The 9th biennial Liverpool International Theatre Festival (LITF) was held May 14 – 18, 2008, at the Astor Theatre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Over 150 delegates from eight different countries descended upon our small town, offering 11 performances played to appreciative audiences over the five days.

A highlight of all our festivals is the Opening Ceremonies and Parade of Flags, and 2008 was no exception. The troupes entered the Astor Theatre while their national anthem played, carrying their flags and taking their place on the stage while the audience welcomed them with a round of applause. The atmosphere in the theatre was electric, particularly when the Canadian national anthem played and the Canadian companies crowded onto the stage. The ceremony highlighted the diversity of players brought to our small town, and made us all proud to be part of this unique global theatre.

Our honoured guests at the Opening Ceremonies included International Amateur Theatre Association (IATA) representative Aled Rhys-Jones, the Honourable Carolyn Bolivar-Getson Minister of Human Resources and Minister of Seniors, local MLA Vicki Conrad, and, the Mayor of the Region of Queens, His Worship John G. Leefe.

A special guest at LITF 2008 was observer Ashesh Malla from Nepal’s Sarwanam Theatre Group. His group devotes itself to performing politically provocative dramas on the streets of Nepal, focusing on stories and events that have an impact in the lives of everyday people in that country. Mr. Malla performed a one-man play at the Opening Ceremonies, entrancing us all with his haunting and emotional depiction of a man imprisoned for avenging a violent attack on his wife. Performing in his native language, Mr. Malla revealed a level of suffering that needed no translation. The audience was clearly moved by his performance.

The 2008 festival had a great balance of performances from Canadian and international companies. Audiences enjoyed performances from five Nova Scotian companies, and from six other international troupes. We were particularly excited to see both Syria and Israel performing at 2008’s event. Other countries represented at the festival were Wales, Germany, Slovakia, and the U.S.

In addition to participating in the formal competition of the festival, the Blackwood Little Theatre from Wales and the Open Theatre from Israel also performed for local schools.

While focusing on the exciting variety of performances and cultures we’re exposed to during theatre week, we often forget that LITF is, at its heart, a competition. Two adjudicators, who select the winners of our various production awards, assess each play and offer a brief summation of their critique at its conclusion. The adjudicators also offer a more in-depth examination of the production every morning at the Coffee Critique, broadening the audiences understanding of the play, and giving the actors and crew much appreciated feedback.

For 2008, the adjudicators were Martha Irving and Christopher Shore. Martha is an actor, teacher, and director. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, she is the recipient of six Robert Merrit nominations for acting. She was also awarded the Best Theatre Actress 2006 by The Coast magazine. Christopher is a professional actor and playwright, and is the Executive Director of Theatre Nova Scotia. A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s acting program, he has appeared in theatres across the country. His play Liar won Best New Play at the 2001 Robert Merrit Awards in Nova Scotia.

Festival Workshops were well attended by audiences, actors, playwrights, and members of the general public. The workshops offered over the week included:

1. Street Theatre in Nepal – demonstrated the method of forum theatre, where the actors are continuously performing in their own style without using any props. Through the actors’ symbolic body movement, props and settings are created.
2. The Physical Self – actors explored movement as a means to express story and character. Exercises, including work with emotional centres and structured improvisational games, guided actors through a process of physical self-analysis and discovery.
3. Le Jeu and Stage Presence – workshop participants explored the essence of play through games, choral work, clowning, and improvisation.
4. Write what you know, and you know a lot! – this writing workshop explored the freedom of expression using your own dreams and experiences as a springboard into creation.

The festival ended on a high note, with a Closing Ceremony attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia the Honourable Mayann E. Frances, O.N.S. As part of the closing, LITF committee presented the Jester Fish plaque to all participating companies for them to take home and hang in their own theatre. Richard Medicratf Creative Copper, a local artist, created our highly prized, and much coveted 2008 Production Awards. After being on display throughout the week in the foyer of the Astor Theatre, the awards were presented by local sponsors. Her Honour presented the People’s Choice Award.

After the work is done, then there is much playing, and in 2008 the organizers, players and audiences were invited to attend the Gala Night closing festivities. Popular musician Hal Bruce rocked the curling club, which was converted by Brian Fralic into the Festival Club for the week. Under the billowing sails and funky fish décor, folks danced, drank, and ate their way through a lively evening of laughter and sharing. This was everyone’s last chance to celebrate the week’s events and show our international visitors a bit of Liverpool’s famous Maritime hospitality, and we did not disappoint.