OPENING NIGHT

Perfect weather for an Ottawa opening night - temperatures around -5, some snowflakes falling here and there. The Norwegian Embassy set up a pavilion and served free hot "grog". Some surreal little mascots showed up to hug everyone. I understand they are called "icehogs", and they surface at Winterlude time to provide much needed nurturing to stressed out cold people. Everyone at the opening was in a good mood already. Caravan alumni present - Nicola Correia - Damude (original Hanna), John Millard, Martha Ross, and daughter Lillian, Rob Clutton, and board president Nick Watkins.

The show went smoothly (despite the set having suffered at the hands of vandals the night before) and the audience was lovely.
Many nice complements were given and received.

Afterwards, all moved to the neighbouring pub for the reception, where many speeches were made: By NAC English Theatre managing director Victoria Steele, by Caravan board president Nick Watkins (a very good one too), by NAC associate artist and East/West director Jennifer Brewin, and by the head of the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Nick and the head of the Norwegian embassy then unveiled Randi Helmers painting - the one she has been working on in the NAC lobby for the past two weeks - which was fantastic, and Randi broke into spontaneous Norwegian folksong, joined by the half dozen Norwegians in the room.

One of my favourite moments of the evening: When the two teamsters, Luc and Luc, said they would come and drive for a Caravan summer show. So let's start thinking of a play for all of our great teamsters...