Below are hi-res images (click “save image as” to retrieve full-resolution original) available for media to download and use, followed by the media release.
Check back later as new photos are being added as they are generated.
Cast of Private Fears in Public Places, in costume at The Gladstone Theatre
L-R Vivian Burns (Imogen), Sachi Lovatt (Nicola), Justin Hay (Ambrose), David Whiteley (Stewart), GianPaolo Lattanzio (Dan), Michael McLean (Arthur), Theresa Stork (Charlotte)
Photo credit: Rachel Worton
Stewart
David Whiteley, Artistic Director of Plosive Productions and director of Private Fears in Public Places, also appears in the role of Stewart in the show.
Photo credit: David Whiteley
Private Fears in Rehearsal
GianPaolo Lattanzio as Dan and Vivian Burns as Imogen
Photo credit: Rachel Worton
Private Fears in Rehearsal
David Whiteley as Stewart and Theresa Stork as Charlotte
Photo credit: Michael McLean
MEDIA RELEASE
Media contact: David Whiteley | 819-790-9930 | david@plosive.ca
Release date: June 9, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Opening Next Week: Private Fears in Public Places
a comedy by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by David Whiteley
June 18–28 at The Gladstone Theatre, produced by Plosive Productions
OTTAWA, ON: “Like Love Actually with brains.” Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy Private Fears in Public Places, opens next week at The Gladstone Theatre in Little Italy. The show previews June 18, opens June 19 and runs through June 28.
If you love films with humour, pathos and criss-crossing storylines, Private Fears in Public Places is for you. Playwright Alan Ayckbourn describes it as “like Pulp Fiction without the violence,” but director and actor David Whiteley says “it’s more like Love Actually with brains.” The New York Times called it “rueful, funny, touching and altogether wonderful.” The Guardian agreed: “Ayckbourn has not lost his rare, undervalued gift for comic compassion.” This production offers Ottawa audiences a first chance to see this charming, layered play that’s equal parts tender and clever.
Written a year after Love Actually, the show echoes its best elements, but better. Where Love Actually is all heart and belly laughs, Private Fears has heart, belly and brains. Ayckbourn—known as “Britain’s Neil Simon”—has previously tickled Ottawa audiences with How the Other Half Loves, Bedroom Farce, Absurd Person Singular, and The Norman Conquests. This more mature work mixes film-like style with sharp British banter to depict the loneliness of life in the big city. Ayckbourn uses wit, insight and compassion to tell the stories of six and a half Londoners searching for love, sex, and a decent apartment.
The cast features Vivian Burns, Justin Hay, GianPaolo Lattanzio, Sachi Lovatt , Michael MacLean, Theresa Stork and David Whiteley.
At The Gladstone Theatre (910 Gladstone Ave. at Preston St.) June 18‒28
Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:30 pm (No shows June 20-23)
For tickets see thegladstone.ca, call 613-233-4523 or email boxoffice@thegladstone.ca
Plosive Productions: plosive.ca | The Gladstone Theatre: thegladstone.ca