February 01, 2005 -

Ottawa -- National Arts Centre English Theatre Artistic Director Marti Maraden is delighted to welcome back to the Studio, Ottawa’s own internationally-acclaimed writer/performer Pierre Brault with the World Premiere of his new, one-man play. Portrait of an Unidentified Man is based on the life of perhaps the greatest art forger of the twentieth century, Hungarian Elmyr de Hory.  With his trademark flair and wit, Brault brings to life an hilarious, often poignant and always mesmerizing tale filled with the eccentric, the flamboyant and the all too-human.  The play is a fascinating portrait of a man whose life raises compelling questions about the very nature of art and identity.  Performances of Portrait of an Unidentified Man run February 8 to 19 (Preview February 7) at 20:00 in the NAC Studio, with matinees at 14:00 on Saturday, February 12 and 19.   Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office in person, or through Ticketmaster at (613) 755-1111 or www.nac-cna.ca (surcharges apply to tickets purchased through Ticketmaster).

Ottawa audiences have long been delighted by Pierre Brault.  His one-man play Blood on the Moon enjoyed three successful runs at the National Arts Centre and has toured internationally to great acclaim.  Portrait of an Unidentified Man, also a one-man tour de force in which Brault plays myriad characters, had its earliest incarnation in a special sneak preview reading at “Ireland Bound,” a fundraiser for Sleeping Dog Theatre’s tour of Blood on the Moon.  A slightly longer version was performed at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre’s Rhubarb! Festival in Toronto in 2003.  The National Arts Centre English Theatre then commissioned the completion of the script, in association with Sleeping Dog Theatre.  Following several short workshops with Brian Quirt, dramaturg and director, and with grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, the final workshop was held in July, 2004 and incorporated a public reading in the NAC’s Rehearsal Hall A.

Portrait of an Unidentified Man is inspired by the fascinating life of Elmyr de Hory, who counted among his acquaintance such artistic luminaries as Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani and Vlaminck.  He was, himself, a gifted painter and yet one who could not earn his living by his work.  It was, thus, that he turned to painting in the style of his more successful counterparts.  He did not imitate their works, but copied their style, creating “original” new works which he sold for great profit to galleries and collectors around the world.  De Hory’s personal life was as complex as his professional life.  His unfortunate relationships and his subsequent downfall make compelling fodder for Brault’s brilliantly crafted play.

Directing Pierre Brault in a bravura performance is Toronto dramaturgical company Nightswimming’s  artistic director Brian Quirt.  Martin Conboy has designed an extraordinary set and lighting “scape” for this production, transforming the Studio stage into a canvas against which Brault can “paint” the fascinating characters in the play.  Justin Haynes is the Composer and Sound Designer for this production and Barbara Cuerden is the Visual Arts Consultant.  Judi Pearl is the  Stage Manager (and Producer of Sleeping Dog Theatre), and Dana Uzarevic is Apprentice Stage Manager.

Sleeping Dog Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Ottawa and dedicated to the development, production and touring of new Canadian plays.  The company works in partnership with regional theatres and presenters both nationally and internationally.

Tickets for Portrait of an Unidentified Man 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 NAC Box Office only. Ticket prices are from $28.50 and $32.50 ($18 for Preview).  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. Groups of 20+ save up to 20% on NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To book call 947-7000 ext: 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca

The National Arts Centre English Theatre Studio Series is sponsored by the CanWest Global Foundation.  CBC Radio One 91.5 FM is Proud Media Partner of the Studio Series.

Portrait of an Unidentified Man -  Listings Info.

• February 8-19 (Preview February 7)  No performances Sundays or Mondays (aside from preview)
• NAC Studio
• 20:00 Tuesday through Saturday
• Saturday matinees 14:00, February 12, 19
• Tickets available at NAC Box Office in person; through Ticketmaster 755-1111 or on-line through Ticketmaster link www.nac-cna.ca
• Tickets $28.50 and $32.50 (preview $18)
• Pre-Show Chat – An informal discussion before the Saturday Matinee performance Saturday, February 12 at 13:00 in the NAC Salon.  Guest Speaker: Martin Conboy, Lighting Designer 
• Thursday Talkbacks –  A Post-Performance Question and Answer session with the performer –Thursday, February 17

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

Digital photography: Production images from Portrait of an Unidentified Man are available for download in digital format (jpeg) at http://www.nac-cna.ca/media Just follow the links to Portrait of an Unidentified Man