The Friendly Spike Theatre Band
Compehensive Seasonal Listing, : 1989-present
1989 – The Woolgatherer, a play by Wm Mastrosimone, is about a diametrically opposed couple attempting to get along. Directed by Miles Cohen, features Ruth Stackhouse and Ken Innes, Vancouver Fringe (Sept), Liberty Street Theatre /Toronto (Nov/Dec): Funded by Theatre Angels.
1990 – March Festival of the Arts, w. Mixed Company, Annex Theatre, produced by Ken Innes, (March). A cabaret series featuring a variety of performing arts. : Funded by Mixed Company. Gods of The City a play by David Type, about social isolation, directed by Miles Cohen, Toronto Fringe Festival (July): Funded by Theatre Angels. Toronto Writers…Right On!, a literary festival featuring a wide ranger of writing styles, produced by Ruth Stackhouse, Ken Innes and Kat Mullaly,The Poor Alex Theatre (Sept): Funded by Theatre Angels and Provincial Ministry of Cultural Affairs (defunct).
1991 – It’s Happening, a fundraising cabaret, Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (May) Rochdale Rising a play development workshop, play by Ken Innes, music by Ken Innes and Mark Johnson, directed by Ken Innes, with input from Miles Cohen, produced by Ruth Stackhouse, Workman Theatre (Sept): Funded by Theatre Angels and Toronto Arts Council/theatre.
1992 – ROCHDALE, A Multi Media Historical Play, about the alternative college in Toronto -1968-75, by Ken Innes, music by Ken Innes and Mark Johnson, directed by Ken Innes, researchers Ken Innes, Miles Cohen, Ruth Stackhouse, produced by Ruth Stackhouse, Poor Alex Theatre (Sept) Held over at Tarragon Theatre (Oct): Funded by Theatre Angels, Toronto Arts Council/theatre, and Ontario Arts Council/theatre, . Spa, a play by Glen Christie w. Developing writer’s program, Fringe of Toronto/Annex Theatre (July): funded by Theatre Angels.
1993 –Marplot Conspiracy, a fundraising Event, Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (May), Marked, Living With A Stigma, Public Workshop Production about a woman’s journey through the psychiatric system, fiction based on actual account, play by Ken Innes, music by Ken Innes and Bill Yurick, directed by Ken Innes, with input from Miles Cohen, researched by Ruth Ruth, Miles Cohen, Ken Innes, produced by Ruth Ruth (Sept): funded by Theatre Angels and Toronto Arts Council.
1994 – Marked, Living With A Stigma, a woman’s journey through the psychiatric system, fiction based on actual account, main-stage play by Ken Innes, music by Ken Innes and Bill Yurick directed by Ken Innes, w. Input from Miles Cohen, researched by Ruth Ruth, Miles Cohen, Ken Innes. produced by Ruth Ruth, Poor Alex Theatre (Jan): Funded by Theatre Angels, Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council. The Mysteries, a play by Rosalba Martinni, directed by Miles Cohen, Fringe of Toronto/Annex Theatre (July): funded by Theatre Angels
1995 – Still Marked Demonstration, features remount of Marked, Living With A Stigma, and Unity Cabaret (presents performances and current events from psychiatric/consumer survivor community)– Symptom Hall, (May) Marked Concert w/ Full Circle, produced by Ken Innes (Sept): funded by Theatre Angels, Toronto Arts Council, Federal Ministry Ministry of Cultural Affairs (defunct)
1996 – Marked, Living With A Stigma, feature film adaptation of play about a woman’s journey through the psychiatric system –consulting director Carl Bessai, Music:Roger Ellis release – Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (July) I Will Not Fall – Francine Tardif Nicholas, about wife assault and family violence, based on true story of Francine Tardiff Nicholas, survivor activist, Public Workshop, play by Ken Innes, music Ken Innes and Mark Liddall, directed by Ken Innes, produced by Ruth Ruth: Symptom Hall (Oct): funded by: The Theatre Angels, The Trillium Foundation and Human Resources Canada
1997 – I Will Not Fall – Francine Tardif Nicholas, about wife assault and family violence, based on true story of Francine Nicholas, survivor/activist, main-stage play by Ken Innes, music by Ken Innes and Mark Liddall, directed by Ken Innes, produced by Ruth Ruth, Theatre Centre, (April) Funded by Theatre Angels, Toronto Arts Council, Laidlaw Foundation and Canada Council for The Arts. I Will Not Fall – CD music by Ken Innes and Mark Liddall, produced by Mark Liddall (Oct), -Play Development w. Puzzle Factory Theatre Players presenting Psychiatric Patient Histories: researched by Geoffrey Reaume, directed by Ruth Ruth (Oct)
1998 – Three Sisters – a festival workshops new works by playwrights: Kristen Schiner, Corrina Hodgson, and Marlene Charney’s Father and Daughter, a play based on her experiences as a child of a World War Two Holocaust Survivor. Also, features Perspectives, psychiatric patient histories by Puzzle Factory Friendly Spike Collective, and music by Roger Ellis, produced by Ruth Ruth, The Theatre Centre (June)
1999 – Animal Court, a play about respecting other than human animals, by Ken Innes, music by Ken Innes and Bill Yurick, Directed by Ken Innes, local school tour (Spring), Angels of 999, psychiatric patient’s history at The Toronto Hospital for the Insane, workshop Production, play by Geoffrey Reaume, with Ruth Ruth and Ken Innes, directed by Ruth Ruth, The Theatre Centre (Sept)
2000 – Angels of 999, Psychiatric Patient’s History at the Toronto Hospital for the Insane, main-stage play by Geoffrey Reaume w. Ruth Ruth and Ken Innes, directed by Ruth Ruth with input from Ken Innes and Lisa Soroka,(April) Angels of 999 – tours to Bethesda, Dis Maryland – (June), Disability Culture Night, School of Disability Studies, Ryerson University (July), Father and Daughter, a play by Marlene Charney w/Ruth Ruth and Ken Innes, directed by Ruth Ruth w. Ken Innes, Free Times Cafe, (Oct)
2001 –The Edmond Yu Project a play about police brutality and homelessness, by Ken Innes, w. Don Weitz and Friendly Spike Collective AND The Girls of Grandview, a bout institutional abuse at The Grandview Training School for Girls, workshop production – Workman Theatre (July), The Coffee Cabaret, a play development program w. Houselink/Friendly Spike Collective, directed by Ruth Ruth, Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (Oct), The Mayor’s Overcoat, Street Theatre by Friendly Spike Collective, directed by Ruth Ruth St. Lawrence, Market (Nov), St. Lawrence Hall (Dec)
2002 – The We Made It Variety Show, a play development program w. Houselink/Friendly Spike Collective, directed by Ruth Ruth, Second City Theatre (Jan) The Girls of Grandview, about institutional abuse at The Grandview Training School for Girls, play by Ruth Ruth, Ken Innes, Liza Soroka, with Friendly Spike Collective, directed by Ruth Ruth w. Ken Innes and Lisa Soroka. The Tarragon Extra Space (July), Father and Daughter, remount, by Marlene Charney, w. Ruth Ruth and Ken Innes, directed by Ken Innes, Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (Oct)
2003 – The Home Channel, a play development Program with Houselink/Friendly Spike Collective, Tours to Woodstock Ontario, (Feb) A Common Cause, Part One, a collectively developed play based on Mel Starkman’s Psychiatric Review Board Hearing, directed by Ruth Ruth, Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (April), Mad/Psychiatric Survivor Pride, Community Festival, w. Parkdale Community Legal Services, Toronto City Hall, and various venues in Parkdale (July/Sept)
2004 – The Front Row, a play development program with Houselink/Friendly Spike Collective, Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (May), A Common Cause Part Two, a collectively developed play continues with Starkman’s journey, directed by Ruth Ruth (July). Mad/Psychiatric Survivor Pride Community Festival, w. Parkdale Community Legal Services, various venues, Parkdale (July/Sept)
TEACH (theatre-education-activism-changes-humanity), play development at Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre, presented at Dec 6 Memorial/May Robinson Auditorium, and United Church/Mississauga
2005 – Mish Mash, focuses on an AA meeting, play developed by Paul O’Neil w. Ruth Ruth, Ken Innes, and Houselink/Friendly Spike Collective (May), Human Rights Matter, a collectively developed play, based on human rights cases, directed by Ruth Ruth Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (July), Mad/Psychiatric Survivor Pride, Community Festival w/ Parkdale Community legal Services (July/Sept), Tragic Necessities, by Steve Mann, Play reading, Friendly Spike Warehouse Theatre (Nov), My Sister’s Keeper, December 6tg memorial event, produced by Ruth Ruth, Ryerson U. (Dec)
2006 – The Places We Share, a collectively developed play, about arranged marriage, directed by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, The Alchemy Theatre (July), Mad/Psychiatric Survivor Pride, Community Festival, Friendly Spike w. Parkdale Community Legal Services (July/Sept)
2007 –Hope For Change, A poetry booklet by Mel Starkman, edited by Sylvia Kendall, launched at 6 St. Joseph (May) Mad Pride Bed Push, a parade and community festival, w. Parkdale Community Legal Services (July), Psychiatric Survivor Pride Weekend, Features remount of Edmond Yu Project, directed by Ken Innes, Parkdale Library (Sept)
2008 – Tied Together, A Mad People’s History Play, by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, tours to Vancouver (May), presented at May Robinson Auditorium (July), Mad Pride Bed Push and Events, Community Festival, w. Parkdale Community Legal Services. (July)
2009 – Moving To My Own Beat, Collectively developed play, May Robinson Auditorium, directed by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, guest director Honey Novick (July) Mad Pride Week (bed push and events), assorted venue/Parkdale) w. Parkdale Community Legal Services (July), Halloween Cabaret, Community event, May Robinson Auditorium (Oct), Holiday at the Movies: features films– Mad Pride Bed Push Parade and Marked, Living with a Stigma, May Robinson Auditorium, Tor, (Dec).
2010 – The Dega and the Dalbasid, Play creation program w. Friendly Spike Collective (July), Mad Pride Week, w. Bed Push and community events, w. Parkdale Community Legal Services (July), Focusing On Our Journey – Focus group of actors discuss creative development w. Friendly Spike (Oct)
2011 – The Walls Are Alive With The Sounds of Mad People – lively theatrical tour, by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, Friendly Spike Collective w. Input from Geoffrey Reaume. Honey Novick, and Mel Starkman, Jane’s Walk (May), Mad Pride Week (July), Mad Pride Culture Night, May Robinson Auditorium (July)
2012 – The Walls Are Alive With The Sounds of Mad People – lively tour continues at Jane’s Walk (May), Mad Pride Week (July), Mad Pride Culture Night (July), additional play creation programming at May Robinson Auditorium (Mar-July)
2013 – The Walls Are Alive With The Sounds of Mad People – lively tour continues at Jane’s Walk, –
Mad Pride Week (July), Mad Pride Culture Night /Wrestling With Fear, by Henrik Kartna/dramaturge
Ruth Ruth Stackhouse (July), Additional play creation programming at May Robinson Auditorium (Mar-July)
2014 – The Walls Are Alive With The Sounds of Mad People – lively tour continues at Jane’s Walk, Mad Pride Week (July), Mad Pride Culture Night, Additional play creation programming at May Robinson Auditorium (Mar-July)
2015 – Not The Same Old Story–Alter narratives by the Friendly Spike Theatre Band with guest artists Rachel Gorman, Kim Kilpatrick and Alan Shain. A ten week creative development program, hard copy scrap book, edited by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, Honey Novick and Heinz Klein Forward by Geoffrey Reaume, May Robinson Auditorium (July – Sept)
2016 – What’s Next?…The Big C, by Henrik Kartna, dramaturge by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, directed by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, w. Honey Novick and Heinz Klein (July), Play development – January-June at Theatre Office and May Robinson Auditorium
2017 – Madly, I’m Your Fan, Poetry event and tribute to the late Leonard Cohen, features Honey Novick, bill bissett, Pierre Tetraut and others, Mad Pride Event, produced by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse. May Robinson Auditorium (July), Additional play development at May Robinson Auditorium: May/June
2018 – Just Us, Poetry development program led by Honey Novick, features bill bissett, Helen Posno, and Naomi Laufer, Mad Pride Event, produced by Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, May Robinson Auditorium, Tor, (July)
2019 – I’M MAD ( I Matter, Making a Difference): An epic tone poem written by Honey Novick, detailing the history of The Friendly Spike Theatre Band. First presented as a work in progress at OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) July, 2019.
2020.21 – I’M MAD (I Matter Making A Difference) video production, and art book publication
2021 – An Evening of Poetry w. Honey Novick. A virtual event dedicated to sharing of poetry and stories.
2022 – POEMDEMIC!, a collection of 45 poems by a diverse group of authors, based on the lived experience of the COVID 19 Pandemic of 2020/21, Published by The Secret Handshake
2022 – Remembering Friends, A virtual event dedicated to sharing poems, stories and memories about those who have gone before us.
2022– Readings From POEMDEMIC! A virtual event featuring a diverse group of poets (September)
2023 – Writing Together, a virtual workshop dedicated to creating a collectively written poem for the anthology Quae Nocent Docent ( what hurts teaches). Hosted by Sarah Wells, led by Honey Novick,produced by Ruth (Ruth) Stackhouse – March
2023 – Paying Homage, a virtual gathering, dedicated to those who Inspire us to do the work we do. Hosted by Sarah Wells featuring Honey Novick, Irit Shimrat, Lisa Weitz, Catherine O’Donnell, Marlene Charney, Shirley Gillett and Ruth (Ruth) Stackhouse ‘ July
Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 -(Readings from ‘Quae Nocent Docent’. A recent publication by Friendly Spike with Secret Handshake Gallery. Quae Nocent Docent is a collection of poems and literary works by members and affiliates of The Friendly Spike Theatre Band. Poets who were present, presented their poems in this reading. Quae Nocent Docent is Spanish for – what hurts-teaches. The poems and musings are based around this topic.)
Thursday, December 21st, 2023 -(‘Holiday Open Mic’. A circle of sharing and caring before the holidays. A general open mic for those who participated. Many of whom shared stories about our beloved Ruth (Ruth) Stackhouse.)
Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 -(‘For Love of Ruth’. A virtual memoir production in memory of (Ruth) Ruth Stackhouse. Led by Sarah Wells and co-hosted by Honey Novick.)
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 -(‘Literary Circle’. An evening lead by Honey Novick. Creative discussion and writing techniques were established.)
Saturday, June 15th, 2024 -(‘Community BBQ’.)
Thursday, July 11th, 2024 -(‘Mad Pride Celebration’. A virtual gathering, featuring social activist David Oaks. Stories and ideas were discussed and conversed around the ideal of mental health.)
Wednesday, August 28th, 2024 -(‘Housing Crisis Discussion’. In conjunction with Lead Now Canada.)
Thursday, October 26th, 2024 -(‘Poster the Nation’. Members of Friendly Spike distributed flyers around the local communities, in hopes to provoke more awareness about the housing crisis in Toronto, and surrounding suburbs.)
Thursday, October 31st, 2024 -(‘A night of Self-Expression, read what you want’. General open mic event that was hosted by Sarah Wells virtually on Zoom meeting.)
Thursday, December 19th, 2024 -(‘Holiday Open Mic’. During the holidays, members and artists joined in a memorable evening of poetry and life lessons.)
Thursday, March 27th, 2025 -(‘March-ing Forward’. A virtual creative writing workshop, led by artist in residence, Honey Novick.)
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