Ottawa's high school theatre scene delivered something special this spring when West Carleton Secondary School took the stage with their Cappies entry, The Tortoise and The Hare: Blood and Glory — a production that turns a familiar fable into an emotionally layered, surprisingly moving piece of theatre.
Directed by Adam Smith, the show was the 15th entry of this year's Cappies season, reviewed by Iz Morgan of Elmwood School as part of the program's student critic initiative.
More Than Just a Race
Don't let the title fool you. According to critic Iz Morgan, Blood and Glory wasn't really about who crosses the finish line first. "The Tortoise and The Hare wasn't just about speed or determination — it was about love, community, and finding oneself," Morgan wrote. "Aesop just left those bits out."
That kind of storytelling ambition is exactly what makes high school theatre worth your time. West Carleton's cast and creative team took a premise most people know from childhood and pushed it into unexpected territory — weaving in themes that resonate with anyone who's ever felt out of place, fallen in love, or struggled to figure out who they are.
A Forest With Stakes
The production's central tension builds around a shrinking forest — a dramatic device that gives the characters' journey real urgency. It's the kind of environmental metaphor you'd expect from a professional production, and the fact that West Carleton students pulled it off says a lot about the ambition behind the script and Director Adam Smith's vision.
Smith guided his cast through emotionally demanding material, balancing the physical demands of live performance with the subtler, harder work of building genuine character and human connection on stage.
What the Cappies Mean for Ottawa
The Cappies program has been a cornerstone of Ottawa's theatre community for years. High school students earn the opportunity to see and review each other's productions across the city, with the season wrapping up in a celebrated gala awards night that honours the best in student performance, direction, design, and writing.
For West Carleton Secondary — a school serving families across a wide, semi-rural stretch west of Ottawa — mounting a production of this emotional depth is no small undertaking. It requires months of rehearsal, creative courage, and serious commitment from everyone involved.
Show #15 of the Cappies season is a timely reminder that some of the most compelling storytelling in this city isn't happening on a professional mainstage. It's happening in school auditoriums, performed by teenagers who are deeply invested in what they're making.
A Reason to Catch a Cappies Show
If you've never attended a Cappies production, Blood and Glory is a strong argument for changing that. Ottawa's emerging theatre talent is the real deal — young artists already asking big questions and finding creative, heartfelt ways to answer them on stage.
Check the Cappies website for the full list of remaining productions this season and details on the upcoming awards gala.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Cappies
