It’s going to be a busy year for Geordie Productions, a theatre company that is celebrating its 30th anniversary. In addition to a roster of thought-provoking plays, the company will move its productions from Concordia University to the Centaur Theatre and launch a theatre school for kids.

The theme for this year’s plays for families is the celebration of art. “We’ve been creating it for 30 years, so it’s what we’re celebrating for our anniversary,” says Dean Patrick Fleming, Geordie’s artistic director.
The season kicks off in November with For Art’s Sake. Audiences will learn about some of the greatest artists in history through the imagination of a little boy named Art, whose busy mom has left him to roam around a museum on his birthday. Art is bored until he meets a spunky museum curator, who takes him on a life-changing adventure. “It’s a beautiful story about a child learning that anybody can be an artist,” Fleming says. The production runs from November 5-14 and is recommended for ages 5 and up.
In February, Geordie will present Möcshplat, a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Four clowns tell this classical tale of murder and mayhem in their own invented language. “It’s hilarious and imaginative. They make things simple and precise so you understand what is happening without words,” Fleming says. This production runs from February 4-13, and is geared to kids ages 12 and older.
In May, Beethoven Lives Upstairs will wrap up the season. The play tells the story of a young boy who lives below a madman who makes a racket all day pounding on his piano. “He learns that this musical genius is a real person who goes through hardships, and is amazed to find out that Beethoven was actually deaf,” Fleming says. This production runs from May 13-22 and is suitable for ages 5 and up.

Geordie will also tour two new plays to schools around the province. Elementary students will enjoy Story Wars, which tackles the challenges of sharing a bedroom with a sibling. The play takes an epic turn when the super powers of Greek mythology are called in for a territorial struggle that turns messy. High schools and CEGEP students will have the chance to see I Don’t Like Mondays, which addresses violence in school. “It takes place after a shooting and how to deal with the consequences,” says Fleming.
Geordie’s plays are performed at the Centaur Theatre, 453 St. François-Xavier in Old Montreal. Subscription packages and individual tickets are available. For more information, call (514) 845-9810 or visit www.geordie.ca.

Geordie offers acting classes for kids

For 30 years, Geordie Productions has been presenting family-friendly theatre in Montreal. Now, they will be sharing their acting expertise with young people through the new Geordie Theatre School. Here, young people ages 6-17 can learn the craft of acting.

Junior classes, for ages 6-12, will introduce students to storytelling, physical acting and using their imagination. They will learn to share ideas and invent scenes through improvisation and teamwork. Classes meet once a week for an hour and a half. Cost is $300 for a 12-week session.

Senior classes, for ages 13-17, will be geared towards students who want to develop and improve their acting skills through various dramatic exercises, such as script work, character development, improvisation and creative movement.

Participants will meet once a week for two hours. Cost is $350 for a 12-week session.

Classes will be held on weekday evenings and Saturdays at FACE school, 3449 University St., Montreal.

For more information or to register, call (514) 927-9810 or visit www.geordietheatreschool.ca.