From Belfast to the Shaw Festival
Although Jackie Maxwell’s voyage from her childhood in Belfast to the Canadian theatre community may not be typical, it is representative of the strong ties between Ireland and Canada.
So it is fitting that she will be speaking at the invitation of Concordia’s School of Canadian Irish Studies about her journey in a lecture titled From Belfast to the Shaw Festival: An Unexpected Odyssey.
When: Thursday, October 20 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: York Amphitheatre, Room EV 1.615, Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (1515 Ste-Catherine St. W.).
Maxwell is in her ninth year as artistic director of the Shaw Festival. This is the latest chapter in a life that brought her to Canada in 1978 and to numerous theatres across the country, including Montreal’s National Theatre School and Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre. In addition to her production work, Maxwell has also taught at the Banff Centre for the Arts and York University, among other institutions.
“Her work always demonstrates a very high level of artistic achievement,” says Michael Kenneally who is the principal of Concordia’s School of Irish Studies and holds a Chair in Canadian Irish Studies. “The quality has been highly professional, on a par with theatrical performances in London and on Broadway.”
Kenneally is clearly a fan and invited Maxwell after enjoying her performances for many years. “She has been very energetic in promoting Canadian women playwrights,” he adds, noting the challenges of managing an ensemble cast over the Shaw Festival’s season.
Maxwell’s talk is the fourth annual Irish Protestant Benevolent Society Lecture presented by the school and, according to Kenneally, represents a turning point in the ongoing collaboration between the two institutions.
“We have always presented the lecture as part of the Benevolent Society’s annual general meeting, this will be the first stand-alone event,” he says. “It is going to be a real town and gown event, attracting people from the society, the Irish community, the theatre community and Concordia.”
The Irish Protestant Benevolent Society is one of 18 Irish organizations that regularly support events, scholarships and activities at the school. Fundraising is coordinated through the Canadian Irish Studies Foundation, which was established for that purpose. In addition to the generosity of local groups, such as the St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal, the school benefitted from initial funds allocated by the Canadian, Quebec and Irish governments.
This unique combination of government and community-based funding has allowed the school to thrive over the years. It recently moved into offices on the 10th floor of the Henry F. Hall Building. Plans are advancing to add a major to the minor and certificate programs currently offered by the school.
In addition to a range of classes in a number of disciplines, the school offers lectures, conferences and other programs. For a list of upcoming events, please refer to their website.
Related links:
• School of Canadian Irish Studies
• Shaw Festival