About Evolution Theatre

History

2011-12

  • Evolution Theatre’s first season as a Resident Company of the Arts Court Theatre
  • Ottawa English-language premiere of In The Eyes of Stone Dogs by Daniel Danis, translated by Linda Gaboriau in the Arts Court Theatre;
  • Production done in association with the Ottawa Theatre School (OTS)
    • Reviews: “another rowdy, throat-grabber of a show from Evolution.”
    – Kevin Reid, The Visitorium

2011

  • World English-language premiere of Little Martyrs by Dominick Parenteau-Lebeuf, translated by Mishka Lavigne, in Arts Court, Ottawa Dance Directive, Studio A;
    • Reviews: “ Give Evolution Theatre credit: these folks eagerly tackle difficult work that we might otherwise never see.”
    – Patrick Langston, Ottawa Citizen
    “This is a chance to watch Christopher Bedford at work, and see how this excellent director makes his way through a play that poses many challenges, but will certainly not leave you indifferent.”
    – Alvina Ruprehct, CBC Radio
  • World premiere of The Lavender Railroad by Lawrence Aronovitch.

    • Awards: Capital Critics Circle nomination, Joël Beddows, Best Director (Professional)
    Reviews: “A magnificent collaboration between four highly sensitive actors and a director that works with great precision and intuition. ”
    – Alvina Ruprehct, CBC Radio
    “The Lavender Railroad heralds a new era of contemporary theatre in Ottawa, presented by artists whose work is exceptionally sophisticated, intelligent and aesthetically stunning. But, then I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Evolution Theatre. ”
    – Alvina Ruprehct, CBC Radio

2010

  • Evolution Theatre turns 5 years old in December of 2010;
  • Development workshop of Little Martyrs (English version) - a translation of La petite scrap by Dominick Parenteau-Lebeuf, to be produced in 2011
  • Development workshops of Safe House and Ex Cathedra, two one-act companion pieces by Lawrence Aronovitch, to be produced in 2011;
  • Evolution Theatre is named one of three Resident Companies of the Arts Court Theatre.

2009

  • Evolution Theatre incorporated as a registered charity;
  • Ottawa English-language premiere of Roland Schimmelpfennig’s Arabian Night at Cube Gallery.
  • Canadian premiere of Mark Ravenhill’s pool (no water) in the Studio Theatre at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre
    • Reviews: “It’s sure that no other company in Ottawa is doing what Evolution dares to do. So do take a chance and go see it. It’s very good. ”
    – Alvina Ruprehct, CBC Radio
    “…smart and chilling…strong choral work, powerful physicality and some wickedly black humour distinguish the show. ”
    – Patrick Langston, Ottawa Citizen

2008

  • Christopher Bedford nominated for Emerging Artist at the 1st Annual Rideau Awards, which celebrate achievements in professional theatre in Ottawa for his directorial work on both Possible Worlds and Insomnia;
  • Evolution Theatre nominated for Emerging Artist/Company of the Year at the Golden Cherries;
  • Ottawa English-language premiere of Larry Tremblay’s The Ventriloquist, translated by Keith Turnbull;
    Reviews: “(Evolution Theatre is) an important contribution to the professional theatre scene in Ottawa.”
    – Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio
    Awards: Capital Critics Circle nomination, Christopher Bedford, Best Director (Professional)
    Rideau Award nomination, Lisa Twardowska, Outstanding Performance – Female
    Rideau Award nomination, Joshua McMillan, Outstanding Stage Management
  • Sold-out presentation of Daniel MacIvor’s This Is A Play at the Ottawa Fringe Festival – remounted in November as part of Meta Schmeta: An Evening of One-Act Plays, in conjunction with local companies Gruppo Rubato and mutatis mutandis;
    Reviews: “Chris Bedford is an exceptionally talented young man… (The show) is great fun!”
    – Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio
    “Comedy is hard to do well… (the cast) makes it look easy.”
    – Brian M. Carroll, Theatre Enthusiast
  • Ottawa English-language premiere of Dominic Champagne’s Playing Bare, translated by Shelley Tepperman;
    Reviews: “…shockingly moving.” – Jeremy Mesiano-Crookston, Ottawa XPress
    Awards: Best Theatrical Performance nomination, Ottawa XPress
    Rideau Award nomination, Joshua McMillan, Outstanding Stage Management
  • Evolution Theatre accepted as one of two Production Mentorship Companies through the Great Canadian Theatre Company;

2007

  • Critically acclaimed productions of John Mighton’s Possible Worlds and Daniel Brooks & Guillermo Verdecchia’s Insomnia;
    Reviews: “Chris Bedford works meticulously at pinpointing all the threads of meaning.”
    – Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio
    “ Insomnia leaves you tingling, alive with questions.”
    – Kat Fournier, Ottawa XPress
  • Evolution Theatre officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.

2006

  • Evolution Theatre founders Christopher Bedford, Linda Bedford and Nancy Kenny collaborate on an Ottawa Fringe Festival production.

2005

  • Inaugural Evolution Theatre production of Dario Fo’s We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! in the Léonard Beaulne Studio at the University of Ottawa;
  • Show performed in masks that were designed and created by the cast and crew;
  • Admission by donation to the Ottawa Food Bank.

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