MAGNETIC NORTH THEATRE FESTIVAL
CANADA'S NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY
CANADIAN THEATRE IN ENGLISH
ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, JUNE 28-JULY 8, 2006
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, JUNE 6-16, 2007

I am looking for theatre that takes me to places I haven't been. It can be a voyage of the heart, mind or senses, preferably all three. Productions like Marie Clements' Burning Vision, Andy Jones' To The Wall, Kristen Thomson's I Claudia, Morris Panych's Earshot, Daniel MacIvor's Cul de Sac and John Mighton's Half Life thrill me to the bone. These are just a few of the stunning Canadian productions we have been able to present at Magnetic North.

In my first year I was asked if I thought there was enough good contemporary Canadian theatre touring to make such a festival as Magnetic North. Wouldn't the well run dry pretty quickly? The well, I can now say with authority, is overflowing; in fact it has created a geyser. Many of the productions in Magnetic North have been picked up from the Festival to tour extensively nationally and internationally.

In 2006 we are being welcomed by one of Canada's most dynamic cities: St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador. After that, in 2007 we'll return to our home base in Ottawa to celebrate with some of the most discerning theatre audiences in the country. I look forward to coming home.

- MARY VINGOE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Copresented by the National Arts Centre
11 days of exciting contemporary theatre from across Canada.
World Premieres, magnetic encounters, award-winning shows and more!
www.magneticnorthfestival.ca

Mary Vingoe
Photo: Laird Mackintosh