Ottawa, Ontario – On Tuesday, April 19, 2011, in the Studio of Canada’s National Arts Centre, Peter Hinton, Artistic Director of the NAC English Theatre, revealed the lineup for the 2011-12 season.

The nine outstanding productions announced represent the very best theatre has to offer, with each play marking a signature work from theatre artists at the height of their creative powers.

“These artists have made an enormous name for themselves in Canada and abroad, expressing the very best of drama, comedy, musical and classical theatre,” said Mr. Hinton. “This is a season of work that will provide great inspiration, enjoyment and stimulation, and that is truly a signature of what makes the National Arts Centre such a special place.”

The Theatre, Studio and Family series in 2011-12 will let audiences experience everything from Shakespeare to new Canadian works to wildly imaginative programming with family in mind.

The Theatre Series begins with David French’s heart-warming romantic comedy Salt-Water Moon, the most popular of his Mercer family series. Next up in December is Lionel Bart’s show-stopping musical Oliver!, bringing the spirit of Charles Dickens to the holiday season. 2012 kicks off with a revival of one of Canada’s most successful shows, 2 Pianos 4 Hands. This production stars the original creators acting and playing two grand pianos: the virtuosic Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt.  In the spring, marionette maestro Ronnie Burkett, celebrating 25 years of entertaining audiences around the world, brings his latest creation, Penny Plain, to the NAC. Wrapping up the Theatre Series is William Shakespeare’s monumental King Lear, set in Canada during the Iroquois/Huronia Wars, starring August Schellenberg as Lear, and featuring an all Aboriginal cast.

The Studio Series begins with Michel Nadeau’s nuanced exploration of life and art, And Slowly Beauty..., translated by Maureen Labonté. In late January, hot on the heels of last season’s nativity, comes Peter Anderson’s Creation, a very funny take on the Old Testament.  Finally, the latest work by one of Canada’s most acclaimed playwrights, Daniel MacIvor, brought to Ottawa by some of the very best theatre artists in Nova Scotia – Communion, a play which reminds us that “it’s not the darkness we fear, but the light behind the door”.

The Family Series features, along with Oliver! and Creation, a very special interactive performance for children, Monster Makers from Toronto’s Mammalian Diving Reflex. Here children take the lead, creating a Monster as horrible as they can imagine, and are left with the task of teaching that monster how to behave. 

The NAC English Theatre research and development project The Ark returns this September as it sets sail for Fogo Island, Newfoundland, where, in partnership with the Fogo Island Arts Corporation, The Ark will dedicate its dramaturgy to the work of Norwegian poet and playwright Henrik Ibsen.

In 2011-12 The NAC English Theatre Company will be featured in five productions across the Theatre and Studio series. The artists who will make up the NAC English Theatre Company will be announced this coming spring and fall.

Education and Outreach programs for students and adults alike will be served through Hinterviews, talkbacks and, the NAC English Theatre’s Student Club.

Save up to 30% - Subscription packages from $86 for 5 plays! Subscribe by May 6^th and be entered to win a trip to New York City!

The webcast of the launch is now on-line at live.nac-cna.ca. For full information of the 2011-12 season, click www.nac-cna.ca/en/theatre.

And that’s not all – more exciting announcements on the way!

There are so many reasons to subscribe - and more to experience at the NAC English Theatre this season!

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For more information about the NAC English Theatre 2011-12 season, and to schedule an interview with Peter Hinton, please contact Sean Fitzpatrick, Communications Officer for the NAC English Theatre at (613) 947 7000 ext. 389; (613) 899-9737; sfitzpat@nac-cna.ca