PRESS FILE:
Dean Gabourie, Director
THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? by Edward Albee
Thrilling...Jawdropping wit and fury - New York Times
Gripping...intensely cathartic - Chicago Tribune
Triumphant...Relentless, funny and occasionally profound - Toronto Star
Directed with precision by Dean Gabourie, the production featured superlative performances in the two lead roles, with Lucy Peacock exuding sharpness, shock and yet a measure of bruised and bewildered sensitivity as Stevie, who discovers that her husband, played with quietly tortured anguish by Rick Roberts...Mr. Gabourie’s trenchant production brought out the play’s disorienting ability to make us sympathetic to the unfathomable and illuminated with a clear-eyed compassion strange and transgressive human behavior. - The Wall Street Journal
The current production at Stratford is the best I have seen since 2004 and in many ways even better. Director Dean Gabourie understands the greater implications of Albee’s off-putting choice of subject and has beautifully shaped the play in its radical transformation from comedy to tragedy. Of all the plays I’ve seen at Stratford so far, this one stands out as the play that theatre lovers must not miss. - Stage Door
Under their inspired director, this cast is fearless…Dean Gabourie’s creatively nuanced direction demonstrates his high proficiency in interpreting the text and blocking actors in the limited confines of the studio space. - Our Theatre Voice
Director Dean Gabourie has let the play unfold slowly but then relentlessly, without sentiment, or holding back. He has directed a bristling production of a provocative play with care and attention. - The Slotkin Letter
THE WEEKEND HEALER by Bryden MacDonald
The Weekend Healer is akin to watching a slow-motion car accident - it will leave you shaken and raw. But it is a story so beautifully written, skillfully acted and expertly directed that although you may want to, you will not be able to turn away. - The Coast
Bryden MacDonald's searing family drama The Weekend Healer played to sold-out audiences and tore out hearts
- Local Xpress.ca
The Weekend Healer was named one of the Top shows of 2016 by Local Xpress (Halifax, N.S.)
The Weekend Healer was named one of the Top Five Shows of 2016 by The Coast (Halifax, N.S.)
Outstanding Direction Nomination, 2016 Robert Merritt Awards
THE CASTLE by Howard Barker
His (Barker's) text requires close listening, and happily, director Dean Gabourie explicates the emotional arc of this sometimes knotty story in masterly fashion. He draws fine performances from his cast in roles large and small, never allowing the language to become a mushy assault of meaningless words. - NOW Magazine
THE THRILL by Judith Thompson
The actors, and director Dean Gabourie, present raw, honest, imperfect characters who are struggling to maintain the love, meaning, and dignity in their lives. This play is moving and thought-provoking. It makes you laugh and cry equally heartily-just as life does sometimes. - Broadway.com
THE BEST BROTHERS by Daniel MacIvor
Dean Gabourie's direction is flawless... - Globe & Mail
Under Dean Gabourie’s adroit direction, The Best Brothers fills its space, physically and spiritually. - National Post
Director Dean Gabourie keeps The Best Brothers crisp and clean and intense as a pure dance. The pacing allows you to see inside the characters’ hearts, however briefly, between bursts and intercuts of dialogue. - Chronicle Herald
The Best Brothers was named one of the Top Ten shows of 2015 by The Coast (Halifax, N.S.)
TWO GENTLEMEN of VERONA by Shakespeare
The Two Gentlemen of Verona is my favourite production at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival this year. It is hopelessly romantic, simply staged, clever yet well-developed, deep but still sweet, and ultimately brotastic. I loved every minute of it. - My Theatre.com Best Director Nomination, 2010 My Theatre Awards
AS YOU LIKE IT by Shakespeare
The Hilberry Rep's guest director, Dean Gabourie, delivers a slick and well-acted comedy. - Encore Michigan
Gabourie's superb work is getting his actors to understand and comfortably deliver every word…it is the contrasts that director Gabourie latches onto and has the most fun with. - Pridesource Detroit
CROOK BACK DICKY adapted from the works of Shakespeare
Sid Vicious + Shakespeare = LOVE! - Fringe blog
A stroke of genius…a high-concept, punk rock adaptation of Shakespeare's Richard III, deserves credit for its imagination and showmanship. - EYE Magazine
The multimedia piece fascinates… - NOW Magazine
Fantastic show…the execution is brilliant...a fantastic performance…it’s obvious the creative team understands this play. I am not a huge fan of Richard III but I adored this and recommend it for anyone who wants to see interesting theatre.
- The National Post
THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? by Edward Albee
The Goat explodes with Comedy, Tragedy, and Horror! Director Dean Gabourie has a masterful command of Albee's conversational rhythms and climactic confrontations. The cast is, in a word, superb...miss The Goat at your peril; it's going to be the most talked-about play in Halifax for months. - The Daily News
AUDIENCE by Vaclav Havel
“The Actors played your text with such passion and such a depth of feeling that Patricia and I were moved to tears. It was a truly memorable moment and great Theatre. “
- An open letter to Vaclav Havel from his Canadian translator, Paul Wilson.
AWAKE and SING by Clifford Odets
A superbly staged production! The nine-member cast does Odet's script justice, evoking his street slang, his layered characters, and their desire for hope, by delivering each line with passion. - Canadian Jewish News
BEREAV'D of LIGHT by Ian Ross
Under Dean Gabourie's direction, Bereav'd of Light, is excellently acted... - National Post
Gabourie directs the play with both skill and style… - The Star
AUDIENCE-UNVEILING-PROTEST by Vaclav Havel
An enlightened and intelligent production yet highly entertaining, a drama definitely worth seeing, seamless and clear.
- NOW Magazine
THE WATER CRAWLERS by Geoff Kavanagh
The best thing about The Water Crawlers is its visual poetry...Dean Gabourie's direction gives the play its visual definition. - The National Post
The Water Crawlers is directed with expressionistic force and lyrical tenderness. - EXTRA Magazine
THE BUNDLE by Edward Bond
Gabourie's production plays with the physicality of the actors and the rigour in the text it's thought, the execution of ideas are paralleled in Gabourie's Brechtian concept and direction. - NOW Magazine
ST. NICHOLAS by Conor McPherson
Critics Pick: Director Dean Gabourie pulls out all the dramatic stops. - NOW Magazine
ALTARPIECES by Melissa Bell
Under Dean Gabourie's direction the performances are carefully crafted, so seamless they make you feel like you haven't seen any acting at all. - The Toronto Sun