Join Common Boots Theatre for our Summer Bash, a fundraising and community event that celebrates the company’s past, present and future!

AUGUST 23rd, 7-11pm
Society Clubhouse (967 College St)

There will be performances, live music, speeches, a silent auction, delicious dinner from Tita Flips and a 26.27 season announcement! You can also come meet Common Boots’ new Co-Artistic Directors, Alex and Morgan, as they launch their first season leading the company!

The venue is wheelchair accessible.

TICKETS HERE

Ratbag

(1993)

Home » Projects » Ratbag

Theatre Columbus Presents

Ratbag

An Underground Rhapsody

Written by Martha Ross and John Millard

  • Performer 1Benedict Campbell
  • Performer 2Simon Fortin
  • Performer 3Kate Hennig
  • Performer 4Daniel Kash
  • Performer 5Iraina Neufeld
  • Performer 6Duncan Ollerenshaw
  • Music Performed byThe Polka Dogs
  • Directors Leah Cherniak and Peter Hinton
  • Playwrights Martha Ross and Robert Millard
  • Music DirectorAllen Cole
  • Lighting DesignerJohn Munro
  • Sound Designer/ComposterGeorge Axon
  • Choreographer Darcey Callison

London, England, 1861. Post Industrial Revolution. The Ratbag family sets up house in the sewers below ground. When young Rathead falls in love with Dolce Dolta, a woman from the gentry from the modernized world above, we discover the dark and hidden secrets of the Ratbag clan.

A woman and man dressed in Victorian clothing hold the woman's hand to the man's chest. They both look concerned.
4 Working class Victorians with white face makeup. They appear to be sardonically celebrating
A Photo of the band - The Polka Dogs. They are a 8-person brass band including an accordionist and a conductor

Awards and Reviews

1993 Dora Awards – Large Theatre

  • Award Outstanding Performance by a Female – Musical: Kate Hennig 
  • Nomination for Outstanding New Play or Musical: John Millard & Martha Ross
  • Nomination for Outstanding Production of a Musical: Theatre Columbus and The Canadian Stage Company
  • Nomination for Outstanding Sound Design: Allen Cole (Musical Direction)
  • Nomination for Outstanding Set Design: John Ferguson
  • Nomination for Outstanding Costume Design: John Ferguson
  • Nomination for Outstanding Lighting Design: John Munro
  • Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female – Musical : Iraina Neufeld
  • Nomination for Outstanding Perfoemance by a Male – Musical: Benedict Campbell

“Ratbag is something of a rare breed  – a dark, infectious, intelligent musical that ends unhappily.”

– Simon Houpt, Eye