Actress Alexis Gordon on taking Emma Donoghue’s ‘Room’ to the Mirvish Stage

The North American Premiere of a stage adaptation of author Emma Donoghue’s Room has opened at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. It runs through May 8th, 2022.

The production is based on the best-selling novel, which eventually became an Oscar, Canadian Screen Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA-winning film.

Room follows young mother Ma, and son Jack. Ma was kidnapped as a teenager and locked inside a purpose-built room in her kidnapper’s garden. It’s in this very complicated space that so much happens. Rape, birth, horror, hope, and even happiness. At 5, Jack knows nothing of the outside world. Ma and Jack play games as a way to pass time, educate, and give structure for a very limited existence; all while enduring their captor. But as time ticks away, the future looms, and a plan to escape Room is born.

The idea to turn this story into a stage production started in 2016. This adaptation of Room was given a new framework and mounted in London and Dublin and Scotland to critical acclaim. Its North American premiere was delayed but was finally able to be realized in time to welcome back theatre-goers to the Mirvish stage.

The all Canadian cast is led by award-winning actress Alexis Gordon. Her CV boasts a dozen appearances at Stratford, three at Shaw, spots in film and television, and engagements with Soulpepper, Nightwood, Theatre Passe Muraille, Factory, and Grand Theatre.

Alexis Gordon joined Oasis host Mark Wigmore in conversation.

For more information on Room, head to www.mirvish.com/shows/room

Watch the trailer for Mirvish’s production of Room below: