THEATRE NEWS: Governor General’s awards list down to 70
14 Oct'10

JOHN COULBOURN - QMI Agency

Competition for the 2010 Governor General’s Literary Awards got a lot stiffer Wednesday. The Canada Council narrowed more than 1,700 eligible works down to a short list of 70 writers, translators and illustrators who will compete for the 14 Gov-Gen prizes, each of which carries a purse of $25,000.

In the English language fiction category, the competition is between Regina’s Sandra Birdsell (Waiting For Joe), London, Ont.’s Emma Donoghue (Room), Curve Lake, Ont.’s Drew Hayden Taylor (Motorcycles and Sweet Grass) Regina’s Dianne Warren (Cool Water) and Montreal’s Kathleen Winter (Annabel).

In English language non-fiction, the finalists are Toronto’s Elizabeth Abbott (A History of Marriage), Toronto’s Ian Brown (The Boy in the Moon: A Father’s Search for His Disabled Son), Saskatoon’s Allan Casey (Lakeland: Journeys Into the Soul of Canada), Toronto’s Karen Connelly (Burmese Lessons: A Love Story) and Kitchener’s John English (Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 1968 —2000).

In English language drama, Robert Chafe of St. John’s, Nfld., and his play AFTERIMAGE will be in competition with four Toronto playwrights and their works: Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman (SCRATCH), Michael Healey (COURAGEOUS), Judith Thompson (SUCH CREATURES) and David Yee (LADY IN THE RED DRESS).

Winners in all categories will be announced Nov. 16, with presentations to be made at Ottawa’s Rideau Hall by Gov. Gen. David Johnston on Nov. 25. For the lists of finalists in the other Governor General’s Literary Award categories — including poetry, children’s literature — go to canadacouncil.ca.