by Sarah Haley As humans, we have always had a fondness for dogs. Indeed, they are (wo)man’s best friend. Ottawa Little Theatre’s season opener, Sylvia by A.R. Gurney,is the story of the bond between a man and the stray dog he rescues. Billed as a comedy with a similar plotline to the musical Annie, it is … Continue reading Ottawa Little Theatre’s “Sylvia” Showcases Strong Performances in Spite of Outdated Script
“The Unexpected Guest” is a Captivating End to OLT’s 2017-2018 Season
by Sarah Haley The Ottawa Little Theatre closes its 2017-2018 season with Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest. The choice of play, however, is more than expected. Christie’s work often graces the OLT stage and for good reason: her plays are well written, well-constructed, and incredibly engaging to watch. While The Unexpected Guest may not be … Continue reading “The Unexpected Guest” is a Captivating End to OLT’s 2017-2018 Season
“Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily”: Plenty of Potential, but Ultimately Unsatisfying
by Sarah Haley The stories of Detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson have remained in the popular imagination since their introduction through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Their popularity has allowed them to grace many stages, including the Ottawa Little Theatre. Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the … Continue reading “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily”: Plenty of Potential, but Ultimately Unsatisfying
An Uneasy Story: Ottawa Little Theatre’s “A Streetcar Named Desire”
by Sarah Haley Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire was once a harrowing insight into the class conflict between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ American South. In the modern day, the intentions of the play are much less palpable. Right from the onset, it is clear that cultivating the impression of being in the heart … Continue reading An Uneasy Story: Ottawa Little Theatre’s “A Streetcar Named Desire”
“Educating Rita” is Relevant but Unfocused
Ottawa Little Theatre kicks off its 105th season with Willy Russell’s Educating Rita. The play centres around themes that are just as applicable to Ottawa in 2017 as they were when it first premiered in London in 1980, but the details of the script, such as the cultural references and English dialect, feel dated and … Continue reading “Educating Rita” is Relevant but Unfocused
“Pardon Me, Prime Minister” Makes for Perfect Summer Theatre
Pardon Me, Prime Minister closes out Ottawa Little Theatre’s 104th season. This British farce, though a bit dated, has a snappy comic pace (especially in the second act) and a silly premise that makes it perfect for summer community theatre. In the Prime Minster’s office at 10 Downing Street at some point in the 1970s, … Continue reading “Pardon Me, Prime Minister” Makes for Perfect Summer Theatre
A Local Guide to Celebrating World Theatre Day 2017
“Within these twenty-four hours we may be taken from France to Russia, from Racine and Moliere to Chekhov; we can even cross the Atlantic as a bolt of inspiration to serve on a Campus in California, enticing a young student there to reinvent and make their name in theatre. Indeed, theatre has such a thriving … Continue reading A Local Guide to Celebrating World Theatre Day 2017
“next to normal” is a Production Worthy of Accolades
Trepidation: the feeling that inexplicably fills my body whenever I encounter a production that focuses solely on mental health. Though, perhaps, it is not so inexplicable: in my limited (but continually expanding) theatregoing experience, sometimes theatre performance that attempts to destigmatize mental illnesses only reinforces those same stigmatizations or stereotypes despite their good intentions. This … Continue reading “next to normal” is a Production Worthy of Accolades
“The Lion in Winter” Offers Political Intrigue and Aging Wisdom
In 1183, King Henry II of England spends his Christmas with family and a couple of guests. Yet, with his wife as his political prisoner, his three constantly scheming sons, as well as his mistress and her cousin the King of France all under one roof, Henry's Christmas is far from a quiet night. Very early, … Continue reading “The Lion in Winter” Offers Political Intrigue and Aging Wisdom
Lucy: A Wandering Soul
Lucy: A Wandering Soul Aliza Itskovich (Age 14) I recently saw Lucy, written by David Coleman and directed by Elizabeth Chant, at the Youth Infringement Festival. A look into an angsty and rebellious mind, this play has both sides of the moon, dark and bright, representing moments in the title character’s life. This play is … Continue reading Lucy: A Wandering Soul
The New Ottawa Critics 