Ronnie Burkett, Canada’s foremost puppeteer, will be appearing at the National Arts Centre from March 13th to April 1st with his current Theatre of Marionette production entitled “Penny Plain”. This critically acclaimed new production began its run at the Edmonton Citadel Theatre in September and has since worked its way across Canada to Toronto where it will open on Friday of this week. It will then come to Ottawa where it will occupy the Theatre of the NAC before concluding its run in Montreal.
Fans of Ronnie Burkett will have the chance to spend a very special up-close and informal evening with this gifted artist while he is in Ottawa. On March 26th, during a “night off” from his run of “Penny Plain”, Ronnie will appear at the Fourth Stage of the NAC in a special benefit appearance in support of Almonte’s Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival.
“RONNIE BURKETT… UNSTRUNG” is an event which is particularly suitable for Ronnie’s fans, puppetry lovers over 16, and supporters of Puppets Up! During the evening, Ronnie will share stories and reflections on his career in puppetry, and demonstrate his magnificent marionettes. Live music and a few friendly puppet ambassadors from the Puppets Up! festival, will also be included as well as a personal question and answer session with Ronnie in the second half of the program.
This fundraiser is generously sponsored in part by business owners in Mississippi Mills. Tickets for this unique event can be purchased at Mill Street Books in Almonte (256-9090) and via the NAC’s Box Office (613-947-7000). The ticket price is $25. All proceeds will go to Puppets Up! a not-for-profit charitable organization. This year’s festival will take place August 11th and 12th, 2012.