OT - Company of Fools - AL Connors
AL Connors - Director - Interview
OTTAWA THEATRE REVIEW - A Midwinter's Dream Tale @ the Great Canadian Theatre Company
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For all you lovers of the written word, here's the review transcript:
A Midwinter's Dream Tale is a Company of Fools production for the Great Canadian Theatre Company that sees two clowns --Pommefrites and Restes- questing for ice cream in a gorgeous winter wonderland setting when they get caught up in a Shakespearean-styled drama in the Fairy Kingdom dealing with adultery, revenge, attempted infanticide, and monsters. I know it sounds dark but its fairies and clowns -- so it's actually hilarious.
Seriously. It's hilarious - and family friendly.
Take one dash comedy. One dash tragedy. Add clowns. And voila!
The cast, featuring Kelly Rigole as Titania, Adrian Proszowski as Oberon, and Jesse Buck as Puck is very talented and the two clowns, played by Scott Florence and Margo McDonald have been performing as a duo for ten years so have a chemistry and rapport that lets them really work off of each other. This means the acting, strategically-placed and occasionally inadvertent improv, and comedy equal top notch entertainment. If there's minor quibble to be had, the singing is pretty average, but it doesn't take anything away from the enjoyment of the play.
There's also the added bonus of some audience participation which is always fun because nothing is funnier than being able to make the joke or be the butt of the joke - happened several times for lucky audience members. Not to mention the crazy chaotic fun of a five person cast and eight person chorus running around not only on a fairly small stage but through the audience.
Those improv moments I mentioned, of which there were a handful, cleverly structured and crafted to continue the plot, let the audience know that the actors were having fun as well. And that's what's most important right? Fun. We want to be entertained. We want to have fun. And here, everybody's having fun. The more fun you have, the more fun the cast has, which continuously amps the energy level.
Who knew a quest for Ice Cream could lead to so much fun and adventure. Even if you're not a frequent theatre goer, do not miss this show.... Unless you're coulrophobic.
To see some more about A Midwinters Dream Tale, check out our preview to the show, featuring a sneak peak at a couple of scenes, plus interviews with Titania, Oberon, and Puck plus director AL Connors. And if that's not enough we also have a more in depth video where they talk about what it was like putting the show together, and the unique challenges of remounting the show which debuted at Winterlude 2009. Both are linked down below in the description.
OT - Company of Fools - Actors1
Richard Gelinas and Stephanie Izsak
Company Of Fools (song debut), Great Big Sea, PJ O'Brien's Pub, Toronto
Great Big Sea perform the Alan Doyle/Russell Crowe tune Company of Fools live for the first tine during a Fotune's Favour promo show (secret show) at PJ O'Brien's Pub in Toronto. June 2008
SHINING CITY seq.mov
A few moments from the dress rehearsal for the play Shining City by Conor McPherson.
Director John P Kelly shares some insights into the creative process.
This play features Richard Gélinas, Tom Charlebois, Nancy Kenny & Garrett Quirk.
Shining City is now playing at The Arts Court Theatre in Ottawa.
Company of Fools Circle Mirror Transformation.mov
Company of Fools production of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION by Annie Baker runs June 28 - July 23 at The Liberty Theatre in Hailey, ID.
Fool Muun Komming!
An otherworldly being is coming to meet you. Hurtling towards Earth inside a gigantic asteroid, it comes in peace! It loves humans, It would never hurt you. Well, not intentionally… With whiplash physicality, and kaleidoscopic imagination, École Philippe Gaulier grad Sam Kruger, presents a love letter to Sci-Fi and oddballs everywhere.
Winner: Outstanding Solo Performance – London Fringe
OTTAWA THEARE: A quick look at ODYSSEY THEATRE'S: A Game of Love and Chance
For full preview including photo gallery and such:
For full details including show times:
Video produced by Allan Mackey.
OTTAWA THEATRE - A Midwinter's Dream Tale @ GCTC - PREVIEW!
Full details: ||
Watch the review:
Meredith Luce — Emm Gryner / Cyndi Lauper mash-up (Live)
Meredith Luce performs was challenged by CBC host Alan Neal to do an iPod challenge, where she would perform the first song his iPod shuffled to. She actually took two songs and put them together — Sweet Destroyer by Emm Gryner, and Product of Misery by Cyndi Lauper. Filmed at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa, Canada — on March 8th, 2009.
All The World's A Stage - People Reading Shakespeare
All The World's A Stage... or at least Downtown Ottawa.
We asked people on the street to recite William Shakespeare's famous monologue, All The World's A Stage from his play, As You Like It.
a Company of Fools Theatre company will be putting on a production of As You Like It every night in a different park in Ottawa this Summer! For the complete schedule, go to fools.ca!
Filmed in the Byward Market, Major's Hill, Parliament Hill, and Canterbury High School in Ottawa.
A big thank you to all who participated!
Follow The Fools for more Foolish Fun!
Romeo and Juliet Flashmob in Chapters
a Company of Fools Theatre in Ottawa throws a Romeo and Juliet flashmob at the Chapters Rideau in Downtown Ottawa in honour of William Shakespeare's 450 birthday! Thanks to Folger Education for giving us the awesome idea!
fools.ca
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Company Overview
A Company of Fools has been delighting audiences all across Canada since 1990 as Ottawa's original professional Shakespeare company. Inspired by the rogue Elizabethan players that once entertained audiences out of doors and at the Globe theatre, we have built a reputation as a highly physical troupe doing interactive shows both indoors and out. The Fools mount two shows a year, perform at festivals, in schools,and at corporate events. Our award winning shows have toured all across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver to Yellowknife.
Being Fools, we combine physical theatre techniques of clown,mask and puppetry with the classical text. This unusual mix has earned us critical acclaim. Although known for our performances, the Fools are active in the field of education. We provide workshops and performances for elementary and high school students. We also program professional development workshops for emerging and established artists in the region.
The mandate of the Fools is to produce innovative,entertaining and accessible shows based on the works of William Shakespeare. We produce original works inspired by Shakespeare as well as performing his plays. We are a not-for-profit incorporation and a registered charity.
Fools 12th Night Green Screen raw
Take this video and add a new background. Post it on A Company of Fools Facebook Page. Win a chance to get free tickets to 12th Night!
Nuno Bettencourt - GuitarEdge
Rhianna 's new guitarist - Nuno Bettencourt
During the summer, Rihanna collaborated with rapper Eminem on Love the Way You Lie, which reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as other countries like Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden. The song was Rihanna's seventh number-one hit single on the Hot 100 of her career, making her the female artist with the fifth-most number-ones in the chart's history. In August, 2010, a wax figure of Rihanna was unveiled in Madame Tussauds in Washington D.C..
Rihanna will release her fifth studio album, Loud, on November 16, 2010.
Its lead single, Only Girl (In the World), was digitally released in the United States in September 2010.[78] In its second week, the song jumped to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in Canada and Australia.[79] She also released a self-titled book,[80] and is currently working on Peter Berg's film, Battleship, scheduled for release in 2012.[81] On October 20, 2010, Rihanna announced that she was parting ways with manager Marc Jordan and will henceforth be managed by Jay-Z's Roc Nation Management.[82] She is also starting her own company, Rihanna Entertainment, in which she will merge all of her businesses including music, film, fragrance, fashion and book ventures.
Volume 65 of the Contemporary Black Biography book series notes that Rihanna is the rare rhythm and blues (R&B) diva to emerge from the Caribbean world.[83] Becoming an international sensation, Rihanna is known for blending R&B with Caribbean music, such as reggae and dancehall. Peter Coulter of the Antrim Times commented that [Rihanna] has an amazing voice which showed during her acoustic set, she just needs to work on her audience engagement during live shows. At the time of her debut, reviewers referred to her as a bubblegum queen and her music to teen pop. Larry Meyler of The Sun stated that Rihanna going bad is very good and that she had [shaken] off any teen pop image as she rocked the stage.]While performing at the Ottawa Bluesfest, Denis Armstrong of Canadian Online Explorer commented on her performance saying her show was a Disney-esque choreographed fantasy of non-stop hip-swivelling, sassy attitude and personal endearments and a string of funky, sugar-free hits. After revealing a new image while headlining her first tour, she was likely to be criticized for her tight leather outfit during each show.[88] A review in The Times compared Rihanna's stage wardrobe styling to that of Janet Jackson. He described her outfit as a vision of Ann Summers couture in thigh-high boots and a few scraps of black PVC. Stuart Derdeyn of The Province commented that even with the whole haute couture B&D clearly firing on all points, she's still got a ways to go to become the new Janet Jackson.
Guitar Edge Magazine
Mayor 2
Mayor Jim Watson proclaims July 3, 2013 A Company of Fools Day in Ottawa!
Company of Fools A Year with Frog and Toad
A Sneak peak at Company of Fools production of A Year with Frog and Toad by Robert and Willie Reale
Linda Jamieson School of Dance
jamiesondance.com
Festival Update: What's on this week?
Kaylene let's us know what's happening this week. #GetFestive
ottawafestivals.ca
_______________________________________________
Canada Scene Festival:
1000 ARTISTS. 100 EVENTS. 1 FESTIVAL. CANADA SCENE is a living portrait – a daring, eclectic reflection of contemporary Canadian arts and culture.The festival will bring together artists from across our country in music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film, circus, culinary arts and more for an extraordinary national celebration. The festival will shine a spotlight on iconic artists who inspire us, dynamic artists who challenge us, and the diverse cultures that bring us together.
A Midsummer Night's Dream:
Celebrate with Ottawa’s award winning original professional Shakespeare company, a Company of Fools on their 15th anniversary of Torchlight Shakespeare with one of the Bard’s most beloved and whimsical comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Set against the backdrop of Ottawa parks, this delightful romp about love, mischief, magic and mistaken identities promises to be fast, physical and funny, with something to tickle and delight every ages, proving that Shakespeare should be seen and not read!
Music and Beyond:
Music and Beyond presents classical music in all formations. The festival pursues links between other art forms and cultural disciplines and music, including visual art, drama, poetry, dance, architecture, circus, magic, science, comedy, law, food and wine and even yoga. Music and Beyond is virtually unique in the international field of music festivals by making this a core part of its mandate. By tying together a wide range of cultural disciplines, the festival creates a more “festive” atmosphere, helping to attract an even broader audience to music. Music and Beyond strives to reach out to people of all cultural backgrounds and all demographics. A major part of its mandates is building new audiences for music and the arts, with a special emphasis on young people.
RBC Bluesfest:
Ranked among the top-10 outdoor music festivals in the world, this multi-staged music extravaganza features over 200 performances with some of the biggest names in the biz from Red Hot Chili Peppers to KISS to Skrillex to Lady Gaga and everything in between! The site is licensed and offers a wide variety of food and beverage options, on-site activations and more, all in the heart of Canada’s Capital City. July 6 – 16, 2017.
Festivals D'Ottawa: Quest-ce qui se passe cette semaine?
Kaylene let's us know what's happening this week. #GetFestive
ottawafestivals.ca
_______________________________________________
Canada Scene Festival:
1000 ARTISTS. 100 EVENTS. 1 FESTIVAL. CANADA SCENE is a living portrait – a daring, eclectic reflection of contemporary Canadian arts and culture.The festival will bring together artists from across our country in music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film, circus, culinary arts and more for an extraordinary national celebration. The festival will shine a spotlight on iconic artists who inspire us, dynamic artists who challenge us, and the diverse cultures that bring us together.
A Midsummer Night's Dream:
Celebrate with Ottawa’s award winning original professional Shakespeare company, a Company of Fools on their 15th anniversary of Torchlight Shakespeare with one of the Bard’s most beloved and whimsical comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Set against the backdrop of Ottawa parks, this delightful romp about love, mischief, magic and mistaken identities promises to be fast, physical and funny, with something to tickle and delight every ages, proving that Shakespeare should be seen and not read!
Music and Beyond:
Music and Beyond presents classical music in all formations. The festival pursues links between other art forms and cultural disciplines and music, including visual art, drama, poetry, dance, architecture, circus, magic, science, comedy, law, food and wine and even yoga. Music and Beyond is virtually unique in the international field of music festivals by making this a core part of its mandate. By tying together a wide range of cultural disciplines, the festival creates a more “festive” atmosphere, helping to attract an even broader audience to music. Music and Beyond strives to reach out to people of all cultural backgrounds and all demographics. A major part of its mandates is building new audiences for music and the arts, with a special emphasis on young people.
RBC Bluesfest:
Ranked among the top-10 outdoor music festivals in the world, this multi-staged music extravaganza features over 200 performances with some of the biggest names in the biz from Red Hot Chili Peppers to KISS to Skrillex to Lady Gaga and everything in between! The site is licensed and offers a wide variety of food and beverage options, on-site activations and more, all in the heart of Canada’s Capital City. July 6 – 16, 2017.
The Nutcracker 2018 | Algonquin Commons Theatre
Linda Jamieson Dance Company of Ottawa, in association with the Algonquin Commons Theatre, present The Nutcracker. This two act Ballet is not only a classic Christmas story, but is also a favourite amongst Linda Jamieson Dance Company audiences; new and old. Don’t miss out on this beloved performance this holiday season.
Friday December 7th @ 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Saturday, December 8th @ 1:00pm (Doors open at 12:30pm)
Saturday, December 8th @ 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Sunday, December 9th @ 1:00pm (Doors open at 12:30pm)
Sunday, December 9th @ 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30pm)