January 10, 2005 -

Ottawa -- Artistic Director, Marti Maraden has brought together a spectacular cast and design team for a sumptuous production of William Shakespeare’s witty, sophisticated comedy, Love’s Labour’s Lost, playing in the NAC Theatre January 13 to 29, with performances at 19:30 and matinees at 14:00, Saturday, January 15, 22 and 29 and at 12:30 on Wednesday, January  19.  Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office in person or through Ticketmaster at 613 755-1111 (or online through the Ticketmaster link at www.nac-cna.ca).

When the King of Navarre and his three loyal companions take an oath to forswear the company of women to devote themselves to the pursuit of knowledge, they are setting themselves up for a spectacular romantic fall.  Their commitment to a life of asceticism is soon tested by the arrival at court of the Princess of France and her three charming attendants.  One by one, the men succumb to Cupid’s arrow, but the women they love are understandably suspicious.  After all, what must a wise woman think of a man who would so quickly betray his solemn oath?

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Marti Maraden has been committed, since her first season at the NAC, to putting superb productions of the plays of William Shakespeare on stage for Ottawa audiences.  Her passion for the bard and her determination to bring the finest artists to the capital have ensured the success of Ms. Maraden’s goal and have resulted in some outstanding and well-loved productions, among them All’s Well that Ends Well Twelfth Night, The Winter’s Tale, and last season’s critically-acclaimed Hamlet.

At the end of the 2004-2005 season, Ms. Maraden steps down as Artistic Director of the English Theatre. Love’s Labour’s Lost will, subsequently, be the last Shakespeare play she directs as Artistic Director, and the feather in her Shakespearean cap at the NAC. This production, set in the eighteenth century, features the set and costume designs of John Pennoyer, the lighting design of Louise Guinand and the original music and design of Marc Desormeaux.  Each of these designers has enjoyed a long and rewarding collaboration with Ms. Maraden and each is well respected by both peers and audiences for their work in theatre across the country. Jo Leslie returns to the NAC joining the creative team as choreographer, and local director Ken Godmere is Assistant Director.

The exceptional cast of Love’s Labour’s Lost is comprised of leading actors from across Canada:

(in alphabetical order)

Moth - David Bernstein
Attendant - Ric Brown
Berowne - Ben Carlson
Don Adriano de Armado - Juan Chioran
Attendant - David Coomber
Costard - Todd Duckworth
Princess of France - Kelli Fox
Nathaniel - Peter Froehlich
Katherine - Adrienne Gould
Forester - Chuck Herriott
Monsieur Marcade - John Koensgen
Jaquenetta - Trish Lindström
Rosaline - Yanna McIntosh
Longaville - Patrick McManus
Dumaine - Brendan Murray
Anthony Dull - Paul Rainville
Holofernes - David Schurmann
Maria - Kristina Watt
Boyet - David William
King of Navarre - Nigel Shawn Williams

Stage Manager - Laurie Champagne
Assistant Stage Manager - Stéfanie Séguin
Apprentice Stage Manager - Dana Uzarevic

Tickets for Love’s Labour’s Lost 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 $29 (Saturday Matinee) to $62.  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.

The NAC English Theatre is pleased to have The Ottawa Citizen as its media partner for the English Theatre Main Stage 2003-2004 Season and would like to thank the NAC Donors’ Circle for their assistance in making the Main Stage Series possible.

Love’s Labour’s Lost -  Listings Info.
January 13 to 29 (Preview January 12).  No performances Sundays or Mondays
NAC Theatre  
19:30 Tuesday through Saturday
Wednesday matinee for students and seniors at 12:30, January 19
Saturday matinees 14:00, January 15, 22, 29

Tickets available at NAC Box Office in person; through Ticketmaster 755-1111 or on-line through Ticketmaster link www.nac-cna.ca

Tickets from $29.00 to $62.00; Students (with valid student card) may purchase half-price tickets in person at the Box Office.

Other activities related to Love’s Labour’s Lost are:

• Pre-Show Chat – An informal discussion before the Saturday Matinee performance – Saturday, January 15 at 13:00 in the NAC Panorama Room  Guest Speaker: Marti Maraden, Director.
• Thursday Talkbacks –  A Post-Performance Question and Answer session with performers
  - Thursday, January 20, 27

For more information contact:
Laura Denker
Publicity and Media Relations Coordinator
National Arts Centre English Theatre
(613) 947 7000 ext. 389;
ldenker@nac-cna.ca

Production images of Love’s Labour’s Lost will be available in digital format as of January 12 at www.nac-cna.ca/media follow the links to the 2004-2005 season.