March 16, 2004 -

Ottawa -- The National Arts Centre English Theatre is thrilled to announce the World Premiere production of Peter Froehlich’s new play Simpl. Inspired by the life and work of German cabaret artist and beer-hall comedian, Karl Valentin, this extraordinary piece of theatre seamlessly merges original material with excerpts of actual sketches created by Karl Valentin and his performance partner Liesl Karlstadt. Simpl runs in the NAC Studio, March 30 to April 10 (Preview March 29) at 20:00 with Saturday matinees at 14:00. Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office in person or through Tickemaster at (613) 755-1111.

Karl Valentin and his performance partner Liesl Karlstadt need no introduction in their native Germany where the two are revered as cultural icons. These two master comedians performed their hilarious intellectual contortionism in the café theatres and music halls of Bavaria throughout the early years of the twentieth century and into the grim days of the Third Reich. Their genius for physical comedy, their ability to find humour in the mundane and their elegant verbal acrobatics made them hugely popular in their own time. Yet Valentin’s political apathy has remained a troubling conundrum for his admirers and one with which cultural historians grapple.

Commissioned by the NAC English Theatre’s Play Development programme, the play offers original material cleverly punctuated with excerpts from actual sketches performed by Valentin and Karlstadt. Peter Froehlich’s creation is a delightfully funny, quirky, provocative and thoughtful play which poses the question: What can it possibly mean to be a “non-political artist” in horrific times?

Tarragon Theatre’s Artistic Director Richard Rose directs this extraordinary piece of theatre and brings together a wonderful team of actors and designers to bring the unusual story to life. Yannik Larivée is Set and Costume Designer, Martin Conboy is the Lighting Designer, and Original Music and Music Direction are by John Millard. Lee Wilson is Assistant Director.

Peter Froehlich himself plays Karl Valentin, Halifax actor Nicola Lipman is Liesl Karlstadt and Toronto’s Peter Tiefenbach is Gerhard Krachmann.

The Stage Manager on this production is Laurie Champagne, working with Apprentice Stage Manager Michelene A. Sutherland.

Simpl will transfer to Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, opening there on April 27.

Tickets for Simpl are available at the NAC Box Office in person or through Ticketmaster at 755-1111, and on-line through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s web site at www.nac-cna.ca (a service charge applies to all purchases made through Ticketmaster). Students (with a valid student card) may purchase half-price tickets at the box office only. Ticket prices are from $27.50 and $31.50. Students should visit the Live Rush™ page online at www.liverush.ca to find out how to obtain Live Rush seats ($9.50) available on a first-come, first-served basis after 18:00 on the day of performance.

Simpl - Listings Info.

• March 30 to April 10 (preview March 29) No performances Sundays or Mondays (aside from preview)
• NAC Studio
• 20:00 Tuesday through Saturday
• Saturday matinees 14:00, April 3 & 10
• Tickets available at NAC Box Office in person; through Ticketmaster 755-1111 or on-line through Ticketmaster link www.nac-cna.ca
• Tickets $27.50 and $31.50 (preview $18)
• Pre-Show Chat – An informal discussion before the Saturday Matinee performance
• Saturday, April 3 at 13:00 in the NAC Salon; Paul Lefebvre “Walking Theatre Encyclopaedia”
• Thursday Talkbacks – A Post-Performance Question and Answer session with performers –Thursday, April 8

Digital photography: Production images from Simpl will be available for download in digital format (jpeg) at http://www.nac-cna.ca/media Just follow the links to Simp