Plosive theatre at the Gladstone Archives - Capital Critics' Circle / Le cercle des critiques de la capitale

Voices From the Front: A Tender, Moving and Passionate Tribute

By Capital Critics Circle | November 10, 2017

photo courtesy of Plosive Theatre

The annual radio show at the Gladstone theatre returned to Ottawa this week. This year we were told that the radio play would be somewhat different and it was. The timing of the production coincides with the week of Remembrance Day and commemorates the centennial of the battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. Much of what is liked about this production is still there. Set designer Ivo Valentik has the familiar pieces of the radio station CGLD all there, decorated with adornments of the era tucked into the corners: A vintage cigar box and a soldier’s helmet inform us that this is war time. …

School for Wives at the Gladstone. A text that does not live up to the fine work on stage.

By Iris Winston | September 13, 2014

Photo. Erin Finn

There is good and bad news about the production of Molière’s The School for Wives that opened at the Gladstone Theatre on September 12.

The good news about the SevenThirty/Plosive Productions co-pro is that it is beautifully directed, well choreographed and features some strong performances, particularly from Andy Massingham, all in keeping with the period and form.

The bad news is that the translation by David Whiteley, while generally retaining the rhythm of the Alexandrine style of verse, is vulgar and jarring. Too frequently, modern colloquialisms, minor swear words and out-of-place slang scream irreverence for a classic and the inappropriate wording all but kills John P. Kelly’s fine staging.

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