April 6, 2016
Legendary stage director André Brassard will make a rare appearance at the vernissage of the multimedia exhibition Échos –André Brassard, Tuesday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m. at the National Arts Centre (NAC). The former artistic director of NAC French Theatre (1982–90) will be joined by the current artistic director, Brigitte Haentjens, and two... Read more
April 5, 2016
It was with great sadness the National Arts Centre (NAC) has learned of the death of actress Rita Lafontaine, one of Canada’s greatest French-language artists. The prolific actress performed in more than a dozen works at the NAC, including Lysistrata, the very first French-language theatre play presented at the NAC in June 1969, as well as the world premiere of the seminal Albertine, en cinq... Read more
March 31, 2016
What would life be like without theatre? Ottawa, 31 March 2016 – 2016-2017 marks the fifth season with Brigitte Haentjens as artistic director of the NAC’s Théâtre français. In keeping with her previous seasons she pursues theatre that engages with society, that takes risks, actively promoting women creators and the art of theatre, theatre that confounds,... Read more
January 28, 2016
Un vent se lève qui éparpille making its première at the NAC Théâtre français with English surtitles on Friday Feb. 12 February 10 – 13 at 8 p.m. in the NAC Studio The door slams behind him like a shot from a .22; A crow takes flight On the other side of the screen door, a woman forever frozen, her mouth open: a pillar of salt The man might come... Read more
January 13, 2016
Once upon a time lived another Snow Queen… One fine morning Kay decides to leave Gerda. He wants to go far away, over there where the snowflakes dance and the ice glistens, but that’s not what the courageous little girl hears. She decides to brave the cold and, at the risk of freezing, embarks on a long quest to find her friend. Sound familiar? The result of a collaboration between... Read more
December 8, 2015
An NAC French Theatre presentation Recommended for ages 5 to 99! No spoken words in the performance Surrounding the ring, an array of inward-facing fans. In the middle, a rather odd-looking puppeteer who is using the breeze from the fans to breathe life into some unconventional characters: dozens of multicoloured plastic bags. Caught on the rising drafts, the little bags perform an... Read more
November 27, 2015
LÀ OÙ J’HABITE Capturing the stars An NAC French Theatre presentation December 5 & 6 at 9:30 & 11 a.m. in the NAC Studio Recommended for ages 2 to 5 Note: Both performances will be in French. Téoù (“Where-Are-You”) and Téqui (“Who-Are-You”) are bursting with a hundred questions bigger than a thousand houses. Why... Read more
November 27, 2015
(Instructions to Any Future Socialist Government Wishing to Abolish Christmas) December 9 to 12 at 8 p.m. Additional performance: December 13 at 2 p.m. Performed in French “Michael Mackenzie does not condemn the model of high finance that is his subject. He addresses dehumanization, individualization, and the depository of individual and social values, but he never... Read more
November 23, 2015
November 23, 2015 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre (NAC) announced today that it will begin renovations of its 46 year-old building in December 2015, earlier than originally anticipated. The impacts of this shift are being felt across the entire organization, specifically resulting in the moving or cancellation of daytime performances, including student matinees.... Read more
November 12, 2015
There are five of them. They succeed one another, detest one other, love and betray each other, and share the same blood. They have risen from the mists of time, yet remain quite contemporary. They spend their lives waiting to be at the top, but once they reach the summit their downfall begins. Richard II, Henri IV, Henri V, Henri VI and Richard III are the component elements of... Read more