versus our physical presence. I wanted to personify a star and follow its journey from sparkling to swallowing. ‘Starman’ aims to explore what happens when, instead of adapting and shifting, we retreat and hide,” said Mackie.  This episode is accompanied by two conversational episodes, both hosted by Alan Corbishley.  Each episode takes on a slightly different focus; the first explores the episode artistically with writer Pippa Mackie and with the help of registered counsellor Ashley Greensmyth, we explore the themes of mental health.  The second episode invites the entire male artistic team, along with registered counsellor Matt McLean, to discuss mental health through a male lens.

Next up, is “The Eternal Sailor” written by Derek Chan which launched December 1.  In this marine odyssey, our protagonist Jacy (them/them) wakes up from a concussion coma suffered during a 2020 Hong Kong protest crackdown.  Disoriented by the many years past, environmental chaos, a new viral threat, and a new regime, Jacy sets off to track down their beloved partner Alexis (they/them).  With nothing more than a tape recorder and a small boat, Jacy must find their way from Hong Kong to Vancouver.  Derek Chan -- a playwright, director, performer, translator, and producer – lends his personal experience of growing up in colonial Hong Kong and living in Vancouver to the story and calls out our need to conserve our environment and to consider the fragility of democracy.  Due to the political sensitivity of this episode, much of our artistic team has chosen to remain anonymous.   This episode is accompanied with two conversations with Alan Corbishley, Derek Chan, and Director 'Lok Yu', who are joined by Dr. Derek Turner to discuss the environmental themes, and with guest Dr. Miu Chung Yan to help us contextualize the complexities of Hong Kong.

Finally, “Lost Soul Animal Rescue” written by Gary Mok, appeals to audiences young and old and is released January 5.  This unique and short journey is centered around Chinese ghost stories and the cultural virtue of filial piety (duty to ancestors).  Instead of making family the centre of the audio-drama, Gary creatively makes our wildlife the ghosts which helps us question our duty to nature and to the wellbeing of wildlife.  With award winning film director Karen Lam at the helm, this episode experiments with binaural sound design where the listener plays the lead character - a Park Ranger, who is tasked to help recently lost animals find their way.  This episode is accompanied by two conversational episodes with host Alan Corbishley;  the first features a unique guest, professional animal communicator Tracy Pierce, and actor Elfina Luk (plays Dawn) who curiously enough also shares this powerful talent with animals.  The second episode will feature writer Gary Mok, director Karen Lam and guest Dr. Alison Bailey who will help us explore the virtue of filial piety.


 “As always, Sound the Alarm:  Music/Theatre is privileged to be able to use our platform, in this case an audio-drama podcast, to 'sound an alarm' on global concerns.  Hopefully we can all take a moment to listen, and then, play our parts in helping to better the world”  said Corbishley.

For more information:
Sound the Alarm:  Theatre for the Ears

Theatre for the Ears artistic teams (see below as well)

About Sound the Alarm: Music/Theatre


Interviews are available by contacting 
Sarah Belleville
[email protected]