New York City, November 24, 2024
Ottawa playwright and director Andrew Riddles and the cast of his new play Third-Party, Blameless have secured first-prize in a New York theatre festival. The piece, which concerns intimate partner violence, was one of nearly 250 plays submitted to the Seat of Our Pants Theatre’s SOOP to Nuts Short Play Festival, which runs annually in the New York City suburb of Pelham. Riddles also became the first Canadian playwright to win first place at the festival.
The play stars Renée-Nicole Powell in the role of Jane, Ron Yoo as Michael, and Khari Telesford as Mike. Powell was also co-director with Riddles. The show was presented by The Persuasion and produced by Seat Of Our Pants (SOOP). On Saturday night, it faced fierce competition from five other finalists at Studio 530 Theatre in Pelham, NY.
The production involved Riddles running rehearsals through via video link from Ottawa. Powell, Yoo, and Telesford joined the play from New York City, where they are based.
Third-Party, Blameless, is the story of Jane, told through the lens of witnessing her husband Michael verbally abusing the man whose car just rear-ended their own vehicle in busy traffic. Initially defending her husband, she peels back the layers of her life with Michael during the play, finds her voice, and makes a decision that will change her life.
Riddles paid tribute to the actors involved. “Ron as Michael and Khari as Mike added a tremendous depth and a humour to the piece which I didn’t know existed until the first rehearsal. And I am immensely grateful to work with Renée-Nicole Powell – she helped elevate the play beyond measure. The audience was profoundly moved by her performance as a woman who takes a stand against her very abusive husband.”
Powell said, “Working on Third-Party, Blameless with the whole gang was unlike any other experience I’ve had putting up a play. At every turn something great and unexpected happened; that all came to the forefront when we were told we had won the whole competition – total shock and happiness rushed through my body”
Ron Yoo, who plays Michael, said of the production. “It’s such an awesome story in itself: it involved international rehearsals, rehearsals while at work and on movie set, and our writer and director traveling last minute from Canada to attend the final.”
Khari Telesford, the actor and writer who plays Mike, said of his experience, “Working on Third-Party, Blameless with Andrew has proved to be an invaluable and enlightening experience. Multilayered, sharp and witty, this drama doesn’t shy away from controversy, nor does it hold back – just how I like it.”
Seat Of Our Pants’ Artistic Director Paul Romanello said, “It was great getting to know Andrew and the cast and watching their wonderful play come to life. SOOP To Nuts attracts plays from all around the world, and Third-Party, Blameless is the first win from an international playwright.” The final at the company’s Studio 530 in Pelham, New York, was judged by three industry veterans: Broadway actress Kathy Fitzgerald, Broadway Director Stephen Sposito, and Broadway critic Michael Portantiere.
It was an exhausting experience for the playwright and co-director. He travelled to New York City for rehearsals in an off-Broadway theatre before transferring to Pelham for the semi-finals. He flew home to Ottawa before learning they had secured a place in the final. He then travelled back to New York by train and car a few days later for 24-hours to attend the final.
“It was worth all the effort,” says Riddles. “This experience was one that will live with me forever.” Originally from Britain, he has lived in Ottawa for two decades. His first play, BUYSEXUAL, which was produced by The Persuasion, won a Best in Festival Award in this year’s Ottawa Fringe Festival where it was a sell-out hit. “The real prize in the SOOP To Nuts Short Play Festival was meeting the hosts at SOOP and our fellow playwrights, directors, and actors. It felt like in four nights at the festival we made friends and connections that will stick with us forever. What a joyous experience – we got to tell a story and build community. That is what theatre is all about.”