Great Canadian Theatre Company Cancels You Fancy Yourself and Announces Presentation of Blood on the Moon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -­‐ OTTAWA, ONTARIO – January 2, 2012
With great sadness, Lise Ann Johnson, GCTC’s Artistic Director announced the cancellation of You Fancy Yourself by Maja Ardal, one of Canada’s most formidable theatrical talents.

“Due to serious health concerns, Ms. Ardal is unable to travel to Ottawa to perform her wonderful autobiographical play about growing up in Edinburgh. We wish Maja and her family all the best, and hope to bring You Fancy Yourself to Ottawa audiences at a later date,” said Ms. Johnson. You Fancy Yourself was to be performed at GCTC from January 17 to February 5, 2012.

Ms. Johnson went on to announce that GCTC will present a “terrific” show for the exact same performance dates. Pierre Brault has agreed to remount his award winning play Blood on the Moon. “We are delighted. I saw the play in its first incarnation, and Pierre’s dissection of the trial of James Patrick Whelan for the assassination of Thomas D’Arcy McGee had an incredible impact on me. As an actor, Pierre turns in a riveting tour-­‐de-­‐force performance, and as a playwright, he manages to graft a gripping mystery onto a genuine Ottawa story.”

Pierre Brault was contacted by Lise Ann Johnson over the holidays and said he was very pleased to be able help. "While I am saddened to hear the news about Maja, I am honoured to be asked to step in with Blood on the Moon,” added Mr. Brault. “This play helped launch my solo career and of all my work it is the one I am still asked about the most. I look forward to introducing this amazing story of our local and national history to a whole new generation of Ottawa theatre lovers."

“Audiences and reviewers across Canada and Ireland enthusiastically embraced the show when it was first performed over a decade ago and now we’re very pleased to bring Blood on the Moon back to very popular acclaim as our first show of 2012,” said Ms. Johnson.

Ticket information:

GCTC subscribers and those who purchased single tickets for You Fancy Yourself and want to see Blood on the Moon simply contact GCTC's box office to confirm they will attend on the same date and show time. If subscribers or single ticket holders don't want to see Blood on the Moon, GCTC will exchange the ticket for one of the remaining shows in our 2011-­‐2012 season. GCTC’s Box Office will be open on January 3, 2012 at 10:00am. Call 613-­‐236-­‐5196 or visit www.gctc.ca

About the play:

In the year 1868 in the frontier town of Ottawa, James Patrick Whelan stood accused of the murder of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, a fellow Irish immigrant who had since risen to become one of Canada's most influential politicians. The evidence against Whelan was circumstantial, yet led him to his death before thousands of jeering spectators in what would become Canada's last public hanging.

Blood on the Moon

Written and performed by Pierre Brault

Directed by John Koensgen

Lighting design by Martin Conboy

Sound design by Marc Desormeaux

Stage Managed by Samira Rose

Blood on the Moon is a Sleeping Dog Theatre production in association with the National Arts Centre English Theatre

Pierre Brault as James Patrick Whelan

Photo by Lydia Pawelak

The Fritzi Gallery, located on the second floor of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre (GCTC), will exhibit paintings by architect and artist, Peter Dolan. These paintings were inspired by Maja Ardal’s You Fancy Yourself and can be viewed from January 17 to February 5, 2012. The vernissage will be on Thursday January 19, from 6-­‐8 p.m. The Fritzi Gallery offers the public a unique dialogue between two artistic disciplines – theatre and fine art. The work you see on the gallery walls reflects the artist’s impressions and emotional response to a script.

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Media Contact:
Sheilagh D’Arcy McGee
Media Relations – GCTC
media@gctc.ca
613-236-5192 ext. 239