The Public Servant - by Common Boots Theatre with Nightwood Theatre
Common Boots Theatre in association with Nightwood Theatre present The Public Servant
Written by Jennifer Brewin, Haley McGee, Sarah McVie and Amy Rutherford
Directed by Jennifer Brewin
Starring Amy Keating, Sarah McVie, Amy Rutherford
March 13- April 3, 2016
Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs
After a sold-out run in Ottawa at The Great Canadian Theatre Company, Common Boots Theatre (formerly known as Theatre Columbus) in association with Nightwood Theatre present The Public Servant in Toronto, at Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs, 26 Berkeley Street, March 13 – April 3, 2016.
Inspired by dozens of interviews with public servants, this laugh-out-loud comedy is a vivid portrayal of never-ending protocols, heroic dedication and the sometimes fuzzy divide between personal need and public good. An unofficial public service motto is: "fearlessly advise and loyally implement," but what happens when that advice isn’t heard? During the Harper government drastic cuts were made to the public service with a loss of over 37,000 jobs and budgets slashed in Veterans Affairs Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Statistics Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and beyond (stats from the Public Service Alliance of Canada http://votetostopthecuts.ca). Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre says, “In the face of cutbacks, the muzzling of scientists and under-funding, this play gave voice to public servants in a way that is painfully funny, provocative and powerful. Will things change under the Trudeau administration? This piece speaks to why it’s important that they do.” Brewin, McGee, McVie and Rutherford together interviewed over 40 public servants of varying ages, at all levels and who had worked in governments under Pierre Trudeau through to Stephen Harper. The team then collectively created the play entirely through improvisation. “We collaborated to tell this thought-provoking, funny story that celebrates the tenacity and flexibility as well as the heartbreak and frustrations experienced of life in the civil service,” says Brewin. Joining the creative team for the Toronto premiere is celebrated actor Amy Keating who will replace Haley McGee. She joins powerhouse creator/actors Amy Rutherford and Sarah McVie to complete a potent comic triad on stage.
ABOUT THE PLAY: Step inside the halls of power as Madge, a young, idealistic and enthusiastic civil servant, gets ready to write her first official memo. The only thing standing in her way are endless revisions, an impossible deadline, funding cutbacks and the ever-shifting world of government protocol. This hard-hitting and hilarious play asks: doesn’t a successful society – one that is engaged, working, healthy and educated – require a successful civil service?
“A fast-paced and hilarious play...satirical without losing honesty.” -The Charlebois Post, Ottawa
"A delightful confection of wit and insight." -Capital Critic's Circle, Ottawa
THE PUBLIC SERVANT Written by Jennifer Brewin, Haley McGee, Sarah McVie and Amy Rutherford Directed by Jennifer Brewin Starring Amy Keating, Sarah McVie, Amy Rutherford
Set & Costume Design by Anna Treusch
Lighting Design by Martin Conboy
Sound Design by Michael Rinaldi
Stage Management by Sandy Plunkett P
roduction Management by Rebecca Vandevelde
Tickets range from $18 to $35