Death of a Salesman, the classic play by legendary U.S. playwright Arthur Miller, is now playing in Ottawa thanks to Chamber Theatre Hintonburg.
Local theatre lovers can see first-hand the famous story of travelling salesman Willy Loman, whose pursuit of the American Dream ends in tragedy.
“You can learn so much from what this guy goes through,” says Donnie Laflamme, who plays Loman. “He has so many hopes and dreams and he just settles … [The play] can be seen as a way to avoid that.”
The play will run at the Carleton Tavern (223 Armstrong) until April 5. A performance will also take place on April 25 at Southminster United Church (15 Aylmer Ave.) and May 1 at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield. Tickets for each performance are $30, although Laflamme tells Apartments613 that they can negotiate student discounts.
Founded more than a decade ago, Chamber Theatre Hintonburg is known for its intimate and personal performances. While their home “theatre” is the Carleton Tavern, the company has also played such spaces as the Cube Gallery, the Elmdale House Tavern and the Hintonburg Community Centre.
“The [original] idea was to put on plays where people don’t show plays,” says Laflamme, when asked how Chamber Theatre Hintonburg was first formed. “If you do what everyone else does then you won’t distinguish yourself.”
For the current showing of Death of a Salesman, the group will be dealing with a smaller set than one would normally find in a fully-sized theatre. However, they do not plan to cut corners when telling the story.
“It’s the full play but on a compressed stage,” says Laflamme, the creative force behind the brilliant Mechanicsville Monologues.
Death of a Salesman runs at the Carleton Tavern (223 Armstrong) until April 5. Upcoming showtimes are March 27 and 28 at 6:30 pm; March 29 at 5:00 pm; April 3, 4 at 6:30 pm; and April 5 at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $30 and are available online, in person at the Carleton Tavern, or at Character Hair Salon (1099 Wellington Street). You can also reserve in advance to pay at the door by calling 613-791-4471 or 613-791-0097.
