A stage at the edge
of the world

SaBooge is an international theatre collective that just happens to call Montreal home. That's why local audiences are getting the first look this weekend at the company's latest creation, Fathom. Like their previous critically acclaimed piece, Hatched, Fathom features five LeCoq-trained actors in multiple roles in a highly visual staging. Set in the 19th century, Fathom is the story of a boy with a bizarre talent who, with his convict mother, journeys from Van Diemen's Land at the edge of the discovered world to London's underbelly and beyond. This company's haunting work has to be seen to be believed. After this first full-length public performance, Fathom goes on tour but is scheduled to return in August as part of Gravy Bath's New Classical Theatre Festival.

Fathom plays today through March 20 at 8 p.m. at Calixa-Lavallée Theatre (3819 Calixa-Lavallée). Tickets at the door. For more info, go to www.sabooge.org. » Amy Barratt

Soldiers of love

Juxtaposing sassy dragsters, sultry mamas and a WTC "Crash!" in comix, four local artists are planting sex bombs in all the weirdest places. Where Are the Weapons of Massive Seduction, at Galerie Artus (988 Rachel E., 523-4179) until March 27, joins the work of Marc-André Jutras, Hermès, Adele Zanni and Alain Bonnes, an eclectic array of art bent on seducing the public with funny, sensual and macabre eye candy.

"The title is a jab at all the 'bad guy' propaganda we've been hearing since the 11th of September, but we're commenting on other seductive powers too," says Zanni, whose paintings feature very rotund, voluptuous ladies. Meanwhile, Alain Bonnes' photos of Hermès twist that feminine warmth into a pretzel, Hermès himself paints homoerotic guys and glamorous activist gals, and Jutras mixes media into naïve culture-clash mash-ups.

"Our styles are so different, with different levels of irony and humour and inversion," says Zanni, "but we've got great chemistry." » Lorraine Carpenter

Black theatre poet

Reg E. Gaines recognizes the connection between poetry and theatre. "At the Nuyorican Poets Café, I learned that we're close to Shakespeare - he wrote his work as public utterance, to be said aloud," Gaines explains. Nominated for a Grammy and a couple of Tonys for Bring In Da Noise Bring In Da Funk, he's bringing his latest work to the Black Theatre Workshop for a reading this Friday. "'Tiers' is about the inability of black men, raised in urban terrorist neighbourhoods, to express love for one another with words." March 19, 7:30 p.m. at the MAI (3680 Jeanne-Mance), $7. Gaines will also drop some verse Sunday at Words and Music at the Casa, hosted this month by Paula Belina. March 21, 9 p.m., 4873 St-Laurent, $5. » Vincent Tinguely

Dynamic duos

"Whenever there are two people on stage, a relationship develops, and these two people make the smallest society possible," explains Mark Shaub, long-time dancer with La Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault. He's talking about their latest production Les Petites Sociétés, which features duets from Perreault's impressive 25-year repertoire and runs from March 24 to April 1 at Place des Arts.

The work will be of special interest to Perreault fans because it is the last choreography he created before his death in 2002. Shaub says Perreault had a knack for transporting dancers and audiences into his creations. "His work created such another universe, and when you're there, you're completely in it."

And for those who really want to take the leap into Perreault's world, sign up for one of the two workshops where spectators can learn bits of his choreography pre-show (Mar. 25 and Apr. 1). For workshop details and ticket info, call 842-2112. » Marites Carino

Is it Art?

WHAT'S THAT ON YOUR FINGER? Why it's silver, tucked into the gauze of one of the most groundbreaking bandage concepts in recent history! Elastoplast, purveyors of the spray-on bandage reviewed here last week, has tapped into a healing concept that can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who stored wine in silver urns to prevent spoilage. The element is a popular food-poisoning antidote, is used in 70 per cent of burn centres and quite simply kicks microbe ass. Anyway, Elastoplast's bandages release silver ion into the wound fluid, apparently reducing infection risks and accelerating healing. It's also the perfect poor man's wedding ring, $5.99 in drugstores everywhere.

ArtsHole

ANIMA FARM: International indie and pro CG animators vie for prizes at Anima 04, where screenings, VJ jams and workshops unfold at SAT from March 20-21, from 10 a.m. to midnight. • HOMO HERO? Ireland's Sir Roger Casement was knighted for philanthropy, executed for treason and renowned for constant cruising. McGill prof Brian Lewis discusses ye olde gay icon at the Leacock Building (855 Sherbrooke W., Rm. 26) on Friday, March 19, 8 p.m., $10. • QUEER COMIX: Leanne Franson (aka Bi-dike Liliane) launches her latest book of caustic funnies, Don't Be a Crotte, on Monday, March 22 at 2129 Mont-Royal E., 5-8 p.m.

ARTISTAT: Number of artists, artworks and dollars each piece costs at Observatoire 4's benefit party with funk reggae DJ Mossman on Saturday, March 20 (at 372 Ste-Catherine W., #426, where the art hangs till April 3): 99

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