Tempting Providence, a Theatre Newfoundland Labrador Production, at GCTC
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Great Canadian Theatre Company is pleased to present Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s production of Tempting Providence by Robert Chafe, the fourth play and stage in the Stages season, previewing January 6 and 7, officially opening on January 8 and closing on January 25 at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.
Directed by Jillian Keiley, Tempting Providence was commissioned by Theatre Newfoundland Labrador and premiered at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival on June 1, 2002. Since its premier, the production has enjoyed international success, playing to more than 70,000 people in more than 350 performances in nine Canadian provinces, one territory, Ireland, England, Scotland and Canberra & Tasmania, Australia.
Tempting Providence brings the true story of Nurse Myra Bennett to the stage. In 1921, Nurse – as she insisted on being called – moved from her home in England to Newfoundland to provide the only medical services along the 350 kilometres of Newfoundland’s rural northern coast. Originally intending to stay for only two years, she never left. She delivered more than 700 babies, extracted over 3500 teeth and performed operations on her kitchen table by lamplight.
GCTC Artistic Director, Lise Ann Johnson, first saw Tempting Providence while in Cow Head at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in its premier season. “This little-play-that-could was already creating huge buzz among the town and its visitors. Audience members were so taken with Robert Chafe’s beautiful storytelling, the talented ensemble and Jillian Keiley’s dynamic staging. Who knew so much theatrical magic could be evoked with just a table, a tablecloth and four chairs?”
Johnson chose this play as the fourth installment in the 2008 – 2009 Stages season to represent the stage of giving life because, “The play touches on all of the stages of life, and shines a spotlight on the cyclical nature of birth and death.” As well, says Johnson, “Tempting Providence is in keeping with GCTC’s long history of bringing great Canadian stories about unknown Canadian heroes to Ottawa audiences.”
The costumes of Tempting Providence are designed by Barry Buckle, and the lighting design is by Walter J. Snow. The pre & post-show music is by Rufus Guinchard, selections from Father of the Newfoundland Fiddle Vol. 1. Stage management is by Beth Bartle. With combined experience totaling over 12 years touring internationally, Tempting Providence stars Melanie Caines as “Women,” Deidre Gillard-Rowlings as “Myra,” Darryl Hopkins as “Angus,” and Robert Wyatt Thorne as “Men.”
In accompaniment with the production there is an art gallery exhibition in the Lorraine “Fritzi” Yale Gallery in the Upper Lobby of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, curated by Don Monet of CUBE Gallery. Inspired by the play itself, the artwork of Anne Alcorn will explore the dichotomy between the orderliness of science and the randomness of nature. Born in Digby, Nova Scotia and raised in Halifax and Dartmouth, Alcorn moved to Ottawa and worked as a civil servant until 2001 when she left to become a full-time artist.The exhibition is open from Tuesday, January 6 until Friday, February 20. The exhibition is free to the public.
--30--
Media Call:
Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 1:30 p.m., Irving Greenberg Theatre, 1233 Wellington Street West (at Holland). Please confirm attendance and any requests for interviews of company members.
GCTC Media Contact(s):
Kevin Falkingham, Marketing & Communications Manager
publicity@gctc.ca
(613) 236-5192 x229
Jessica Rashotte, Marketing Coordinator
jrashotte@gctc.ca
(613) 236-5192 x229
