This week, May 1st through May 4th, the graduating students in Canterbury High School’s drama program present two Canadian, community-themed plays straight from the 30s. We’ve got a detailed look at this double header produced by what are bound to be some of Ottawa’s (and Canada’s) next generation of performers.
If you’re a hard core follower of our work here, you’ll know that I’m a big supporter of emerging talent in this city. Being able to promote for established artists and companies is a great honour but greater still is having the chance to get out to the Ottawa Theatre School, or Algonquin College, or wherever to see the work of some of the folks who will help shape the future of our cultural identity, both locally, and nationally. For a couple of reasons, we rarely cover high school theatre, but when an actress I know at Canterbury (otherwise known as Ottawa’s arts high school — where the arts are a primary part of the curriculum) sent me an email about the upcoming shows being put on by their graduating class - how could I not?
Answer: Obviously, I did. And I’m really glad for that because both of these very different shows look great and are shows that are not only on my must see this week but that excite me to encourage others to get out to, purely because they look like a great time. (And not just for my love of the 20s/30s.)
Eliza Bulchak-Healey and Connor Spencer talk about Ten Lost Years and Schoolhouse.
Trouble with the video? Watch directly on Youtube instead.
Ten Lost Years and Schoolhouse are both Canadian works and both look at the theme of community, Ten Lost Years on a broad scale, and Schoolhouse on a smaller one.
Schoolhouse is a play set in rural Ontario in the year 1938. It follows the trials and tribulations of young teacher, Miss Linton, as she wrestles an unruly group that had fazed all other previous instructors into shape. Just when she thinks she has everything under control, she receives notice that a new pupil will be joining Jericho school - a transfer, from the Battenville Training School for boys. Struggling against the prejudices of a tight knit community, Miss Linton learns that the true role of a teacher extends beyond the bounds of a classroom.
Ten Lost Years is a collective-style play, written by Jack Winter and Cedric Smith, telling the true stories of people who lived in Canada during The Great Depression. Based on the critically-acclaimed book by Barry Broadfoot, Ten Lost Years uses music from the era, coupled with the touching genuine stories to provide a remarkable understanding of the struggles Canadians were faced with during The Depression.
And, worth noting that Ten Lost Years features of a cast of 29 - which adds a layer of depth, scope, and energy you’re unlikely to ever see elsewhere - playing somewhere around 300 characters between them.
Photos
All photos taken for Production Ottawa by David Pasho. Also check out the larger gallery on our Facebook page.
Show/Ticket Information
Both shows run from May 1 to May 4 at Canterbury High School (900 Canterbury Ave) with Ten Lost Years running at 5pm every day and Schoolhouse running at 7pm. Tickets are $15 for either show or $20 for the pair. (Student prices are $8 per show or $12 for the set.) Tickets can be reserved by calling 613-731-1191 ext. 333, by email at actgrads©gmail•com or at the door.
Find other information about the shows on their Facebook page or at the Facebook event page for either Schoolhouse or Ten Lost Years.
Bonus Video
A short clip of Eliza and Connor talking about the collective process of putting these shows together.
Trouble with the video? Watch directly on Youtube instead.
Other Media
(If you know of any press not listed here, leave us a comment or send us a note.)
What do you think? Have you or will you see the show? Tell us in the comments below.
Preview article prepared by Allan Mackey.
Video preview produced by Valley Wind Productions.
Video Producer: Allan Mackey
Photographer: David Pasho
