The Qualities of Zero is a full-length play for 6 actors written by Jacob Richmond: a comedy about a neuroscientist who self-prescribes his experimental drug as he starts to become dangerously unhinged. It was produced in Montreal and Toronto in 2001 and received the Montreal Critic’s Award for best new play and three Dora nominations for best production, best actor and best new play. It was produced in Victoria and Vancouver in 2006.
AWARDS (for Toronto and Montreal productions)
- Winner of Montreal English Critic’s Circle Award for Outstanding Play
- Nominated for 4 Dora Mavor Moore Awards including best text, best production, best direction, best actor
- People’s Choice Award from Hour Magazine for best play
REVIEWS
“The Qualities of Zero will be lingering in my mind for years to come. Featuring a strong cast of six packed into the Belfry’s relatively small studio space, this new and improved version of an earlier work by actor-writer Jacob Richmond managed to be intelligent, endearing, unsettling and hilarious all at once.” – John Threlfall, Monday Magazine
“If the name Jacob Richmond and the title The Qualities of Zero don’t ring bells, chances are you’ve missed one of the most original voices to have debuted in Toronto in 2001.” -Kamal Al-Solaylee, The Globe and Mail
“Drugs play a big part in The Qualities of Zero, but the play is so feverishly imaginative that watching it is a mind-altering experience all by itself.” –Kathleen Oliver, The Georgia Straight
“Smart is the operative word here: the comedy, the direction, the performances all manifest a theatrical intelligence that really stands out in our current theatrical environment. I can hardly wait to see the next show from these folks.” -Jerry Wasserman, The Province