Hinterviews - An Nac English Theatre Podcast

In this final Hinterview of the series, we look back at some of the highlights featuring guests like Don McKellar, Robert Lepage, Paul Gross, Margaret Atwood, and Graham Greene.

The tables are turned for the King Lear Hinterview, Suzanne Keeptwo, aboriginal advisor and community liaison, interviews Peter Hinton, director of King Lear. Suzanne and Peter discuss this new take on King Lear, the significance of an aboriginal cast and setting, and the history of making August Schellenberg's dream come true.

It all starts when God sets the universe in motion. Then comes the story of Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Noah, and Moses as the Old Testament comes alive through the madcap imagination of Peter Anderson – and the magic of last season’s nativity is brought to life once again. Songs by Allen Cole contribute the musical complement to the serpent’s temptation, the menagerie of animals boarding the Ark, and all the episodes of this modern “mystery play.” Not quite the King James Bible, but definitely entertaining.

Dreaming dreams, hoping for success, facing reality. That’s the funny and touching story of Ted and Richard—whiz kids who want to become superstar pianists—and how they survive piano teachers, pushy parents, hours of practice, stage fright, and nerve-wracking competitions. Will they gain fame and fortune? Come find out as we mark the 15th anniversary of this wildly popular show, with more than two million delighted fans in 150 cities worldwide.

Dickens’ timeless classic comes to life as you follow the tale of the orphan Oliver, the Artful Dodger, Fagin, Nancy, and all the down-and-out denizens of London. Broadway legend Lionel Bart’s memorable songs — “Food, Glorious Food,” “Where is Love?” and “As Long as He Needs Me” — capture the flavour of Victorian England in the Tony Award-winning musical Oliver!. Stirring, powerful, and uplifting.

Imagine: you are Mr. Mann, and you’ve just won two tickets to Chekhov’s comedy, The Three Sisters. You’ve barely heard of Chekhov, but you go anyway (alone, because no one else in the family is interested). Unexpectedly the experience begins to alter your life, and slowly beauty … Can beauty actually reveal a new way to see the world? This play opens a window to the answer.

On a moonlit night in August, 1926, 18 year-old Jacob Mercer has returned from Toronto to the tiny Newfoundland outport of Coley’s Point, hoping to win back his former sweetheart, Mary Snow. But Mary, still hurt and puzzled by Jacob’s sudden departure a year earlier, has become engaged to wealthy Jerome McKenzie and will not be easily wooed.

Artistic Director Peter Hinton speaks with Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People Artistic Director Allen MacInnis about the Theatre, creating work with young people in mind and the how i think i can, a story told through tap dance and co-created by Florence Gibson and Shawn Byfield, came to life.

Artistic Director Peter Hinton speaks with Lauchie, Liza and Rory producer and Mulgrave Road Theatre Artistic Director Emmy Alcorn about touring productions from the East Coast, the history of Mulgrave Road and what the theatre scene is like in Nova Scotia.

Artistic Director Peter Hinton speaks with Saint Carmen of The Main translator Linda Gaboriau about working with Michel Tremblay, the creation process and new translation of Saint Carmen of The Main and what goes into translating a play.

Special Guest Suzanne Keeptwo speaks with Ed Roy, director and dramaturg of Agokwe, about the creation of the production, the importance of the message and how he worked with Waawaate Fobister on bringing the play from a monologue to an award-winning one-man show.

On Saturday, January 22, a Special Hinterview took place for NAC English Theatre subscribers and Friends of English Theatre, as Artistic Director Peter Hinton and Dramaturg and Artistic Associate Paula Danckert, sat down with the members of the NAC English Theatre Company for an informal meet and greet.

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton speaks with Michael Shamata, director of The Year of Magical Thinking and Artistic Director of the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, about directing a book adapted for the stage and working alongside Seana McKenna.

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton speaks with nativity playwright Peter Anderson about the inspiration of the play, the process of the creation and how his career in theatre began.

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton chats Vimy playwright Vern Thiessen, about the life of a playwright and how the play Vimy came to be. This powerful co-production with the Great Canadian Theatre Company played at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre from November 9 – December 11

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton chats with Sherry Bie, Artistic Director of the English Section of the National Theatre School of Canada, about the history of the school and the celebration behind its 50th Anniversary, which included a partnership with the NAC English Theatre on William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, which ran in the NAC Theatre October 19 – November 6.

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton chats with Roy Surette, Artistic and Executive Director of the Centaur Theatre in Montreal, about the differences of theatres in different cities and co-producing productions with other theatre companies as the NAC/Centaur co-production of The Comedy of Errors.

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton chats with Where the Blood Mixes playwright Kevin Loring about the play, his winning the Governor General's Award and being an NAC Playwright in Residence.

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton chats with playwright Joanna McClelland Glass and director Marti Maraden about the creation of this new production and their working history.

NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton chats with English Theatre Company member and Mother Courage and Her Children Assistant Director Stephen Ouimette about his life in theatre, being part of the English Theatre Company and working on both A Christmas Carol and Mother Courage and Her Children.