Slings and Arrows
In the fictional town of New Burbage, legendary theatrical madman Geoffrey Tennant returns to the New Burbage Theatre Festival, the site of his greatest triumph and most humiliating failure, to assume the artistic directorship after the sudden death of his mentor, Oliver Welles. When Geoffrey arrives he finds that Oliver is still there, in spirit anyway, and with his guidance (and often in spite of it) Geoffrey attempts to reconcile with his past while wrestling the festival back from the marketing department. Despite a bitter leading lady, a clueless leading man, and a scheming general manager, he manages to stage a remarkable production of Hamlet -- the play that drove him mad.
- 2003-2006
- 3 seasons
- Acorn Media Group
- Comedy
- TV-MA
In the fictional town of New Burbage, legendary theatrical madman Geoffrey Tennant returns to the New Burbage Theatre Festival, the site of his greatest triumph and most humiliating failure, to assume the artistic directorship after the sudden death of his mentor, Oliver Welles. When Geoffrey arrives he finds that Oliver is still there, in spirit anyway, and with his guidance (and often in spite of it) Geoffrey attempts to reconcile with his past while wrestling the festival back from the marketing department. Despite a bitter leading lady, a clueless leading man, and a scheming general manager, he manages to stage a remarkable production of Hamlet -- the play that drove him mad.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2003
Episode 1
Oliver's Dream
Mon, Nov 3, 2003 45 mins
After recovering from a mental breakdown while performing Hamlet that left him hospitalized and without an acting career, Geoffrey Tennant is directing his cobbled together, cash-strapped theater company in a production of Shakespeare's play The Tempest. Meanwhile Oliver Welles, Geoffrey's burnt-out ex-director/best friend is directing a well funded but artistically bankrupt version of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the prestigious New Burbage Shakespearean Festival.
Episode 2
Geoffrey Returns
45 mins
Geoffrey returns to New Burbage, for Oliver's funeral while the festival's business manager Richard Smith-Jones aided by American Holly Day scrambles to assume control. Geoffrey is surprised by a letter containing Oliver's last request. Meanwhile aspiring actress Kate McNab sneaks off to Toronto for a commercial audition and makes an unsuspected connection on the bus ride home.
Episode 3
Madness in Great Ones
45 mins
Having been named interim creative director of the festival, Geoffrey wisely cedes directing the festival's new production of Hamlet to a visiting director, but is distressed when the board chooses his long-time nemesis Darren Nichols. Richard and Holly decamp to Toronto for an evening of "real theater" as a break from New Burbage. Kate and visiting movie star Jack get closer.
Episode 4
Outrageous Fortune
45 mins
Following his drunken duel, Geoffrey is in jail. Ellen's young biker beau punishes those that offended the honor of her home. Jack and Kate grew closer during their night under the stars following the party and when rehearsal is canceled...
Episode 5
Mirror up to Nature
45 mins
Geoffrey assumes the direction of Hamlet and Richard and Holly assume that a disaster is just around the corner. Oliver's ghost frees Ellen's pet chameleon and viola Ophelia is recast.
Episode 6
Playing the Swan
47 mins
It's opening night for Hamlet and though Jack has shown promise, insidious words from Richard send him running. Ellen and Geoffrey finally talk about the breakdown and the events leading up to it, and if they can find their star, the show must go on!
