Erin Shields and Maev Beaty
Montparnasse, currently playing at Theatre Passe Muraille, is a play that already involves plenty of nudity.
At tonight's performance, however, it's going involve more nudity than a week run of Hair.
That's because tonight is nudist night at the show about artists and their nude models in 1920s Paris. Creators Erin Shields and Maev Beaty have teamed up with the Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park for a special clothing-optional performance.
The naturist performance was being kept hush-hush, but, as it has approached, all has been revealed.
How will it work? Well, naturists will have to arrive clothed, but they can take their outfits off once they are in the theatre space. According to the Facebook group: "The lobby is a shared space and because of this people must remain clothed while in it. The bar is located in the theatre space, meaning refreshments and libations are available without leaving the theatre."
So you can have a tipple and buy a Kit-Kat while naked, but if you have to go to the bathroom, you'll need to put your pants back on.
This is the first I've heard of a theatre inviting naturists to a special performance and - while I'm not entirely sure of the legality of it - why the heck not? Good on the Theatre Passe Muraille for trying something new.
And yet, I do hope this doesn't catch on to the extent that other theatres follow (birthday) suit, for opening nights anyway. There are a few fellow critics I'm perfectly happy to never see in the buff, thank you very much.
J. Kelly Nestruck