“Wild, witty, clever, goofy…and slightly mad” are common adjectives used to describe Ottawa’s one and only A Company of Fools. Delighting local audiences with their whimsical blend of clown, mask and puppet theatre, “The Fools” have been performing Shakespearean works in Ottawa’s outdoor spaces for over 20 years. Inspired by the rogue Elizabethan players that once entertained out of doors and in the Globe Theatre, A Company of Fools produces innovative, interactive and accessible theatre for all audiences.
In 2012, the Ottawa Community Foundation supported the mounting of The Fools’ Torchlight Shakespeare series production of Henry V in various community parks across the city. Designed to reach out to audiences that might not normally have the opportunity to attend professional theatre, these performances were presented in neighbourhood venues at pay-what-you-can prices.
“The purpose of Torchlight Shakespeare is to create a truly accessible and enjoyable cultural event by adapting the work of Shakespeare and presenting it outdoors in parks across Ottawa,” says Scott Florence, Artistic Director of A Company of Fools. “By using our popular theatre techniques of clown, mask, puppetry and physical theatre, and offering professional theatre at affordable prices, we endeavor to make the works of Shakespeare available to all ages.”
The Fools’ track record in this area is truly impressive, having successfully staged such Foundation-supported productions as Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony and Cleopatra through the Torchlight series, the troupe reached close to 10,000 people last summer. “With the support of the Ottawa Community Foundation over the last decade, we’ve been able to connect to increasingly diverse and ever-expanding audiences each year,” says Scott. “Through our distinct approach to Shakespeare’s plays, we’re able to create a truly unique performance that is not duplicated anywhere else in Canada and has been celebrated by audiences, critics and academics alike.”
In addition to staging plays, A Company of Fools is very active in the field of education, providing workshops and performances for elementary and high school students, as well as professional development workshops for emerging and established artists in the region. “The Fools hire only local professional and emerging artists for our summer productions,” says Scott. “This means that the skills and abilities of local artists are utilized and showcased in our work, allowing us to offer unique summer employment opportunities to support the growth of professional theatre in Ottawa.” www.fools.ca