BE A COOL CAT AND BE PART OF THE CLUB: THE SOUTHAM CLUB DEBUTS 2017 THE COLONY OF UNREQUITED DREAMS

If you’ve never heard of the Southam Club before, then it’s your lucky day! Aimed at a new generation who want to come together through arts and culture, the Southam Club is a diverse group of some of the most dynamic individuals in the National Capital Region. Now, you are all quite aware of my affinity for the National Arts Centre as our main source of arts, culture and music in the city therefore, having a group like The Southam Club is like a cherry on a sundae!

Who wouldn’t want to be a cool cat and be part of an iconic-sounding club at that. For those not in the know, the Southam Theatre is the name of the NAC’s main (and newly renovated) theatre!

Here’s 3 THINGS YOU MUST ABSOLUTELY KNOW ABOUT THE SOUTHAM CLUB AND THE COLONY OF UNREQUITED DREAMS:

BEING A MEMBER OF THE SOUTHAM CLUB GIVES YOU MORE THAN JUST FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

To be precise, being a member of The Southam Club gives you get a looot of perks and benefits. Chief amongst them is the privilege to enjoy something a little bit more. Members can learn about the performing arts by interacting with the performers and creators of National Arts Centre performances at unique backstage events. The club hosts a number of speaker nights that feature leading thinkers from the worlds of politics, business, academia and more. In fact, the Southam Club calendar is regularly updated to reflect upcoming culinary events, social events and more.

Aside from these evidently exciting events and opportunities to go in-depth to the world of NAC performers, taste makers and trendsetters, there’s a number of real and tangible benefits to joining the club as members enjoy a discount on three things at the NAC: the parking, the food, and of course, the show! Three elements that make for one spectacular night out at Canada’s National Arts Centre!

Take a look at what Southam Club members enjoy with their annual membership at the NAC:

SHOWS – Enjoy 10 per cent off NAC productions (some restrictions apply*) and 15 per cent off regular ticket price when you buy in groups of 10 or more. You can also get tickets— and access to the best seats—to certain NAC shows, ahead of the public on-sale date.

LE CAFé – Receive 10 per cent off lunch at le café restaurant. Your bill will go directly to your Southam Club account, for your convenience.

PARKING Members are entitled to a discounted rate with the purchase of a parking card.

You can join The Southam Club here.

LAUNCHING 2017 WITH A NEWFOUNDLAND DINNER AND THE COLONY OF UNREQUITED DREAMS

Speaking of unique backstage events that are held exclusively for Southam Club members, there is going to be a Newfoundland Dinner on February 7th, 2017 hosted by the NAC’s own proud Newfoundlander Jillian Keiley! As the NAC’s Artistic Director of English Theatre, Jillian is one of the most in-demand directors in Canada and with a list of impressive awards, accolades and after seeing one of her recent production, an adaption of Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol, it’s really not hard to see why.

It’s no coincidence of course that the club’s big start to 2017 is kicked off with a Newfoundland dinner, as right after that follows a performance of the much talked about Jillian Keiley’s production of The Colony of Unrequited Dream. An adaptation of the 1998 novel by Wayne Johnston, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams surrounds Newfoundland’s decision to join the Confederation of Canada in 1949. That said, the evening’s specially prepared meal will come straight from the world of the play – an authentic Newfoundland dinner, deliciously adapted by the NAC’s outstanding Executive Sous-Chef Martin Levesque.

Jillian Keiley, Newfoundlander and Artistic Director, NAC’s English Theatre
Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook | Photo courtesy of Ottawa Citizen

As if a private dinner and a show is not enough, Newfoundland MP Seamus O’Regan (St. John’s South−Mount Pearl) will interview Jillian about the show, based on the critically acclaimed novel by Wayne Johnston about Joey Smallwood as he propels the Dominion of Newfoundland into union with Canada in 1949.

RE-LEARN CANADIAN HISTORY (PARTICULARLY THE DOMINION OF NEWFOUNDLAND) THROUGH FRESH EYES WITH THE COLONY OF UNREQUITED DREAMS

A collaboration between the NAC’s English Theatre department and St. John’s Artistic Fraud, this expansive play is superbly directed by Jillian Keiley, who hailed from Newfoundland and had founded the Artistic Fraud more than 20 years ago. A sweeping drama of personal and political ambition follows soon-to-be Premier Joey Smallwood – the self-described “Last Father of Confederation” – as he propels the Dominion of Newfoundland into union with Canada in 1949. Both saint and sinner, the charismatic, controversial Smallwood is hounded every step of the way by witty, booze-soaked reporter Sheilagh Fielding – his intellectual equal and lifelong nemesis.

While it may not hit the heart of many as deeply as it would a Newfoundlander, there essential elements of the play that would resonate to audiences young and old. Aside from the main elements of history and politics, there’s also the romance — or non-romance — between these two characters who really want to kill each other all the time and who wouldn’t want to see that?

Photos courtesy of the NAC with a special thank you to Mr. Sean Fitzpatrick.
Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook | Twenty York Street aka @20YS

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NAC ENGLISH THEATRE 2016 – 2017 SEASON

With a crackling narrative, sultry jazz score and a cast of forty characters, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams is an ambitious and an almost impossible task of retelling of a defining Canadian story. Find epic plays like this and more at the NAC English Theatre 2016 – 2017 Season. We have tremendously enjoyed many past production by the NAC English Theatre and very much look forward to what’s

Subscribe to the NAC English Theatre 2016 – 2017 Season today. Visit here for more info.
Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook | Twenty York Street aka @20YS

THE DETAILS: THE COLONY OF UNREQUITED DREAMS

When: January 25 to February 11, 2017
Where: NAC Theatre
Tickets: $25-$75, available through ticketmaster.ca or by calling 1 888-991-2787
More information: nac-cna.ca

The NAC engagement marks Colony’s first run outside Newfoundland. You can read more about the production and about Jillian Keiley here.

In case you missed our last TV appearance, check out CTV Ottawa Morning LIVE Show here!

There may only be one thing left to be said as to why you should join The Southam Club and see The Colony of Unrequited Dreams… it’s because it’s HOT. And we mean that in a sense that themes than run beneath is the same as what’s currently on topic here and everywhere. There are definitely unmissable parallels to be drawn between the present state of affairs in the United States and the events that transpired in Newfoundland in 1949. Like the recent election of the President of the US of A, the Newfoundland referendum was a certain turn of events that changed the course of history. “The world could have gone in such polar opposite directions,” says Keiley.

Now, isn’t that the mot du jour.

LET’S BE FRIENDS: FOLLOW @20YS IN SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST AND THE GREATEST

To get more beauty, fashion and style inspirations, updates on great shopping and travel tips, follow @20YS on Twitter & @20YS on Instagram today. For behind the scenes from our long weekend adventures in Montreal, follow @20YS on Twitter  and Instagram!