By Laura Murton
Governments may have cut funding to the arts, but it seems someone else can take its place.
The recent partnership between the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) and OC Transpo to present The Number 14 helped the 230-seat theatre stay at 99 per cent capacity for a whole two weeks.
The Number 14, a Vancouver-born play from Axis Theatre Company, roared out of town as the most successful play this season.
The Number 14 makes use of an art form called commedia del’arte. The improvisational style attempts to create social and political commentary in a comical, witty way.
In the play, the style is used to depict the chaos, and sometimes, absurdity of daily life on a city bus.
With a bus as a central setting, it was the perfect opportunity to forge a new partnership. The GCTC has never partnered with OC Transpo before.
But this isn’t the first time OC Transpo has supported a Centretown arts organization.
Last fall the National Arts Centre asked OC Transpo to come on board and sponsor their Live Rush program, an initiative dedicated to encouraging youth to become involved in the arts.
When Sean Fitzpatrick, the marketing and publicity coordinator at the GCTC got wind The Number 14 would be rolling into town, he thought OC Transpo would make an excellent sponsor.
Not only is the play set on a bus, but also Ottawa’s own number 14 route passes right by the playhouse on Gladstone Avenue.
“I thought of asking OC Transpo because of the nature of the show, and it turned out to be great to work with them. They enjoyed the fact that they could raise their awareness, and our sales were right through the roof,” says Fitzpatrick.
“The partnership was a good fit,” says Lucy Doré, manager of communications and marketing at OC Transpo. Although it’s too early to see what OC Transpo has gained, Doré says she enjoyed every minute of promoting the play.
“When we heard about the opportunity, we thought it would be a fun thing to do…we are always looking for partnerships in the community to raise awareness of public transit, and this turned out to be a light-hearted and fun project,” she added.
The show ran from February 21 to March 4, but was sold out three days after opening night.
Currently, there are no more partnership plans brewing for OC Transpo and the GCTC. The opportunity for partnering to present The Number 14 was simply too wonderful to pass up, however, both OC Transpo and the GCTC agree that next time an appropriate match comes up, they would be delighted to work together again.
If you missed the show this time, says Wayne Sprecht, artistic director and co-founder of the Axis Theatre Company in Vancouver, there’s a good chance The Number 14 will pull into town once more before parking for good in Vancouver. Specht recognizes the importance of such a production for all members of the community.
“I know transit takes lumps from time to time, and this is a great opportunity to show it’s part of the community…with this play, what it comes down to is the common denominator of experience and the joy of laughter-something everyone can share,” says Specht.