"Slings and Arrows" (2003) TV series 2003-2006

Creators:

Susan Coyne
Bob Martin
Mark McKinney

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

3 November 2003 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

The real show is backstage.

Plot:

In the fictional town of New Burbage, legendary theatrical madman Geoffrey Tennant returns to the New Burbage Theatre Festival...

Plot Keywords:

Theatre | Mentor | Theatre Audience | Play Within Film | Theatre Production

Awards:

21 wins & 27 nominations

Cast

Martha Burns	...	Ellen Fanshaw (18 episodes, 2003-2006)
Paul Gross	...	Geoffrey Tennant (18 episodes, 2003-2006)
Don McKellar	...	Darren Nichols (18 episodes, 2003-2006)
Mark McKinney	...	Richard Smith-Jones (18 episodes, 2003-2006)
Oliver Dennis	...	Jerry (18 episodes, 2003-2006)
Stephen Ouimette	...	Oliver Welles (17 episodes, 2003-2006)
Susan Coyne	...	Anna Conroy (17 episodes, 2003-2006)
Graham Harley	...	Cyril (16 episodes, 2003-2006)
Michael Polley	...	Frank (16 episodes, 2003-2006)
Catherine Fitch	...	Maria (16 episodes, 2003-2006)
Leon Pownall	...	Brian (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Rothaford Gray	...	Nahum (9 episodes, 2003-2005)
Sean Cullen	...	Basil (9 episodes, 2003-2005)
Matt Fitzgerald	...	Sloan (8 episodes, 2003-2005)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Australia:M | Canada:A

Company:

Rhombus Media

Trivia:

Paul Gross plays Geoffrey Tennant, a stage actor best known (before his mental breakdown) for his performance as Hamlet. In an episode of "Due South" (1994) titled "A Hawk and a Handsaw", Gross' character Benton pretends to be insane, not unlike the character of Hamlet. The name of the episode comes from a line in Hamlet where he tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he can "tell a hawk from a handsaw" - that he is sane.

Quotes:

Cyril: [singing, with friend joining in on the chorus] Cheer up, Hamlet; chin up, Hamlet; buck up, you melancholy Dane! So your uncle is a cad who murdered Dad and married Mum. That's really no excuse to be as glum as you've become! So wise up, Hamlet; rise up, Hamlet; perk up and sing a new refrain. Your incessant monologizing fills the castle with ennui...

One of the best things I've ever seen on TV.

Intelligent, witty, insightful writing that each and every actor clearly loves having the chance to deliver. Fully-rounded, complex characters, examined with insight and empathy. A deep love and rich understanding of life in the theater, with all its excitement and pitfalls. Perfectly paced, with a pleasing balance between comedy and drama. It's so rare to see a work that treats its subject, characters, actors, and audience with so much respect. Very few shows have made me care so much about how everything would turn out, or left me so satisfied at the final fade-out. This is one I look forward to seeing again and again.