Live Theatre is Back in Little Italy!
The Gladstone Theatre returns to in-person shows, with a line up of productions that will have you back in your seats.
A staple in Ottawa’s Little Italy, The Gladstone Theatre, has been delighting the National Capital Region with live entertainment for over fourteen years. With the pandemic causing all in-person shows to be cancelled, and capacity limits fluctuating since March of 2020, the staff, volunteers and patrons of the Gladstone have long awaited the return of indoor, live theatre, including bar service and full-capacity seating. For the first time in two years, the Gladstone is excited to have a line up of summer productions for Ottawa’s theatre and entertainment lovers to enjoy.
“It’s great to be back,” says Robin Guy, Theatre Manager for the Gladstone. “We are so delighted to have audiences back in the theatre!”
During the pandemic, The Gladstone pivoted their model to perform outdoor or livestreamed shows during the summers of 2020 and 2021. Although grateful for the opportunity to connect with their audiences despite the changing public health restrictions, alternative programming, says Guy, is just not the same. “It was great to have the opportunity to have the community use the theatre for all kinds of innovative work. But we really missed our patrons - the energy of live performance is like nothing else.”
Although capacity limits for theatres and entertainment centres have been lifted, the Gladstone will continue to offer spaced seating for many of their shows for those who feel most comfortable maintaining a two-metre distance. “We want everyone to feel safe and return to enjoying live theatre,” says Guy.
This summer, the Gladstone is excited to welcome a co-production by Three Sisters Theatre Co and SevenThirty Productions, who will be putting on the upcoming show “The Secrets of Primrose Square”. The play is a world premiere, and its Director, John P. Kelly, has a long standing history of producing Irish plays at The Gladstone.
Erika Scrivens, Marketing Director for the upcoming play, is excited about performing in Ottawa’s Little Italy. “Preston Street is the best place to grab dinner and enjoy a live show,” says Scrivens. “It is great to see folks back enjoying the theatre, after over a two-year hiatus.”
To learn about upcoming productions, or purchase tickets, visit www.thegladstone.ca.