Content Note for The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine
About the Show
Ernest and Ernestine are a young married couple. Their lives are perfect, and they intend to keep it that way. The couple moves into a small, cramped basement apartment. Can their love sustain living together? A hilarious story of love, anger, and compromise unfolds as we watch this young couple struggle with the cracks forming in their perfect relationship. Physical comedy is a highlight of this play as they attempt to maintain love and order in their lives. A hometown team of Ottawa’s finest take on this Canadian comedy classic.
Who is this suitable for?
This show is suitable for adults, or well-prepared young people 13+.
An age rating is based on a general idea. You are the best judge of what content is a good fit for you or your child. Feel free to contact the box office if this note does not answer your questions.
What is the world of the show? What is the vibe?
Ernest and Ernestine acknowledge that the audience members are in the theatre with them, either with a simple look or by talking directly to them. The play combines physical comedy with dialogue between the two young lovers. These two newlyweds butt heads at times through misunderstandings but are held together through their fight for love.
The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine was not written by a playwright. It was created by three artists through a series of improvisations. This way of working is called devised creation. Eventually, the final product was written down as a guide and has become a comedy classic performed across Canada.
[Image Description: Six content note icons depicting elements from the show: haze, sexuality, swearing, verbal fighting, sudden loud noises and quick moving lights.]
The following topics are parts of the show: some are significant and others are only mentioned.
Swearing
Verbal fighting
Sexuality
Sexism
Reference to blindness
Domestic violence threats
Statements and moments suggestive of sex
Audience interaction. The characters know there is an audience, they sometimes ask the audience through gestures to support them with encouraging claps or cheers with their onstage activities.
What technical elements does this show include?
Haze (please note this will be reduced for the Relaxed Performance)
Music and distorted tones
Sudden loud noises (yelling, breaking items, slamming doors)
Furnace whirling and repetitive tones
Shifts in light
Quick moving lights
Startling moment (read the bottom of the note for full details)
The average decibel is 65 (like a busy classroom) and the loudest is 86 (like a food blender).
Additional environmental notes:
Characters eating on stage
Character brushing their teeth and spitting on stage
Content notes
If you have any questions or would like more information, we encourage you to connect with our Access Manager, Drea (email here, or by phone 613-236-5192 x 235).
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Startling moment: will be discussed now, if you would prefer this to remain a surprise at the end please stop reading now.
Near the very end of the play, one of the furnace pipes (closest to our left) will drop approximately two feet from its original position in the air to a lower position, but never come anywhere near the audience. It is a startling moment. It happens closest to seats A18-20, but is not overhead. It will possibly sound close by and this note is to reassure you that nothing will hit you.
