Great Canadian Theatre Company

Courtney Merchand: “Everything Burkett did worked to shatter the illusion that you were watching wooden marionettes.”

The line between justice and revenge isn’t as always defined or easy to follow as we’d like. Who’s to have the final say in what is acceptable and unacceptable when righting a wrong? And when the justice system we hold in such high regard fails us, who’s to deny anyone the opportunity for retribution? Playwright […]

What better city than the nation’s capital and what better time than with a federal election hot on our heels for the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) to debut their 41st season with Michael Healey’s politically-charged satirical piece, Generous. Healey, an award-winning playwright, is no stranger to stirring up controversy in the theatre scene with […]

This is part two in our week-long series The Future of Ottawa (arts and culture edition).  In this guest column, Eric Coates, the artistic director of the Great Canadian Theatre Company, offers his insights on our city’s theatre community.  Twitter users: use hashtag #futott if you want to discuss this series on Twitter. When I was asked to […]

Is it really necessary to always find meaning in pain and suffering?  For many people, finding lessons in sorrow is a necessity, because otherwise what is the point of experiencing anguish. But what if we can’t find any answers, let alone wisdom, from misery?  This question arose in my mind after watching Moss Park, which […]

Canada is a special place. With a vast geography, relatively small population spread over a huge land, and a multicultural mix that makes this country one of the most ethnically diverse places in the world, Canada is able to produce an array of voices with multiple viewpoints. The magic of the Great Canadian Theatre Company […]

George F. Walker, 66, is a distinguished Canadian playwright and screenwriter. He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1996 and is the recipient of numerous awards, including three Governor General Awards. His The Burden of Self Awareness premiered at the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) earlier this month. We sat down […]

Over the course of 85 minutes (including one intermission) we follow a cast of five characters though a cascade of profanity, questionable ethics, infidelity, violence — even self-mutilation. The Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) is ending its 2013-14 season with the world premiere of The Burden of Self Awareness, a dark comedy written by Canadian […]

There are some things on which playwrights Anthony Johnston and Nathan Schwartz agree. They agree that they wrote a prank letter to a fundamentalist “ex-gay” organization. They asked for funds to develop a new play. The organization invited them to workshop the play at the group’s rural retreat. The offer was conditional: they had to […]

55 minutes (no intermission) | Drama | G Brian Fidler has dramatized his memories of his grandfather from when Fidler was around 10, and his grandfather came to live in Fidler’s parents’ basement. As Fidler points out early in the show, some of the props are real and some are stand-ins for what used to […]

Hannah Moscovitch has been called Canada’s most competent and hottest young playwright.  This praise extends abroad, with such publications as the Chicago Tribune and The Guardian recognising her talent. Watching her newest play This is War, which runs at the Great Canadian Theatre Company until February 23, it is clear why the 35-year-old has received so much acclaim. Set in Afghanistan […]

Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) is a triumph of Canadian theatre.  First premiering in 1988, this brilliant comedy won playwright Ann-Marie MacDonald the Governor General’s Award as well as other prizes. Playing at the Great Canadian Theatre Company until December 15, this work is proof that intellectually challenging plays can be a crowd-pleaser. For those not familiar […]

Several good plays have been performed in Ottawa over the last few months.  While some have been quite enjoyable, (others not so much), up to now no recent theatrical production in the city could be called a true standout. This has now changed with You Fancy Yourself, the award-winning solo show written and performed by Maja […]

Canadian federal politics, we are repeatedly told, is becoming increasingly polarised.  The person that many people blame for this division is Prime Minister Harper. A new comedy at the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC), however, offers a unique perspective on Canada’s federal leader, by presenting a witty story that challenges political partisans of all stripes. Opening the […]