Photo: Andrew Alexander

Ann-Marie MacDonald’s clever play GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA, (GOOD MORNING JULIET) is a lively comedic tale of self-discovery. Graduate Assistant Constance Leadbelly, who is obsessed with tracing obscure Shakespearian sources, is suddenly catapulted into the worlds of OTHELLO and ROMEO AND JULIET. She inadvertently transforms them into comedies by saving the lives of the two leading ladies. In the world of the plays, the dialogue is in nifty iambic pentameter. There are sword fights, disguises, and seductions. In Act II there’s some entertaining gender bending, prompting Desdemona’s forlorn cry, “Does no one in Verona sail straight?”

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Photo: GCTC Zach Cousil and  Geoff McBride

Thanks to Ann-Marie Macdonald’s witty, and intelligent script, director Ann Hodges and her cast have shown us what a well written   play this really is.  When the Queen of Academe, Assistant professor Constance Ledbelly is projected into the world of her Shakespearean research, she finds herself interfering with the important moments of the plots of Othello and Romeo and Juliet as she searches for a more transgressive i.e. Feminist reading of the plays where the women refuse to be victims. Thus, the true author of these narratives, and even her own identity, must be revealed…and all this on the eve of Ledbelly’s birthday.

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Photo. Andrew Alexander

Michael Healey and Jenny Young.

This Prime Minister is shrewd, cynical —­ and likable. Astute, funny play at GCTC is based on Stephen Harper

No doubt about it: Michael Healey sticks us with a problem.

On the one hand, no matter what your political persuasion you’ll probably like — or at least have a chunk of fellow feeling toward — the unnamed prime minister, a man based on Stephen Harper, at the centre of Healey’s political satire Proud.

On the other hand, how can you not be repulsed by this shrewd, powerful leader’s cynical reduction of political life to manipulation of public opinion and the achievement of his personal Holy Grail: a better debt-to-GDP ratio? Then again, who ever said theatre, or politics for that matter, is supposed to wrap life up in one tidy package? Healey himself plays the prime minister in this funny, astute and talky play that is set in the days after the 2011 federal election.

The Conservatives, rather than the NDP, have swept Quebec and hold .read more  …..http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/This+Prime+Minister+shrewd+cynical+likable/8908639/story.html

Kevin Loring as The Chief. Photo: Andrew Alexandre

The Algonquin Elder Annie Smith St- Georges from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, blessed the audience, thanked the creator for respecting all creatures on the earth and for letting us enjoy the gift of art from her culture. At her side was Professor Claudette Commanda also from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, a professor at the University of Ottawa, daughter of the late Chief William Commanda, whom Peter Hinton had often invited to initiate his launchings of the NAC English theatre seasons. With such prestigious representatives from the Native community, inviting us into this theatrical ceremony at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, a special aura floated about us as the mist seeped out from the stage announcing the arrival of the ancestors and the spirits, called up by the performance. Around the sides of the stage, the works of photojournalist Rita Leistner linked with the photographs of Edward Curtis, enhanced by Tim Matheson’s projection design and John Webbers magnificent lighting, created effects that ressembled the phantasmagoria of a deep seated dream.

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