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Giuseppe Condello’s The Immigrant is a dynamic corporeal mime piece that taps into both historic and modern-day issues of immigration. Condello, who immigrated to Canada from Italy in 1953, used his real-life experience in the creation of The Immigrant while also keeping current global issues in mind.

Condello spoke of The Immigrant coming to life as he began “realizing the difficulties that immigrants and refugees are having today, and every day,” noting that he was “quite taken by this.”

It was important for Condello to create a piece that was, “authentic in terms of historical background.” Condello tells his own personal history in the piece. He incorporates both spoken text and corporeal mime to show his father hard at work digging into the earth, and his mother working to wash clothes by hand and mend torn garments.

The experienced performer incorporates his extensive background in yoga, as well as his outstanding education with the National Theatre School of Canada and with the master and father of modern mime, Etienne Decroux into his performance.

“I want to tell this story and here was the opportunity thanks to SpringWorks,” noted Condello. Stratford holds a special place in Condello’s heart having previously performed with Stratford Festival Theatre. Factory163 will host Condello, who added that the rustic quality of the space lends itself well to his piece.

SpringWorks Festival will mark the debut performance of The Immigrant. Condello will perform The Immigrant Friday, May 13 at 2pm and 6pm, Saturday, May 14 at 6pm and Sunday, May 15 at 4pm. All performances will be at Factory163. Tickets available at the door or online at springworksfestival.ca.