Richard McMillan
in the 2004 Factory Theatre production

photo by Brian Quirt

Through the Eyes
by Don Druick

"As befits its baroque subject, Druick's script is vivid and delicate, a sensitive and sensuous piece of writing alive with colour and texture, its images polished like marble until they gleam. NNNN." – NOW Magazine

- 2005 Governor General's Award nominee

- Winner of 2003 Dora Award for Outstanding Performance

- Featured Production at 2004 Magnetic North Theatre Festival

- Published 2005 by DC Books, Montreal

This award-winning production stars Richard McMillan as an unnamed courtier in the palace of King Louis XIV of France, desperately trying to stay alive as he escorts the Italian sculptor Bernini through the passions and perils of the Sun King's court. Through the Eyes tells the story of Gianlorenzo Bernini's visit to France in 1665. The story is told by a courtier assigned to serve as Bernini's translator while the great artist sculpts a portrait of Louis. In a world where a casual glance or a careless remark can lead to death, the courtier steers Bernini through a maze of political intrigues and consoles him through his many disputes with the impetuous and wilful King.

With the actor playing a dozen roles and single-handedly taking us back to Baroque Paris, Through the Eyes is a play about seeing: about how a great artist offers a new way of looking at the world, and about how when we tell a story, we see new details and come to new conclusions about the story and our place within it.

After developing and premiering this gorgeous solo play in 1995, Nightswimming was thrilled that Factory Theatre remounted its 2003 production in 2004 prior to touring to the Magnetic North Theatre Festival and the Thousand Islands Playhouse.

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Production History

Factory Theatre, Toronto
- May 6 to June 6, 2004
- January 16 to February 9, 2003

Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Edmonton
- June 16 to 19, 2004

Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque
- June 24 to July 25, 2004

Directed by Brian Quirt
Featuring Richard McMillan
Design by Carolyn M. Smith and Paul Mathiesen
Assistant Director: Rebecca Picherack
Stage Manager: Kathryn Westoll
Associate Lighting Designer/Technical Director: Sarah-Jane Patterson

Richard McMillan received the Dora Award for Outstanding Performance, 2003; Brian Quirt was nominated for Outstanding Direction; Paul Mathiesen was nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design.

Premiered by Nightswimming at the Theatre Centre

October 12 to 29, 1995

Directed by Brian Quirt
Featuring Julian Richings
Design by Dany Lyne and Bonnie Beecher

Produced and Stage Managed by Naomi Campbell
Dany Lyne and Bonnie Beecher received Dora Award nominations for their superb work on this production.

View Production photos...

"Just watch and be dazzled."
- Toronto Star

"...brilliant...riveting"
- Edmonton Journal

"Seeing is believing."
- Eye Magazine

"Richard McMillan's performance...is one of those special marvels that exist only in the live theatre."
- Vue Magazine, Edmonton