What’s next for Ottawa’s theatre scene?
Reported by: Tinahnia, Openfile
In a funny way, the resurgence of Ottawa’s theatre scene over the last dozen years can be traced back to Canada’s most famous political assassination.
On April 7, 1868, Thomas D’Arcy McGee, a Father of Confederation and Member of Parliament, was shot in the head on Sparks Street, less than a year after Canada was born. The perpetrator was allegedly Patrick J. Whelan, who was hanged publicly at what’s now a youth hostel—formerly Carleton County Gaol—on Nicholas Street.
That was Canada’s only assassination of a federal figure, and the whole episode continues to fascinate history buffs in the nation’s capital. Among those who were captivated by the story was Pierre Brault, who created a one-man show about Whelan called “Blood on the Moon” with collaborators Judi Pearl and Jon Koensgen.
“Blood” debuted at the Ottawa Fringe Festival in June 1999 at Arts Court—right next door to the former jail where Whelan was hanged.
Nobody realized that “Blood” would become a legend of its own—even a catalyst for the growth of the Ottawa theatre scene. A smash hit at Fringe that year, “Blood” was picked up by the NAC’s then-Artistic Director Marti Maraden for a reprisal on Canada’s national stage.
For full story, go to: What’s next for Ottawa’s theatre scene?
Ottawa Fringe Festival announces winners of its 2012 lottery
Trevor Pritchard, OpenFile
It’s not too early to start thinking about the 2012 Ottawa Fringe Festival, is it? Next year’s Fringe could feature international productions from Australia and the United States—as well as Canadian productions from B.C., Quebec, and southern Ontario—after the festival announced the winners of its annual lottery earlier this week.
Local theatre reviewer Andrew Snowdon was on-hand when the 36 lucky production companies were announced Tuesday at Patty Boland’s. He told us over email a bit about the philosophy behind the lottery system:
Read more on the Open File website: Ottawa Fringe Festival announces winners of its 2012 lottery
Fringe draws record crowds to 11-day run
Patrick Langston, Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — A record 12,646 people attended this year’s 15th Ottawa Fringe Festival, organizers announced as the 11-day festival wrapped up Sunday.
Ottawa’s Mi Casa Theatre won the award for both outstanding concept and overall production for Live from the Belly of a Whale. A Vagrant Theatre got the solo performance prize for Dying Hard, outstanding drama went to Padre X by Looking Glass Productions, and the comedy award was picked up by Jimmy Hogg for Curriculum Vitae. Other winners included Falling Open by Emergence Productions, which took the prize for original work.
A complete list of winners is available at ottawafringe. com.
Freaks and funnies at the Fringe
Avant-garde and offbeat, the Ottawa Fringe Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary with a host of cutting-edge productions
Jean-Thomas Tremblay, Ottawa Xpress
The Suckerpunch
Actor, writer, director and singer Brent Hirose will take over the stage of the SAW Gallery with his latest solo show, The Suckerpunch. The Winnipeg artist has built a solid reputation as a workaholic, participating in more than 15 plays and 10 movies, in addition to being actively involved with five companies and troupes. Described as a “fantastic tale of time travel, theoretical terrorists and terrible science,” The Suckerpunch pledges to immerse the audience into Hirose’s insane universe. Hirose is one not to miss at this year’s Fringe.
June 16-26 at SAW Gallery (67 Nicholas)
Read more on the Ottawa XPress website: Freaks and funnies at the Fringe
New play tries to solve equation of love
Jessica Kunha, YourOttawaRegion
There’s an equation for everything but sometimes the answers aren’t always readily apparent.
This is the premise of a new play, Complex Numbers, which will debut as part of the Ottawa Fringe Festival on June 19.
Written by Westboro sex columnist Nadine Thornhill, Complex Numbers is “a smart, romantic comedy with a twist,” she said.
The main character Fiona, a mathematician, tries to navigate the complexities of an office romance.
“As she tries to solve the equation of first dates, kinky sex and long-term commitment, she learns that the best answers aren’t always easy,” said Thornhill.
The inspiration for the play came in the way of Thornhill’s husband, Phil Eisen, who works for Kanata-based security company Irdeto.
“The main character is a mathematician and I’m married to a mathematician,” said Thornhill. “I wanted to explore the idea of the office romance and do it in a way that is different then the way you see in romantic comedies.
Read More on the Your Ottawa Region website: New play tries to solve equation of love
First Annual Fringe Gala: Playing with Fire
Proudly presented by MediaStyle & ZenKitchen
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
7:00 pm
Zen Kitchen
634 Somerset Street West
$75.00
$50.00 for students/unwaged (there are a limited number available)
*includes one drink on arrival + one toast during the evening*
This year is The Ottawa Fringe Theatre & Arts Festival’s 15th Anniversary and to spice it up, MediaStyle is hosting an evening like you’ve never seen before.
Taking place at the innovative and delicious ZenKitchen, the gala will feature live performances, a prestigious live auction, photo booth, the launch of the Fringe Souvenir Book and much more!
Join us for a hot night of exciting entertainment & extraordinary encounters while sipping the special sizzling fire spritzer and supporting the love of Ottawa arts and culture. For tickets, visit www.fringegala.com.
*If you wish to pay in cash, please visit the Fringe Office at 2 Daly Ave, Suite 100 Mon-Fri 9-5*
Should you have any questions please contact the Fringe Office at 613-232-6162
Igniting the fringe by combining art and business
Bob Ledrew
The Ottawa Fringe Festival, one of the seemingly dozens of annual events that make life in Ottawa in the summer fun (and sometimes exhausting) has been holding a series of lunchtime events that have ranged from bloody debates on the future of theatre to… an Ignite event.
With the help of theatre and communications guy Ryan Anderson, the Fringe folk put together a roster of artists (not including me) and business types (yeah, that was me) to do Ignite presentations with the loose topic of the intersection of art and business.
For those of you not familiar with Ignite, it’s a movement where people put together 20-slide presentations that are the visuals for a five-minute talk. The slides advance mercilessly, every 15 seconds, so it’s like “The Pit and the Pendulum” for speakers.
Read more: Igniting the fringe by combining art and business
The Ottawa Fringe Festival: Closing Ceremonies
Ottawa Tonight
The Closing Ceremonies are the culmination of the Ottawa Fringe Festival during which the Peer Juried Award winners for the 2010 festival will be announced:
Outstanding Comedy, Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Solo Performance, Outstanding Duo Performance, Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Outstanding Original Work, Outstanding Concept, and Outstanding Overall Production.
We will be live-streaming these ceremonies here on Ottawa Tonite beginning at 9:30pm!
View: The Ottawa Fringe Festival: Closing Ceremonies
Hot tickets and online heat
By Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen June 27, 2010
A cockroach disposed to metaphysical ponderings, a guy with a turtleshell grafted to his back and a conflicted duck have numbered among the intriguing characters on stage at the 14th annual Ottawa Fringe Festival, which winds up tonight. And with five dozen theatre companies at the 11-day event, there’s been no shortage of other memorable, and some wholly forgettable, creations.
Read more: Hot tickets and online heat
Fringe hits home stretch
STEVE COLLINS, METRO CANADA
As the 2010 Ottawa Fringe Festival enters its final weekend, organizers are estimating attendance will easily top 14,000, up from last year’s total of 12,500.
Read more: Fringe hits home stretch
