PETER HINTON - Artistic Director

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Three years ago when I took the helm of English Theatre at the NAC, I was interested in exploring the concept of a national theatre for our country. What is a national theatre for Canada today, and what shapes and informs the repertoire of plays we present?

In 2006-07, we programmed the first all-Canadian season in the history of the NAC, and presented audiences with stories that spoke to the role of artist in society. From Mexican culture and politics, to Maritime jazz, from conflicts in the Middle East to a celebration of the life an work of Ojibway painter Noraval Morriseau, that season clearly demonstrated that Canadian plays are, among other things, diverse, wide-ranging, and more than willing to tackle vital and complex issues.

I am proud that some of that work has gone on to national and international exposure.  Our co-production of Wajdi Mouwad’s Scorched will be presented in Montreal, Winnipeg, Toronto and Edmonton in 08-09 alone, and Nadia Ross’s 7 Important Things is currently touring to theatre festivals in Vienna, Berlin, Sydney and Montreal.

In 2007-08, we looked to the past for inspiration, and presented a nine-play season of classical works and new plays inspired by classical subjects or themes. The undisputed success of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, our coproduction with the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, not only delivered an enormous vote of confidence in our writers, actors and creative artists, but jolted us out of our typically Canadian humility and proved how much of a place we do hold on the world stage. Looking to the classics reminded us of the great traditions in English-language theatre and how rich a contemporary season of plays can be when complemented by the classics.

This season we complete the journey, with a programme that includes international plays and productions, Canadian work that explores another country or culture, and Canadian artists who have made a name for themselves on the world stage. Canada is a land of immigrants, and most important, a land of varied and dynamic First Nations people who were here long before the European settlers arrived.

I believe that a truly dynamic culture measures itself by celebrating its best, honouring its past and looking to other cultures and countries for perspective and insight. While by no means conclusive, the 2008-09 season brings you 20th -century landmark plays from Ireland, Sweden and the United States, and welcomes artists from India, Sri-Lanka and South Africa. We are thrilled to bring new productions of plays set in Scotland and in China that examine the cultural diaspora from a uniquely Canadian perspective, and have included a revival of one of Canada’s most important plays, a tribute to the spirit and struggles of the First Nations within this country.

So where do we go from here?

In exploring this repertoire, I have gotten to know audiences, our artists and our country better. Our hope for the future is to create a national company that will present Canadian, classical and international work in Ottawa, in annual repertoire across Canada, and around the world.

Welcome to the 2008-09 season. As on any good road trip, there are many eagerly anticipated destinations, welcome surprises, and new people and places along the way. I wish you bon voyage!

Peter Hinton