Florence Foster Jenkins was the eccentric American woman who couldn't sing but who became a cult figure in the 1940's and ended up singing and filling up Carnegie Hall. She became known as the "soprano of the sliding scale". Singing joyously off-key, all the while believing that she had perfect pitch, Florence herself said, "The world first heard my voice in 1912, the year the Titanic went down."

Discovering in a car accident that she could hit F sharp several notes above high C, she continued to access the note onstage by striking her forehead abruptly in an instant-recall of the collision. And, unwittingly, adding some spice to the musical stew, Florence donned outlandish costumes that frequently threatened to upstage her already unforgettable vocal pyrotechnics.

People may say that I can't sing but no-one can ever say I didn't sing. - Florence Foster Jenkins

You won't want to miss Rosemary Dunsmore as she portrays the legendary "soprano of the sliding scale" in Centaur's production. Rosemary is one of Canada's most sought after actresses. She was last seen at Centaur in Long Day's Journey Into Night for which she was nominated for a Les Masques award for Best Actress and W;t for which she received a Les Masques for best Actress.. She has won numerous awards for her work on stage and film, commandeered classes at Equity Showcase Theatre and The National Theatre School and is currently Actor in Residence at The Canadian Film Centre. When asked what fascinates her most about the acting craft, Rosemary said "It is the exploration of the human spirit. And human behaviour-why we do the things that we do"¦I believe central to the process of acting is the word compassion." It is Rosemary's superlative approach and keen understanding that brings Florence Foster Jenkins spirit to life in GLORIOUS!

Peter Quilter's other work includes the pop musical Boyband (West End, South Africa, Netherlands), the musical The Canterville Ghost (which toured starring Ron Moody) and the all-female comedy Respecting Your Piers (which has dozens of productions every year). In 2006, his work will have been presented in Holland, Australia, Japan, Poland, Israel, the UK and the USA. He is also developing several TV projects. Peter lives in the Canary Islands, though he was born in England.

This enchanting comedy, directed by Sarah Stanley, director for over 20 years and Co-founder of Die In Debt Theatre (Toronto), The Baby Grand Theatre (Kingston), Women Making Scenes (Montreal) and former Artistic Director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, stars veteran Canadian actress Rosemary Dunsmore as Florence Foster Jenkins. The company also includes Keith Knight, former member of both Second City Mainstage Toronto and Shaw Festival with a vast television and voice background, as St.

Clair, Florence's aspiring actor boyfriend; Gregory Prest, last seen at Centaur in Tales From Ovid, as Cosme McMoon, Florence's gay pianist; Patricia Yeatman, recently seen on Centaur's stage in Condoville, as Florence's best friend Dorothy, Victoria Sanchez, last appearing at Centaur in Anna And The Tropics, as Maria, the Mexican maid and Felicia Shulman, from last year's Centaur production of Bye Bye Baby as Mrs. Verindah-Gedge, Florence's fiercest critic. The design team consists of Raymond Marius Boucher for set; costumes by Susana Vera, and lighting by Luc Prairie. Christina Hidalgo is stage manager and Alexie Lalonde-Steedman is Assistant Stage Manager.

By www.centaurtheatre.com