The NAC English Theatre Extends a Trip to the Moon!
January 30, 2002 -
Ottawa -- Fans of Robert Lepage's ingenious and provocative
theatre are sure to be delighted at the news that, in response, to
popular demand, the NAC English Theatre has added another English
language performance of Mr. Lepage's extraordinary flight of
theatrical fancy, the far side of the moon, on March 26, 2002.
Performances will now take place in English on March 26, 27 and 28,
2002, in the Theatre at the NAC at 19:30. Although Mr. Lepage does
not any longer always perform in this production, he will be
performing in each of the shows at the NAC. Tickets will be on sale
at the NAC Box Office or through Ticketmaster as of January 28,
2002.
the far side of the moon is Robert Lepage's one-man
tour-de-force. Written and directed by and starring Lepage, the play
premiered at the Théâtre du Trident in Quebec city in
2000, and was presented for the first time in English at the
DuMaurier World Stage Festival in Toronto, shortly afterward.
Considered his most intimate and autobiographical work to-date,
the far side of the moon was written in collaboration with
Adam Nashman, based on an original concept by Peder Bjurman. The
original score for the production was composed by the celebrated
American musician and performance artist, Laurie Anderson.
In 2001, the far side of the moon was awarded the
prestigious Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play of the Year.
This marks the first time in forty-seven years that the Award Jury,
made up of critics from three of the most important London papers,
have selected a non-British recipient. Similarly, the far side of
the moon was recognized when Mr. Lepage was presented with the
sought-after Barclays Award for the best touring production at the
World Leaders Festival in October 2001. the far side of the
moon also won four awards at the Gala des masques in
Québec.
In the far side of the moon, Lepage creates a
parallel universe and metaphor for family dynamics in the seemingly
insatiable human drive for space exploration. Wrapped around a
central story of two very different siblings dealing with the death
of their mother and coming to terms with the rivalry each felt for
her love, is the overarching story of two figurative "siblings," the
USA and The Soviet Union, racing each to beat the other to the moon.
Throughout the narrative, Lepage weaves thematic links between the
personal and the universal and, as always, does so with breathtaking
theatricality, ingenious material manipulations and mind-bending
meditations.
Robert Lepage graduated from the Conservatoire d'art
dramatique de Québec in 1978 and completed his training in
Paris before returning to Québec City to join
Théâtre Repère. He has come to be regarded as one
of the most important creative forces in this country, with his work
in theatre, film and opera being presented in several languages on
five continents. Mr. Lepage served as artistic director of the
National Arts Centre's Théâtre français from
1989 to 1993, before founding Ex Machina, a multidisciplinary
creation company in Québec City. He has received numerous
awards, honours and distinctions, and was decorated with the Order of
Canada in 1995, and the Ordre National du Québec in 1999.
Other one-man shows include the critically acclaimed Needles and
Opium, Vinci, and Elsinore. Mr. Lepage was the creative
impetus behind such internationally acclaimed productions as The
Dragon Trilogy; Tectonic Plates; Polygraph; The Seven Streams of the
River Ota; and The Geometry of Miracles. His first feature
film, Le Confessional, was presented at the 1995 Cannes Film
Festival and won several prizes, including the Genie Award for best
film, best production, and best artistic direction.
Performance Times and Prices:
Tuesday, March 26, Wednesday, March 27
and Thursday, March 28, 2002.... 19:30
Orchestra: $40.00
Balcony: $35.00
Ticket prices include GST and Facility Fee where
applicable.
The Facility Fee supports the maintenance of the National Arts
Centre.
Tickets are available for purchase:
In person at the NAC Box Office (no service charges);
At all Ticketmaster outlets;
By telephone from Ticketmaster, (613) 755-1111;
Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC's Web site
www.nac-cna.ca
A service charge applies on all purchases made through
Ticketmaster.
FOR STUDENTS ONLY:
Last-minute "Live Rush Seat" tickets ($8.50 each) are available in
limited quantities, on a first come, first served basis, after 16:00
on the day of performance for evening performances or two (2) hours
before matinée performances. Get your Live Rush Seat tickets
online at www.liverushnac.com
or in person at the Live Rush Centre in the NAC Foyer, upon
presentation of Live Rush Card and valid student I.D. Limit two "Live
Rush Seat" tickets per performance per Live Rush Card.
Advance student tickets (50% off regular price) are available for
purchase in person at the NAC Box Office only, on presentation of
valid student I.D. Limit one ticket per performance per student
I.D.
