October 01, 2004 -

Ottawa -- The National Arts Centre English Theatre is launching its first-ever subscription season of International Readings with a night of celebration, to mark the 100^th anniversary of the most famous of Irish theatrical landmarks, The Abbey Theatre.  Presented in association with the Ottawa International Writers Festival, the reading will take place in the NAC Studio on October 4 at 19:30.  Individual tickets are $10, $5 for students, and are available in person at the NAC Box Office.  Subscriptions to the International Reading Series are now available for only $30 for three plays.

The Irish National Theatre was founded in 1903 by W. B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory . With patronage from Miss Annie Horniman, premises were purchased on Old Abbey Street and on December 27th 1904, the Abbey Theatre opened its doors for the first time. On the playbill that first evening were:  Cathleen Ni Houlihan and On Baile’s Strand by W.B. Yeats, and Spreading the News by Lady Gregory.   J.M. Synge’s, In the Shadow of the Glen was performed the following evening.

The NAC, in association with the Ottawa International Writers Festival is celebrating the centenary of the Abbey Theatre by re-creating its first opening night (and the following evening) with dramatized readings of the four aforementioned plays, directed by Ottawa’s Janet Irwin.

“Given the enduring symbolic significance of the Abbey Theatre as a place of dramatic innovation and a hub of brilliant creativity, it is a huge pleasure to be given this exciting opportunity to re-create the original opening night with plays by some of the most important figures in western literature.  I am looking forward to getting started!” Janet Irwin.

This first collaboration between the NAC English Theatre and the Ottawa International Writers Festival marks the debut of an important creative alliance.  Neil Wilson, founding Director of the OIWF says:

"When we think of English language drama, the Abbey Theatre has to rank as the most influential institution in the world.  We are thrilled to be partnering with the National Arts Centre, where our Festival began in 1997. We look forward to creating more opportunities for collaboration in the future."

The Abbey Centennial will feature the talents of Pierre Brault, Todd Duckworth, Joan Sullivan Eady, Kate Egan Veinotte, Chuck Herriott, Kate Hurman, Kris Joseph, John Koensgen and Jonathan Koensgen.  Jane Vanstone Osborn will Stage Manage the production.

The NAC’s International Reading Series has become increasingly popular with local audiences in recent years.  Its goal is to provide Ottawans with an opportunity to enjoy readings of some of the best contemporary and classical plays from around the world, plays that they might not otherwise ever have a chance to see.  Readings are performed by professional actors working with a professional director.  The final result may involve some very limited choreography or none at all.

Coming up in the International Reading Series:

Phaedra and Other Greek Women, by Ximene Escalante (Mexico). 
Monday, January 31, 2005 at 19:30 in the Fourth Stage
Presented by the NAC English Theatre in association with the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
In a translation by Jorge Gidi and Guillermo Verdecchia, Phaedra and Other Greek Women is a biting, original take on the classic Greek tale of feminine desire.  Ximena Excalante’s provocative play examines the sexual coming of age of a young Mexican woman.  Discover contemporary Mexican society refracted through the lens of ancient tragedy.  AND

The Lighthouse,  by Timothée de Fombelle (France), translated by Don Hannah. 
Monday, February 28, 2005 at 19:30 in the Fourth Stage.
Presented by the NAC English Theatre in association with The Banff Centre and the NAC French Theatre.  (The original French version, Le Phare, will be presented on Tuesday, March 1 at 19:30 in the Fourth Stage).
A man.  A lighthouse. An Island.  This award-winning play by French author Timothée de Fombelle tells the touching and mysterious story of a childhood spent at the edge of the world.

Given the success of the reading series, the NAC English Theatre this season introduced a subscription to allow patrons to book their social calendar well in advance.

Tickets to the NAC International Reading Series are $10/$5 for students, and are available at the NAC Box Office.  Subscriptions are $30 for all three plays and are available at (613) 947-7000 ext. 620, or in person at the NAC Subscription Office.

For more information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
Laura Denker
Publicity and Media Relations Coordinator
NAC English Theatre
(613) 947-7000 ext. 389;
ldenker@nac-cna.ca