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Quixsand

Quixsand weaves elements of Cervantes' Don Quixote with a true story from the rich and romantic history of the Toronto Islands, about the remains of a 40-foot wooden ship that lie submerged off Algonquin Island. The Baltic Belle carries six men and one woman fleeing Estonia across the Atlantic Ocean to South America. Quixsand tells the story of an odd, eccentrically-clad old woman who comes in search of the Baltic Belle; she is Belladonna, the Estonian-born nurse who makes the ocean crossing (Bie Engelen).

Accompanied by a Sancho Panza-like companion (Lisa Pijuan), she enlists the assistance of a group of wayward teens to salvage the ship so she can complete her life's journey. Quixsand navigates the uncharted waters and treacherous shoals of the teenagers' first uncertain excursions towards adulthood and Belladonna's quest for the ship that would carry her on her final voyage home.

Directed by Anne Barber
Visual design by Brad Harley
Musical direction by Chris Wilson
Lighting design/technical direction by Andy Moro


Quixsand was performed by a large team of professional artists with Toronto Island community members.

Reviews of Quixsand

Shadowland thanks David Smiley for the photographs.


 

 

 

See the video, click here:


 

Shadowland is grateful to the following organisations for their support:

Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council, Toronto Public Health Drug Prevention Community Investment Program,
Theatre Ontario's Youth Theatre Training Program funded by the Ontario Arts Council, St. Andrew-by-the-Lake Anglican Church.
Many thanks to our numerous individual donors and supporters, especially from
the Toronto Island community.
Web design and maintenance by Baye Hunter www.bayehunter.com.

Thank you to all the photographers who contributed to this site especially Gera Dillon, David Smiley and Robert Bernecky.