Back by popular demand following a smash-hit National Tour Blood on the Moon -- Pierre brault's critically acclaimed one-man tour de force returns to the NAC studio, July 4 - 20, 2002
May 14, 2002 -
A solo theatrical masterwork...dazzling.
The Montreal Gazette
Brault's bravura one-man performance confirms what acting
is all about. He's riveting from beginning to end.
Kitchener record
Beautifully written.
The Globe and Mail
Ottawa, Ontario -- The National Arts Centre (NAC) English Theatre is
proud and excited to announce that, due to popular demand and in
response to a recent resurgence in speculation about the murder of
Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Blood on the Moon, the sensational
one-man show written and performed by Pierre Brault, will return to
the NAC Studio for a limited third summer engagement from Thursday,
July 4 through Saturday, July 20, 2002. Set in Ottawa at the time of
Confederation, Blood on the Moon is a dynamic, entertaining
and fascinating piece of theatre that tells of the murder of Thomas
D'Arcy McGee from the viewpoint of his alleged assassin, James
Patrick Whelan. Having recently completed a hugely successful tour of
Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario, Pierre Brault and Sleeping Dog
Theatre are thrilled that they will once again have an opportunity to
share this popular play with Ottawa audiences. The production is
directed by John Koensgen and produced by Sleeping Dog Theatre
(Ottawa) in association with the NAC English Theatre. Tickets are on
sale now.
Marti Maraden, Artistic Director of the NAC English Theatre says,
"When an opportunity became available for us to bring Blood on the
Moon back to the NAC, we pounced on it. Pierre's wonderful
acting breathes life into history and we felt we just had to give new
(and old) Ottawa audiences another chance to see this wonderful play
that has been enchanting audiences across the country. "
"It's a real joy to bring Blood on the Moon back to
the NAC. No one is more surprised than me that this one-man show,
written for the Ottawa Fringe Festival, has gone on to have such a
successful and busy life! I'm grateful for the role the NAC has
played in helping to develop and nurture this play, and I can't
imagine a better way to end this tour, than back on the stage of the
NAC Studio, where it all started," says Pierre Brault.
The NAC English Theatre again looks forward to collaborating with
organizations from the heritage and tourism communities. Summer
visitors to Ottawa - and Ottawa residents! - are
encouraged to attend a performance of Blood on the Moon as
part of a historical package that could also include, for example,
visits to Parliament Hill, the Bytown Museum (whose collection
includes the bullet thought to have killed McGee), the National
Archives, a tour of the former Carleton County gaol (now the Ottawa
International Hostel) where Whelan was incarcerated and hanged, a
lantern-light Haunted Walk of Ottawa (including the very spot on
Sparks Street where McGee met his untimely fate), and a meal at
D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub.
The Story
In the early hours of an April morning in 1868, as he stooped to
unlock the door of his lodgings on Sparks Street, Thomas D'Arcy
McGee, Member of Parliament and Father of Confederation, was killed
by a single shot to the back of the head. Some months later, in the
Ottawa Courthouse (now Arts Court), an Irish tailor named James
Patrick Whelan was convicted of the grisly assassination. The
evidence against him was purely circumstantial, yet Whelan was led to
his death before thousands of jeering spectators in what was to be
Canada's last public hanging. Did Whelan hang for a crime he
never committed?
In a towering one-man performance, Ottawa-based actor and
playwright Pierre Brault plays Whelan and a host of other characters,
bringing to life this fascinating yet strangely overlooked chapter of
Canadian history.
Blood on the Moon stars Pierre Brault and is directed by
John Koensgen. Lighting Design is by Martin Conboy. Sound Design is
by Marc Desormeaux. Stage Manager for this production is Sleeping Dog
Theatre producer, Judi Pearl.
A Sleeping Dog Theatre production
in association with the NAC English Theatre
Blood on the Moon
Written and performed by Pierre Brault • Directed by John
Koensgen
Lighting design by Martin Conboy • Sound design by Marc
Desormeaux
Thursday, July 4 through Saturday, July 20, 2002 at 19:30;
Saturday Matinees at 14:00 in the NAC Studio.
(No performances on Sundays or Mondays.)
Adults $19.00, Students (with valid ID) $12.00
Group rates available (groups of 20 or more)
Ticket prices include GST and Facility Fee.
The Facility Fee supports the maintenance of the National Arts
Centre.
