Above: Johnny Eaton, Mary Beth Pongrac, David Plouffe, George Dutch, Benoit Trudel, Robin Guy. Photo credit: Andre R. Gagne.
The Ottawa premiere of Arthur Miller’s The Creation of the World and Other Business is here! 9th Hour Theatre Company is bringing this thought-provoking production to the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre from July 23 to August 8 with a big top twist. Don’t miss your chance to catch some truly amazing summer theatre! Last year, 9th Hour received critical acclaim for its stand out production of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. This season, the company celebrates brilliant American playwright, Arthur Miller, on stage.
The Creation of the World and Other Business is the story of the “first family” like you’ve never seen it before! Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel are certainly familiar names but these characters come to life in a totally different way in Arthur Miller’s interpretation. Turning the traditional story on its head and playing with the theme of good versus evil, Miller takes the audience on an entertaining ride.
Raising questions about justice, humanity, motive and the Divine, this play explores a variety of perspectives. Humour, comedy, silliness are all part of this tale, but it is so much more than that. Drama, conflict and critical thought are equally important to the story. It is a compelling plot for all audiences—you don’t need to know the Book of Genesis to enjoy the performance!
“We decided such a seemingly familiar story needed a fresh approach, which is why we chose to present the play as a play within a play, a troupe of traveling circus performers telling a story. The physicality of the show is unparalleled to anything 9th Hour has ever done I would say, and so difficult bits of dialogue and heavy text passages come alive with “other business”, infused with a semblance of pseudo-circus imagery and interspersed with live musical interludes,” says Director Jonathan Harris.
But, wait! There’s more…
Eight post-show discussions will take place with “expert” panelists and artists from the production to discuss the content and themes of the play. Look out for Rabbi Reuven Bulka (Congregation Machzikei Hadas), Reverend Mark Whittall (St. Alban’s Anglican Church), Imam Mohamad Jebara (Cordova Spiritual Education Center), Alexandra Bender (Masters in Conflict Studies), and Gillian Wallace (Phd in Psychology of Religion).
You can buy tickets at the Great Canadian Theatre Company box office in person at 1233 Wellington Street West or by calling 613-236-5196. Click here to buy your ticket online.
For more information, click here.
