LETTER ONE

Actor Tony Nardi is Back With Letter Two, his
Rant Against Mediocrity
Today is Monday September 7, 2009
By Pat Donnelly
Stage and Page with Pat Donnelly - Montreal Gazette

Tony Nardi is back again, with his Two Letters ... And Counting! show, which is more or less a solo rant by a disgruntled actor who tears into the Canadian theatrical establishment with the dual war cries of "Mediocrity!" and "Inauthenticity!". Theirs, not his, I'm assuming.

I've never managed to catch Nardi's letter act, although I do remember seeing seeing this Genie Award-winning actor as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at Centaur Theatre many years ago. He does liven up a stage.

In March of 2008, Nardi visited Montreal to perform his Letter One, sans admission. This time, he 's doing Letter Two, and there will be an admission charge -- as well as French subtitles. Performances are on Aug. 31, Sept. 2,4, and 5, at 7 p.m., at Espace Libre, 1945 Fullum St.

Letter Two "explores a history of an 'actor-less' theatre culture in Canada at the hands of a 'director's theatre', in which, increasingly, a tradition of over-trained actors and under-trained directors is encouraged."

After the performance, there will be a discussion period. With referee/moderator.

Call 514-521-4191 or visit www.espacelibre.ca