April 22, 2002 -

Belle is a massive achievement. Florence Gibson has written boldly, bravely; She writes with poetry, she writes with imagery. [A] beautiful very important piece of theatre. Florence Gibson is a writer we ought to cherish.

(Richard Ouzounian, CBC Radio)

Ottawa -- Florence Gibson's stunning Belle, fresh from its second run at Toronto's Factory Theatre where it has received enthusiastic reviews from both audiences and critics, will open at the NAC Studio on April 30 and run until May 11, with a preview on April 29. Performances are at 20:00, with Saturday matinees at 14:00. The National Arts Centre English Theatre is thrilled to bring the brilliant production that has had audiences lining up around the block for tickets, to Ottawa audiences.

In the era of reconstruction following the American Civil War, Belle and her husband Bowlyn, both former slaves, set out from Georgia with their baby boy to make a better life for themselves in the north. Bowlyn is soon led astray by unscrupulous political opportunists, while Belle ekes out a living as a domestic servant and tries to hold her family, and her dream, together. Belle is a rich, poetic and poignant story about truth, love, and finding one's rightful place in a changing society.

Playwright Florence Gibson won the 2001 Chalmers Award for Belle. The play was also shortlisted for a British Council New International Playwriting Award and was produced at the Gate Theatre in London, England.

Featuring many of the original cast, this production is directed by Ken Gass, Artistic Director of Factory Theatre (Toronto), who also directed the premiere production at Factory Theatre in 2000.

The play features many of the original cast members including Soo Garay as Nance, Yanna McIntosh as Belle, Alex Poch-Goldin as Lackey, and Nigel Shawn Williams as Bowlyn. Karen Robinson joins this distinguished group of actors to play Althea.

Set Design for the production is by Julia Tribe; Lighting Design is by Bonnie Beecher. Gersha Phillips designed the costumes and the Sound Design is by John Gzowski, with additional sound by Darren Copeland. Fiona Jones is the Stage Manager for this production.

Performance times and prices:
Monday to Thursday evenings @ 20:00 .....$25.00
Friday & Saturday evenings @ 20:00 .....$29.00
Saturday matinees @ 14:00 (May 4 and 11) .....$25.00
Preview, April 29 .....$16.00

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 matinee 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 advance ticket per performance per student I.D.

Information:
Laura Denker, Publicity & Media Relations Coordinator
(613) 947-7000, ext. 389
ldenker@nac-cna.ca

Digital photography:
Production images from Belle will be available for download in digital format (JPEG) as of April 24, 2001 at www.nac-cna.ca/media/ Just follow the link to Belle.