“Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools” is a Modern Arctic Gothic “Throngs erupted in cheering and chanting for hours, zealously celebrating the historic NBA team.” “'I'm living a dream': Raptors victory parade takes over Toronto,” CBC News, 2019 “The Arctic trails have their secret tales/ That would make your blood run cold.” “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” Robert W. … Continue reading “Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools” is a Modern Arctic Gothic
“Lungs” is an Honest Look at Humanity and the Human Condition
by Sarah Haley Tucked away in the library of the Arts Court, a 2018 Fringe favourite, Lungs, returns. Written by British Playwright Duncan Macmillan, Lungs tells the story of a couple discussing childbirth and its personal and ethical ramifications. Equally funny and heart-wrenching, this Cart Before the Horse remount is honest and emotional. Under the … Continue reading “Lungs” is an Honest Look at Humanity and the Human Condition
2017 In Review: What Have We Been Up To?
We’re at the point where a brand new year is around the corner and we find ourselves asking “what did we do this year?” In the spirit of a round-robin Christmas letter, we thought we’d let you know what our 2017 has been like… January proved to be an exciting start to the year for … Continue reading 2017 In Review: What Have We Been Up To?
EMBEDDED CRITICISM: Critics Become Stagehands for a Night
Blind Date @ GCTC November 30-December 17, 2017 Previews November 28 and 29 WHAT IS EMBEDDED CRITICISM? The traditional model for theatre criticism (and other art forms) involves a separation between artist and critic. The artist(s) create(s) a piece of theatre and present it, the critic attends the performance and writes their review, and never … Continue reading EMBEDDED CRITICISM: Critics Become Stagehands for a Night
On Reaching Out to the Media
One of the great things about digital media is that it’s a lot easier and faster for the publisher to open up a dialogue with the public: updating a problematic sentence on a web page is simple and guarantees that future readers will see the corrected version, whereas the corrections in a newspaper, for example, … Continue reading On Reaching Out to the Media
Upcoming Events 2017-2018
While local baristas are preparing for the onslaught of PSLs headed their way, the Ottawa theatre community is gearing up for another year jam-packed with performances. Yes, September is already in full swing which can only mean the launch of new seasonal programming at numerous venues across the city (NAC, GCTC, La Nouvelle Scene, OLT, … Continue reading Upcoming Events 2017-2018
Ottawa’s theatre criticism landscape is changing
By Tamara LaPlante On November 21, 2011, Iain Armitage posted his first theatre review to his YouTube channel: IainLovesTheatre. He was three years old at the time. After seeing a production of Hairspray at Signature Theatre, Armitage filmed a 34 second stand-up with his reactions to the musical. His channel is one example of the … Continue reading Ottawa’s theatre criticism landscape is changing
New Criticism & Writing From a Place of Privilege
Edited by Caitlin Gowans The hype around #Canada150 has seemingly come and gone and like many others, I spent Canada Day in reflection. On this occasion there was an outpouring of ‘think pieces’ from white individuals, myself included, stating their discomfort or feelings of awkwardness in regards to celebrating Canada Day this year because of … Continue reading New Criticism & Writing From a Place of Privilege
Online Criticism & Artistic Darwinism
Are online theatre critics, or digital content creators in general, artists? To answer this seemingly rhetorical question, let me begin with a story: Not too long ago I found myself walking in a park in a quiet town in Germany and sat down by the edge of a pond, where I was greeted by an … Continue reading Online Criticism & Artistic Darwinism
Cultural Exchange|Theatrefullstop
"Introducing a new segment to both Theatrefullstop and New Ottawa Critics. As two independent blogger collectives, we are both inspired by what theatrically is happening beyond our borders. Each month, we will correspond with all the latest happenings in our cultural cities. This is an opportunity to learn, be inspired, communicate and collaborate!"- Lucy Basaba, … Continue reading Cultural Exchange|Theatrefullstop
The New Ottawa Critics 