Ottawa High Schoolers Steal the Spotlight in 'Puffs'
Ottawa's theatre scene got a delightful boost this season as Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School staged a visually stunning and emotionally resonant production of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, directed by Sonya Schrum.
The show — part of Ottawa's beloved Cappies program, where student critics review fellow student productions — earned high praise from Marianna Kealey of St. Patrick's High School, who called it both visually captivating and emotionally engaging.
A Story for the Underdogs
For anyone who's ever felt like a background character in someone else's story, Puffs hits close to home. The comedic play reimagines a certain famous seven-year saga of wizardry entirely from the perspective of those who didn't quite make it into the spotlight — the ones who got sorted into the less glamorous house and spent their school years just trying to keep up.
It's a clever, heartfelt premise, and by all accounts, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier cast and crew pulled it off with style. The production leaned into its theatrical roots with inventive staging, strong ensemble work, and moments of genuine emotional weight amid the laughs.
The Cappies: Ottawa's Student Theatre Tradition
The Cappies (Critics and Awards Program) is a long-running Ottawa tradition that gives high school students a chance to both perform and critique live theatre. Student critics attend productions across the city, write reviews, and ultimately vote on awards — making it one of the most unique and community-driven theatre programs in Canada.
For students at Sir Wilfrid Laurier, being reviewed by a peer from St. Patrick's is part of what makes the program special. It raises the stakes, sharpens performances, and builds a genuine sense of artistic community across Ottawa schools.
What the Review Said
Kealey's review highlighted the production's strong visual design and the cast's ability to balance comedic timing with genuine heart. In a show that easily could have leaned too hard on parody, the Laurier team found the emotional core — making audiences root for characters who are, by definition, the underdogs.
Director Sonya Schrum deserves credit for guiding a student cast through material that requires both physical comedy and sincere dramatic moments, often in the same breath.
Catch Ottawa's Student Theatre This Spring
If you haven't checked out a Cappies production this season, there's still time. Ottawa high schools continue to stage ambitious, high-quality shows through the spring, and the Cappies Gala — where awards are announced — is always a highlight of the local arts calendar.
Keep an eye on the Ottawa Cappies program for upcoming shows and review coverage. Ottawa's next generation of performers, directors, and critics are out here doing genuinely impressive work — and they deserve a full house.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Cappies Program. Review by Marianna Kealey, St. Patrick's High School.
