NAC English Theatre
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The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum: It’s Well Even If It Doesn’t End So Well
It has a strange and inexplicable ending. ENJOYABLE! Otherwise, the NAC’s current production of The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum is pretty enjoyable! It features an accessible story, an eye-pleasing set, a bit of music, and some good laughs. CHARMING PERFORMANCE! David Francis, as Grandpa, gives a charming performance — all the more noteworthy because he speaks only two [...]
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A Play Worth Talking About: Communion at the NAC is Very Good
Communion, now playing the NAC, is very good. Here’s the lead from my formal review: Kazan Co-op’s production of Communion features an intelligent well-crafted script by Daniel MacIvor and a stand-out performance by Stephanie MacDonald. I was engaged and entertained throughout, moved at the end, and presented with a clear and thoughtful claim about intergenerational conflict and the fear of [...]
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Lauchie, Liza and Rory: “You’re Guaranteed To Smile!”
Barb Popel recommends Lauchie, Liza and Rory at the NAC: One of my favourite authors, Graham Greene, described some of his novels as “entertainments”. This didn’t mean that these novels were slight or without drama, but rather that they didn’t tackle serious subjects, nor did they provide deep insights into the human condition. I think [...]
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Saint Carmen Of The Main At The NAC: Spread The Word And Earn The Chance To Win Some Tickets!
You’ve heard the buzz bubbling up from Toronto! (If you haven’t, read this or this!) At last, the NAC/Canadian Stage co-production of Michel Tremblay’s Saint Carmen Of The Main is here in Ottawa! I’ve got TWO (yes, two!) pairs of tickets to give away! First, here’s the pitch from the NAC: Created in 1976 on [...]
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Walls Reveal As Much As They Hide: The Year Of Magical Thinking
As promised, here are my reflections on The Year of Magical Thinking now playing at the NAC. Joan Didion, as portrayed by Seana McKenna, in the Belfry Theatre’s production of The Year of Magical Thinking, is not a likable person. Whether or not this is a fair representation of the living breathing Didion, I can’t [...]
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The Only Sure Thing In Ottawa: Taxes, Death, and The Year of Magical Thinking
As promised in the latest Newsletter, here is the full version of Barb Popel’s recommendation for The Year of Magical Thinking at the NAC Theatre. Let me know if you prefer the longer format! It this theatre? I don’t think so. Rather, it’s a well-performed biographical monologue, with the superb Seana McKenna channelling the brittle [...]
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“A Glimpse of a Place We Hope Never To Go”: The Year of Magical Thinking At The NAC!
I first caught word of Joan Didion’s autobiographical play, The Year of Magical Thinking, thanks to J. Kelly Nestruck’s Globe and Mail review, when the Belfry Theatre‘s production played Tarragon Theatre. Here are the bits from Nestruck’s review that resonated with me: You might expect a tragic performance of Greek or Shakespearean proportions from [Seana] [...]
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If A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Sneezes, What’s The Worth Of A Video Sneeze For nativity?
When I can, I like to call attention to clever publicity. The story about the story is as important as the story itself. Really, that’s one of the main ideas behind this site. The story you tell about the art in Ottawa to your friends, family and peers is as important as the story the [...]
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nativity! Now Featuring Peter Hinton!
Some great ideas practically sneeze themselves! The NAC’s English Theatre Artistic Director, Peter Hinton, is now appearing onstage for the first time in fifteen years! That’s right — fifteen years! As of Saturday, he took over for Marcel Jeannin, who had to depart nativity for personal reasons. Mr. Hinton says, It’s fun for me at [...]
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NAC’s nativity An Early Holiday Gift! Bill Writes, “Great show!”
A sneeze from Bill March for NAC’s nativity. He writes, Great show that has: story, character, image, music, dance, morals, the Bible, coyotes, dance, and, most of all, HUMOUR. The “festive” breaking of the 4th wall was excellent (personal favourite moment: Herod points at ME and angrily snaps that my “joy will be short-lived!” while [...]
ON TUMBLR
I’m looking forward to this. I already have my tickets for the Thursday night performance.
I don’t know much of anything about ballet, other than I like it. Based on the write-up and a couple of reviews I looked at, I think this will be fun.
Plus, Marie Antoinette seems to be all the rage these days. :)
- Sterling Lynch
I’m looking forward to Plosive’s production of Daniel MacIvor’s How it Works.
Two out of the three MacIvor play I have seen are entertaining, accessible and smart. In other words, very enjoyable.
Director Stewart Matthews has done some good work. I’m also a big fan of Michelle LeBlanc.
All in all, this production looks promising and I will be there opening night.
The production runs at the Gladstone Theatre, from October 5–20.
I’m a big fan of John Carroll — both his music and the guy.
When he plays with his band, it’s always a treat.
I’ve even seen he and band play at the Black Sheep and I can say — with the authority of experience — that it’s worth the ride out there. Take the bus and drink freely.
If John Carroll is new to you, check out his residency show at the Chateau Lafayette on any given Wednesday and pick up tickets for the bus, after you are duly impressed.
- Sterling
I’ve dropped in on the Improvising Musicians of Ottawa/Outaouais’ Sunday night concerts, more than once.
It’s not a typical musical event. It’s not a typical Sunday night event either.
I’ve always enjoyed it. They are a friendly bunch of organizers, too.
It turns out they are putting a festival together [Oct.5 - 6].
- Sterling Lynch
If the Sunday night event is any indication, it should be a fun couple of days.
A couple of Saturdays ago, I had an inkling to get my dance on, but didn’t know where to get my fix.
I appealed to Twitter and @orenmazor recommended Ritual as good choice for any given Saturday night. I will check it out in the near future, for sure.
What do you think? Have you been?
