NAC English Theatre production
The December Man (L’homme de décembre)
by Colleen Murphy
NAC Studio November 16 - 28
NAC english theatre production
The December Man (L’homme de dÉcembre)
by Colleen Murphy
Directed by Sarah Garton Stanley
November 16 - 28, 2015
November 5, 2015 – OTTAWA (Canada) – “…no (one) should miss the chance to see this.” – Vancouver Sun
On December 6, 1989, a young man by the name of Marc Lépine entered a college classroom at the École Polytechnique in Montreal carrying a gun. Stepping into a classroom, he separated the male and female students, claiming that he was "fighting feminism.” After forcing the men to leave, he shot all nine women in the room, killing six. From there he moved through the school, specifically targeting women to shoot. Overall, he killed fourteen women and injured ten others along with four men in just under 20 minutes, before turning the gun on himself.
Colleen Murphy’s The December Man (L’homme de décembre), winner of the 2007 Governor General's Literary Award for drama, looks beyond the headlines of the massacre, creating a story of a fictional student named Jean, a man who was in the room with Marc Lépine and survived.
In the aftermath of that attack, Benoît and Kathleen try to help their beloved son Jean deal with the guilt of surviving what so many women did not. Seething with rage and powerlessness, Jean's life has come unglued.
With humour, empathy and the routine of everyday life, the narrative moves backwards in time to the fateful day when Jean survived. With devastating honesty and scalpel-like precision, this searing drama explores the nature of courage and the private shadows cast by public violence.
The gravity of December 6, 1989 will be forever burned into the collective consciousness of all Canadians. Each year we remember the events of that day and honour the memory of the women who were killed.
4 Stars “...engrossing, heartbreaking, and dramatic. You can't help but become a part of the lives of these three ordinary people.” – Edmonton Sun
Featuring NAC Ensemble members Kayvon Kelly and Paul Rainville and Guest Artist
Kate Hennig.
Joining Ms Stanley in the creation of this work are Set, Prop and Costume Designer Amy Keith; Lighting Designer Andrea Lundy; Sound Designer Michael Leon; Assistant Director Brad Long; Apprentice Director Tawiah M’Carthy; Assistant Set, Prop and Costume Designer Elahe Marjovi; Stage Manager Laurie Champagne; and Apprentice Stage Manager Jacki Brabazon.
The December Man (L’homme de décembre)
November 16 - 28
NAC Studio
Pay-What-You-Can Performance:
Monday, November 16
Previews:
Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 18
Opens:
Thursday, November 19
The December Man (L’homme de décembre) Points of View:
Saturday, November 21 at 12:45 p.m. in the NAC Salon
Experience this English Theatre production through an encounter with two special guests, each offering their own unique perspective on the piece.
Talkbacks:
Wednesday, November 25 and Thursday, November 26.
Stay in your seats for a post-show question-and-answer session with members of the Ensemble.
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 2 pm
(no performances on Sunday or Monday)
Tickets:
From $33 to $46
Tickets are available:
- Online on the NAC’s website: www.nac-cna.ca
- In person at the NAC Box Office
- At all Ticketmaster outlets**
- By telephone 1-888-991-2787**
**A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.
Groups of 10 or more contact grp@nac-cna.ca or visit www.nac-cna.ca
Find out more about the NAC English Theatre on Facebook and YouTube. To discover some fascinating facts about The December Man (L’homme de décembre), visit nac-cna.ca/englishtheatre.
Embassy Hotel & Suites is proud to be the Official Hotel Partner for the National Arts Centre English Theatre.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEW REQUESTS, PLEASE CONTACT:
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