Ottawa's vibrant high school theatre scene has once again proven it can go toe-to-toe with professional stages, as Holy Trinity Catholic High School delivered an exceptional production of Macbeth that left Cappies critics genuinely impressed.
Directed by Stavros Sakiadis, the show — ranked #17 in this year's Cappies season — tackled one of Shakespeare's most demanding texts with confidence and creative vision. Lead critic Safya Khan of Colonel By Secondary School described the production as a standout entry in a competitive field.
Power, Fate, and a Scottish King in an Ottawa Gym
Originally written in the early 17th century, Macbeth tells the story of a Scottish general whose hunger for power — stoked by three witches and an ambitious wife — leads him to murder, madness, and ultimate ruin. It's Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, but arguably his most visceral, and Holy Trinity's cast leaned into every dark corner of it.
The production transposed the timeless material into a staging that felt fresh while respecting the weight of the source. The direction kept the pacing tight — crucial for a play that can drag in lesser hands — and the ensemble committed fully to the heightened dramatic stakes.
The Cappies: Ottawa's Student Theatre Critics Program
For those unfamiliar, the Cappies (Critics and Awards Program) is a peer-reviewed theatre initiative that runs in Ottawa and other cities across North America. Student critics from participating high schools attend each other's productions and write reviews that are submitted for publication. It's a brilliant program: it develops critical writing skills, builds community across schools, and shines a well-deserved spotlight on the extraordinary talent that exists in Ottawa's secondary school drama departments.
Each year, the Cappies season culminates in a gala celebration recognizing outstanding performances, design work, and productions. Holy Trinity's Macbeth is clearly making a strong case heading into those final recognitions.
Why Ottawa's High School Theatre Scene Deserves More Attention
Ottawa has a rich and often underappreciated high school theatre ecosystem. Schools like Colonel By, Canterbury, Lisgar, and now Holy Trinity regularly mount productions that would hold up on any community stage. These students juggle academics, rehearsals, set construction, costuming, and live performance — all for the love of theatre.
If you haven't been to a high school play recently, this Cappies season is a great reason to start. Tickets are typically affordable, the energy in the room is electric, and you might just catch the next great Ottawa performer before they head off to theatre school.
Keep an eye on the Cappies Ottawa website for remaining shows in this season's lineup and information on the upcoming gala.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Cappies. Review by lead critic Safya Khan, Colonel By Secondary School.
