Lively Historical Satire Launches at the NAC in a Sold-Out Co-Production with the Great Canadian Theatre Company and Native Earth Performing Arts

JANUARY 9, 2024 – OTTAWA (Canada) – Francis Končan’s Women of the Fur Trade is a comedic and playful look at Canadian history, re-examining the narratives of Treaty 1 territory, the fur trade era, and the building of a new nation through a vibrant mix of rom-com and satirical gold.

With the British advance and confederation becoming increasingly inescapable, we meet three women in a fort along the banks of the Reddish River. Unable to go anywhere, they sit together, sharing work, tea, and thoughts about the heartthrob Louis Riel and his assistant, Thomas Scott.

Končan's irreverent touch pokes fun at the sober precision of colonial recorded history, connecting our shared past, present, and future. Co-produced with the Great Canadian Theatre Company and Native Earth Performing Arts, this sold-out production hits the stage at the National Art Centre’s Azrieli Studio from January 17 - 27 before heading to Native Earth Performing Arts’ Aki Studio in April.

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

For more information and showtimes, please visit: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/33715

GREAT CANADIAN THEATRE COMPANY (GCTC)

The Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) is celebrating its 49th Season in 2023-24. GCTC is dedicated to producing outstanding theatre that provokes examination of (Canadian) life and our place in the world. GCTC aims to increase the diversity on its stages, in its creative teams, make its work inclusive for more audiences, and deepen their experience. GCTC embraces artistic risk and promotes a wide range of theatrical experiences.

NATIVE EARTH PERFORMING ARTS

Native Earth Performing Arts is Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous performing arts company. Currently, in our 41st year, we are dedicated to developing, producing, and presenting professional artistic expressions of the Indigenous experience in Canada. Through stage productions (theatre, dance, and multi-disciplinary art), new script development, apprenticeships, and internships, Native Earth seeks to fulfill a community of artistic visions. It is a vision that is inclusive and reflective of the artistic directions of members of the Indigenous community who actively participate in the arts.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

Indigenous Theatre at Canada’s National Arts Centre is made possible through the generous support of individuals and corporations from across the country. The National Arts Centre Foundation wishes to acknowledge the support of The Slaight Family Foundation, Presenting Sponsor BMO Financial Group, and Official Hotel Partner Ottawa Embassy Hotel & Suites. Thank you also to Meta, Presenting Partner of #ReconcileThis.

ABOUT THE NAC

The National Arts Centre is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams — the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety — and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The NAC is located in the National Capital Region on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Ian Hobson
Communications Strategist, NAC Indigenous Theatre
National Arts Centre
(343) 588-0742
ian.hobson@nac-cna.ca