News Release

NAC English Theatre presentation
The Pigeon King
by REBECCA AUERBACH, JASON CHESWORTH, GIL GARRATT, GEORGE MEANWELL, J.D. NICHOLSEN, GEMMA JAMES SMITH, BIRGITTE SOLEM and SEVERN THOMPSON
Directed by SEVERN THOMPSON
A Blyth Festival Production
April 24 – May 5, 2019

April 5, 2019 – OTTAWA (Canada) – “The Pigeon King soars…a great experience that shouldn’t be missed.”  – North Huron Citizen

In one of the wildest frauds in Canadian history, and what the New York Times called “The Pigeon King and the Ponzi scheme that shook Canada,” farmer Arlan Galbraith built a bird-breeding empire called Pigeon King International, using investments from hundreds of his nearly insolvent neighbours.

Claiming he had access to lucrative pigeon markets in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, over the next seven years Galbraith offered a lifeline of financial hope to people whose luck had nearly run out. But was he really a scheming con man? Or a hapless victim of his own preposterous dream?

“Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt spotted this incredible story from Perth County in the New York Times. “What an incredible play this would make!” he said.  He was right!” – Jillian Keiley, NAC English Theatre Artistic Director.

The Pigeon King tells Galbraith’s incredible story, and reminds us that even well-meaning lies eventually come home to roost.

Featuring Rebecca Auerbach, Greg Gale, Gil Garratt, George Meanwell, J.D. Nicholsen and Birgitte Solem.

The creative team includes Director Severn Thompson; Set and Lighting Designer Steve Lucas; Costume Designer Gemma James Smith; Sound Designer Verne Good; Associate Designer Production and Sound  Jeff Pybus; Stage Manager Heather Thompson; and Assistant Stage Manager Lori Anderson.

The Pigeon King
April 24 – May 5, 2019
Babs Asper Theatre

Previews:
Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25
Opens:
Friday, April 26

The Pigeon King Points of View:
Saturday, April 27 at 12:45 p.m. in Peter A. Herrndorf Place
A chance to engage more deeply with this production through an encounter with two special guests, each offering their own unique perspective on the piece.

Talkbacks:
Wednesday, May 1 and Thursday, May 2.
Stay in your seats for a post-show question-and-answer session with cast members of The Pigeon King.

Performance Schedule:

7:30 p.m. nightly Wednesday, April 24 through Saturday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 30 through Saturday, May 4;
Saturdays April 27 and May 4 at 2 p.m.;
Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m.
(no performance Monday.)

Tickets:
From $29 to $89

Tickets are available:

• Online on the NAC’s website: www.nac-cna.ca
• In person at the NAC Box Office at 1 Elgin Street
• At all Ticketmaster outlets**
• By telephone 1-888-991-2787**
  **A service charge applies to all purchases made through Ticketmaster.

Groups of 10 or more contact grp@nac-cna.ca or visit www.nac-cna.ca

Find out more about the NAC English Theatre on Facebook and YouTube. To discover some fascinating facts about The Pigeon King, visit nac-cna.ca/englishtheatre.

Embassy Hotel and Suites is proud to be the Official Hotel Partner for the National Arts Centre English Theatre.

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Sean Fitzpatrick
Communications Officer, English Theatre
Agent de communication, Théâtre anglais
sean.fitzpatrick@nac-cna.ca
613 947-7000 x389
613 899-9737
nac-cna.ca