Stage Door News
Stage Door News
OTTAWA May 17, 2016 - Great Canadian Theatre Company and the County of Carleton Law Association bring a rollicking comedy to the stage for the 17th Annual Lawyer Play fundraiser. Adapted by Christopher Sergel and based on the book by Leonard Wibberley, The Mouse That Roared assembles one of the largest casts ever to appear on the stage at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.
“The Committee is delighted to be working with such a large and enthusiastic cast this year, ”said Tara Berish, Co-Chair of The Lawyer Play Committee. “The energy at rehearsals is incredible, and is assisted by both a fun script and brilliant director that really encourage us to let loose. We hope the audience will have as much fun as we’re having!”
The 26 person cast of lawyers and judges will continue the annual tradition of shedding their robes and suits for theatrical costumes in one preview performance and three gala performances from June 1st to 4th. Helmed by returning director Geoff McBride, The Mouse that Roared also features some famous faces making rare stage appearances for special cameos: City Councillor Jeff Leiper (June 1); Regional Senior Justice Hugh Fraser and senior partner at Augustine Bater Binks, Mary Jane Binks (June 2); CBC Ottawa’s David Gerow (June 3); provincial MPP The Hon. Yasir Naqvi and one of the most recognizable voices in radio, CBC’s Laurence Wall (June 4).
The Lawyer Play is one of the legal community’s longest running and most successful fundraisers. Over the past 17 years, they’ve raised over $1,300,000 in support of GCTC productions and selected charity partners. This year, The Lawyer Play Committee selected Salus, an Ottawa charity that provides life-changing housing and support services to people living with serious mental illness.“We are always humbled by the commitment made by the legal community to this Annual Fundraiser,” says GCTC Managing Director Hugh Neilson. “The unbelievable number of hours they contribute to GCTC and charity partners like Salus have an incredibly positive impact on our organizations. Funds raised allow us to deliver a wide range of programs that benefit many communities and help ensure a healthy, caring and vibrant city.” Lisa Ker, Executive Director of Salus feels it’s a tremendous honour to have been selected. “The partnership is particularly significant this year as we prepare to open our 14th building which will provide 42 new homes for individuals who are living with a serious mental illness and have been living on the street and in shelters for over five years.”
About the play:
When a western superpower begins producing a unique wine that is the tiny nation of Grand Fenwick’s only export, the little country’s entire economy collapses. Things look dire until Prime Minister Rupert Mountjoy points out that no country that has declared war on the superpower – and then lost – has ever gone hungry. But when Field Marshall Tully Bascom and the 23 other men in the Grand Fenwick army invade the superpower, their plan to immediately surrender unravels…
Tickets
Tickets for the Gala evenings (June 2, 3, and 4) are $110 and include a post-show reception and a $60 tax receipt. Tickets for the Preview performance on June 1 are SOLD OUT. Tickets are available through any cast member or at the GCTC Box Office by calling 613-236-5196 or online at www.gctc.ca.
About GCTC
GCTC celebrates its 42st season in 2016–17. Its mission is to foster, produce and promote excellent theatre that provokes examination of Canadian life and our place in the world. GCTC is committed to the production of new Canadian work and artist development. We continue to commission and workshop new plays by emerging and established playwrights. We mentor emerging companies and artists through residencies and in-kind support.
2016-05-17
Ottawa: 26 lawyers take the stage in the GCTC Lawyer Play Fundraiser "The Mouse That Roared"