Department of Common Sense coming to Bus Stop

No government has ever had the guts – or brains – to create a Department of Common Sense, probably because it could never live up to the name; but, playwright Ryan Van Horne makes Nova Scotia the first province to get a Department of Common Sense – if only to entertain you.

Van Horne, a journalist who worked on the inside as a government communicator for three years, has woven nuggets of truth into this satirical look at government and bureaucracy in which a new department is created to put an end to foolishness in government. The one-act play follows a straight-talking, tequila-sipping minister and two whip-smart women on his staff who take on a persnickety bureaucrat in a battle of wills – and wits.

Department of Common Sense will make you shake your head in disbelief, nod with painful understanding, or seethe with anger. It might even make you do all three, and it is sure to make you laugh as it returns to Halifax for a three-day, four-show run at The Bus Stop Theatre at 2203 Gottingen St., from March 14 to 16.

Community theatre veteran Nick Jupp directs a talented all-local cast that includes Lianne Perry, Mark Adam, Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons, Rob McIntyre, Fiona MacKinnon, and Neil Van Horne.

There will be shows nightly at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. The Bus Stop Theatre is a licensed venue with a cash bar and we invite you to enjoy refreshments before and after the performance.

Critics praise Department of Common Sense

Sophia Smart (Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons) warns persnickety bureaucrat Richard Clod (Rob McIntyre)
that she'll be keeping an eye on him.

During the 2013 Atlantic Fringe Festival, Department of Common Sense achieved box-office success but also earned praise from theatre reviewers.

Stephen Cooke writes in his review in The Chronicle Herald that Department of Common Sense:

"mixes a vintage screwball comedy flavour with a knowing nod to modern politics, and its characters are sharply drawn, especially the female leads who exude confidence, and pride in their ability to get around their so-called superiors."

Kate Watson of The Coast writes:

"There is comedy gold to mine from the workings of government, and playwright Ryan Van Horne has posted a surplus with this show."

Department of Common Sense earned 3.5 stars out of 5 from theatre critic Amanda Campbell on her blog, The Way I See It Theatre. Campbell writes:

"Department of Common Sense is an amusing piece of theatre that pokes fun at the ridiculous situations in office and political bureaucracies that a great many of us can ardently relate to."

Media coverage from Atlantic Fringe Festival

Sophia Smart (Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons) tells Richard Clod (Rob McIntyre) how much she LOVES it when a process is followed perfectly, if you know what she means.

Department of Common Sense got amazing coverage during the 2013 Atlantic Fringe Festival and generated tremendous buzz.

Here are some of the media outlets that did stories on the play.

CBC Television

Radio-Canada International

CBC Information Morning (Radio)

89.9 The Wave FM

Metro Halifax

Arts East

Ham Hands theatre blog

All the coverage helped generate tremendous interest in the festival and the play, which was named a Fringe Hit.