THREE MEN ON A BIKE

by Mark Brownell

Based on the writings of Jerome K. Jerome

Directed by Sue Miner

Assistant Directed by Alecia Pagnotta

Featuring Jack Copland, Azeem Nathoo, and Suchiththa Wickremesooriya

Designed by Ina Kerklaan and J. Rigzin Tute

Stage Managed by Jenna Borsato

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS 

Sue Miner (Director)

Originally from Montreal, Sue graduated from The National Theatre School Acting Section in 1983. She has directed at YPT, Puppetmongers, Canadian Stage and Theatre Aquarius, and recently directed Alice in Wonderland for Bad Hats Theatre/Soulpepper. Sue has garnered several Dora nominations and has enjoyed producing theatre with her husband Mark Brownell for Pea Green Theatre. Currently, Sue is the Program Coordinator of George Brown Theatre School. Sue lives in Toronto with Mark, their children Lily and Gavin, and cats Cecily and Ralph.

mark Brownell (playwright)

Mark is a Toronto-based playwright and librettist. Selected projects include Dragon’s Tale (Tapestry Opera/Soundstreams/Luminato), Iron Road (Tapestry Opera), The Weaving Maiden (Soundstreams), and Harmonious Interest (Victoria Symphony). Other selected work includes Monsieur d'Eon is a Woman (Pea Green Theatre Group/Buddies In Bad Times), The Martha Stewart Projects (Pea Green/Buddies in Bad Times), The Chevalier St. George (Tafelmusik), The Schoolyard Carmen (Shoestring Opera), and Three Men in a Boat (Pea Green Theatre Group). Mark is the recipient of a Dora Mavor Moore award, a Governor General's Award Nomination, the Maxim Mazumdar Play Competition Award and a Harold Independent Theatre Award. When not working in Theatre he enjoys sailing his beautiful pea green boat on Lake Ontario with his delightful partner Sue Miner and two wonderful children Lily and Gavin.

Azeem Nathoo (Jay)

Azeem is delighted to return to GFT to reprise his role as Jay for which he earned double nominations for the Broadway World Toronto Awards 2023. A graduate of LAMDA, he has worked on stage and screen in both the UK and Canada. During the pandemic he co-founded Phoenix Arts to provide Free Audition Clinics to artists in need and produced his first play 1184 which premiered in 2022 at Theatre Passe Muraille. He has also co-directed Shakespeare at George Brown College and this summer is partnering with Modern Times Stage Company to offer free artist workshops for newcomers and refugees.

Jack Copland (harris)

Jack is thrilled to be back on a bike with the talented team at the Guild Festival Theatre! A Toronto-based Dora nominated actor, his past credits include voice over work (Total Drama Island), repertory theatre (Theatre on the Ridge), independent theatre (Three Ordinary Men), network television (Murdoch Mysteries), and independent films (The Whipping Boy). Jack also writes and produces for the screen, and volunteers with Sprint Senior Care in Toronto. Graduate of the Ivey School of Business and the George Brown Theatre School. Online at jackcopland.com.

Suchiththa Wickremesooriya (George)

Gleefully returning back to the character of George, Suchiththa is a multi-disciplinary Sri Lankan/Canadian theatre artist, educator and arts-administrator. He has his hands in many different projects around the city and still continues to adore creating accessible outdoor theatre in the summer! Most recently, he had the opportunity to work on a brand new adaptation of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (TIFT) with an all-BIPOC cast and has also appeared in Jewelle Blackman's new show "Rooted" at Toronto Fringe 2024. He will be making his professional directorial debut at Theatre Passe Muraille next spring in a Deaf Theatre adaptation of "The Little Prince". Many thanks to his family for all their support!

Alecia Pagnotta (Assistant Director)

Alecia is a Toronto based director, producer, administrator, and performer. Working across the country some of her select credits include: Director – Light, Street Hamlet (Emergence Theatre); Assistant Director – The Red Priest (Guild Festival Theatre); Music Director – The Music Man, Newsies, and Descendants the Musical (Storybook Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Soup Can Theatre); Performer – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Dunes Summer Theatre); Sweet Charity, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, The Pirates of Penzance (The Freed Center), Antony and Cleopatra, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Primestock); It’s A Wonderful Life (Oil Lamp Theatre); Sleeping Beauty: A Traditional British Panto (Globus Theatre); Training: BFA in Musical Theatre – Ohio Northern University.

Jenna BorsatO (Stage Manager)

Jenna Borsato (she/her) is a 2018 graduate of TMU’s Performance Production Program.

Jenna has been a Stage Manager since 2015, and after a short hiatus she is so happy to be back doing what brings her the most joy. She is thrilled to be part of Three Men on a Bike and hopes you enjoy the show!

A special shout out to her love, Cass, for her consistent support and encouragement of Jenna’s return to Theatre. Headshot by the one and only Veronica Georgieva (www.veronicageorgieva.com).

ina kerklaan (producTion designer)

Ina has been involved in theatre costuming for more than 20 years. Working for companies including Canadian Stage, Young People’s Theatre, Soulpepper, Mirvish, the Shaw Festival, and the National Ballet to name a few.

She has been Head of Wardrobe for George Brown College for the last 10 years. In the last 3 years she has delighted in designing costumes as well. Productions she has designed include Metamorphosis, Paradise Lost, Corsican Complaint, Blood Wedding, and Engaged all for George Brown Theatre School.

Ina looks forward to her time working with the cast and crew of Three Men on a Bike for the Guild Festival Theatre.

j. Rigzin Tute (Music Director/Arranger)

Rigzin’s varied musical career includes teaching, composing, music directing, conducting, and more than 25 combined years as a music professor in the theatre schools at George Brown College and Ryerson University.  Rigzin thoroughly enjoyed last year’s GFT outing with the 3 Men On A Boat, and is thrilled to be back for this year’s biking tour. He also keeps busy teaching in the 50+ Program at the Chang School For Continuing Education (TMU), and for the Life-Institute. For additional variety, Rigzin creates bespoke wedding ceremonies as a provincially licensed wedding celebrant.

tobias bamford-harrington (montmorency)

Tobias Bamford-Harrington is thrilled to be returning to Guild Festival Theatre to revisit the iconic role of Montmorency.

Tobias found early fame as a puppy actor appearing in dog food commercials where his captivating presence made him the perfect ambassador, resonating with pet owners worldwide. His exceptional talents were quickly recognized and he was accepted into academy training at the Sorbonne. Under the tutelage of the finest teachers, he honed his skills in a wide range of disciplines, including dancing, acting, and even poetry recitation, with a specific major in "Zone of Silence".

In an unexpected twist, his fame reached new heights when he stole the show at Milan Fashion Week, strutting down the runway in custom-designed canine couture. Photographers and designers were enamored by his elegance, making him a sought-after icon in the fashion industry. Tobias comes from a long line of classical canine performers and he can trace his lineage to the original "Crab" in Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona. Since performing in Three Men in a Boat last year, Tobias has been branching out into the world of radio drama and is planning on launching his podcast "The Mongrel Chronicles" in the fall.

About Three Men on a Bike

They’re back! In this brilliant sequel to last summer’s hit Three Men in a Boat, Jay, George & Harris embark on an ill-fated cycling holiday in this comedic adventure about three mismatched friends navigating the open road and the absurdities of life. This laugh-out-loud comedy captures the spirit of friendship and adventure as our trio find themselves in one hilarious predicament after another, testing their patience, wit, and friendship.

Three Men on a Bike is a delightful and entertaining journey filled with witty banter, clever observations, and ridiculous mishaps. Award-winning writer & director team Mark Brownell & Sue Miner create a theatrical vision of Jerome K. Jerome’s satire that proves that sometimes the best way to navigate life is to embrace its absurdity.