LSM Newswire

Thursday, March 19, 2009

CCOC in two COC productions this spring


Canadian Children's Opera Company
to appear with the
Canadian Opera Company this Spring!

The Canadian Children's Opera Company (CCOC) has already enjoyed a very full 2008/09 season. In addition to a number of Christmas concerts and their own production of A Dickens of a Christmas at the Enwave Theatre, they also participated in three Toronto Symphony Orchestra concerts. And they are just getting started . . .

Next on the schedule for these tremendously busy and talented young singers are two productions with the Canadian Opera Company: Giacomo Puccini's La bohme, which will run from April 17 to May 24, and Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, playing from May 5 to 23. Both productions take place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Puccini's ever-popular La bohme is a staple for every opera company and is one of the most frequently performed operas in the world. Twenty of the CCOC choristers will make their appearance in Act 2, as a great crowd gathers and the children clamour to see the wares of Parpignol, the toy seller.

Adapted from Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, the opera of the same name is perhaps Britten's most enchanting work. It is full of beautifully crafted, dreamlike and atmospheric music. The chorus of 20 fairies, all of whom will be supplied by the CCOC, has a huge part in this opera, appearing at the very beginning during the opening scene, all the way until the very end. Four choristers will also have solo parts (Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed, and Peaseblossom) and play musical instruments (2 recorders, woodblocks, and cymbals) on stage.

Being a part of the CCOC requires enormous commitment from the young singers, but nothing can compare to the thrill of being on stage for a major, full-scale production!

The Canadian Children's Opera Company, led by Artistic Director Ann Cooper Gay, is one of the world's few children's opera companies. The CCOC commissions, produces, records, and tours new operas and choral music, with children as principal performers. The company also regularly collaborates with other leading arts organizations and prominent individual performers, conductors, and directors. The Company contains six divisions, with over 200 children, and youth of ages 5 to 19. The newest division, OPERAtion Kids, is a non-auditioned program for ages 8-13.

Canadian Children's Opera Company and the COC
La bohme - April 17 to May 24, 2009
A Midsummer Night's Dream - May 5 to May 23, 2009
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen Street West, Toronto
Tickets available online at www.coc.ca, by calling 416-363-8231,
or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office

Special young people's tickets $30 to $109
(15 years of age or under, accompanied by and sitting next to an adult)

Beginning Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 10am, $20 tickets are available for patrons between the ages of 16 and 29 through the Opera for a New Age program
Valid photo ID is required upon pickup

Regular ticket prices range from $60 to $315

For more information, long on to www.canadianchildrensopera.com

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Monday, March 9, 2009

A Midsummer Night's Dream at the COC

NEW PRODUCTION OF SHAKESPEARES A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS Dream CLOSES THE cocS 2008/09 SEASON

Toronto, Ontario Closing the 2008/09 season is the COC premiere of Benjamin Brittens adaptation of William Shakespeares enchanting play A Midsummer Nights Dream. Making his COC debut is renowned American countertenor Lawrence Zazzo, a countertenor of gorgeous tone and superb control (New York Times), with the illustrious American coloratura soprano Laura Claycomb, known to COC audiences for her portrayal of Gilda in 2004s Rigoletto. Leading the COC Orchestra and Canadian Childrens Opera Company is internationally-renowned conductor and former music director of the Kansas City Symphony Anne Manson. This COC co-production with Houston Grand Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago is directed by Neil Armfield, a Dora Mavor Moore Award winner for 2001s Billy Budd. A Midsummer Nights Dream runs May 5, 8, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, and 23, 2009 and is sung in English with English SURTITLESѢ.

In an Athenian forest during a midsummers night, four lovers and a bumbling group of amateur actors find themselves at the mercy of fairies as the fairy and mortal worlds collide. Lawrence Zazzo is Oberon, king of the fairies, and his queen, Tytania, is sung by Laura Claycomb, who recently sang the role in Houston. Irish soprano Giselle Allen, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin, and Austrian baritone Wolfgang Holzmair, Don Alfonso in the 2006 production of Cos fan tutte, return as the mismatched couple Demetrius and Helena. American mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong makes her COC debut as Hermia, and Ensemble tenor Adam Luther is Lysander, Hermias lover. COC favourite, bass Robert Pomakov, who last appeared in both Don Giovanni and War and Peace is the irresistible Bottom. Former Ensemble bass Robert Gleadow, who also sings Colline in La Bohme this season, is Theseus, the Duke of Athens. His betrothed Hippolyta is sung by COC newcomer, mezzo-soprano Kelly OConnor. Bass-baritone Thomas Goerz, Benot in La Bohme, is Quince, and Ensemble graduate tenor Lawrence Wiliford is Flute. Ensemble members, bass Michael Uloth is Snug, tenor Michael Barrett is Snout, and baritone Alexander Hajek is Starveling. Actor Jamaal Grant appears as Oberons servant Puck. Making their company debuts creating the magical landscape are Australian set and costume designer

Dale Ferguson and lighting designer Damien Cooper.

To celebrate the 1960 reopening of the Jubilee Hall in Aldeburgh, Benjamin Britten wanted to compose a new opera, but with little time to write a new libretto, Britten chose to adapt Shakespeares

A Midsummer Nights Dream with the help of his long-time partner and celebrated tenor Peter Pears. With several alterations, it is still loyal to the spirit of the original, and is one of the most successful operatic adaptations of a Shakespeare play.

Tickets for A Midsummer Nights Dream are available online at www.coc.ca, or by calling 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W., Toronto). Ticket prices for all performances range from $60 to $290. Special young peoples tickets for all performances throughout the season are priced from $30 to $98. These ticket prices apply to those who are 15 years of age or under, accompanied by and sitting next to an adult.

Starting Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 10 a.m., $20 tickets are available for patrons between the ages of 16 and 29 through the Opera for a New Age program presented by TD Bank Financial Group and may be purchased online at www.coc.ca or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W., Toronto). Student group tickets are $20 per student and may be purchased by calling 416-306-2356. Remaining Opera for a New Age tickets will be released as $20 rush seats at 11 a.m. the morning of the performance, subject to availability.

Presenting Sponsor of SURTITLES: Sun Life Financial

Official Automotive Sponsor of the COC at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts:

Jaguar Land Rover Canada

Official Media Sponsors: CTV and The Globe and Mail

The COC Ensemble Studio is Canadas premier training program for young opera professionals and provides advanced instruction, hands-on experience, and career development opportunities. The Ensemble Studio is supported by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, RBC Financial Group, and other generous donors.

COC ANCILLARY EVENTS AND INFORMATION:

BMO Financial Group Pre-Performance Opera Chats

The COC offers free 20-minute introductions to the opera and its theme in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 45 minutes prior to every performance.

Appetite for Opera: A Midsummer Nights Dream

Appetite for Opera returns to Hilton Torontos Tundra Restaurant on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 for Appetite for Opera: A Midsummer Nights Dream, an evening that combines the cultural and culinary arts in an innovative gourmet event designed to delight and intrigue opera novices and seasoned fans. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:15 p.m. followed by a multi-course dinner at 7 p.m. and costs $89 per person. Each course is accompanied by a specially chosen wine, while COC Volunteer Speakers Bureau representative Robert Morassutti and the Hilton chef Kreg Graham provide fascinating links and insights between food, wine, and opera. Ticket and dinner packages can be purchased online at www.coc.ca.

Opera 101: A Midsummer Nights Dream

The Canadian Opera Companys popular FREE series, Opera 101, takes an enthusiastic look at

the COCs production of Brittens A Midsummer Nights Dream, on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at

7:30 p.m. Held at the culturally eclectic Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.), the event is designed to demystify opera by illuminating and illustrating different aspects of the art form. The session, including a question-and-answer period, features special guest, conductor Anne Mason, and host Brent Bambury from CBC Radios GO!. Opera 101 is a friendly, interactive, and informal event where opera neophytes can enjoy a drink and snacks and get the scoop on what opera is all about. New this season, audience members are invited to stick around following the discussion to enjoy FREE, live entertainment.

The Opera Exchange

The Canadian Opera Company, in collaboration with the Jackman Humanities Institute, the Munk Centre for International Studies, and the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, presents the last instalment

of the Opera Exchange series: Antique Fables and Fairy Toys: Brittens A Midsummer Nights Dream, held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The half-day symposium highlights the music in Benjamin Brittens transformation of William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream. Topics include: Shakespeares romantic comedy and the adaptations libretto and musical setting; the opera in the context of Brittens life and work; and, a performance-based workshop that explores the critical approaches to the music of Benjamin Britten. The Opera Exchange series: Antique Fables and Fairy Toys: Brittens A Midsummer Nights Dream takes place at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building, The Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park (at Museum subway station). Tickets are available by calling 416-363-8231, online at www.coc.ca, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W., Toronto). Tickets for the half-day session are $15, $10 for U of T faculty, $5 for students (with ID).

Canadian Opera Company Podcast Series

The Canadian Opera Company and Universal Music present a FREE podcast series that explores the depths of music in opera. Podcasts are available on www.coc.ca or through Universal Music at www.getmusic.ca/classical. A Midsummer Nights Dream-themed podcasts will be online starting in March 2009. These are entertaining programs designed to give listeners a chance to learn about opera, COC productions, and hear interviews from the artists and creative team. Throughout the year, listeners can tune in to hear music from the COCs 2008/09 season, roundtable discussions with special artists, as well as preview operas in the COCs 2009/10 season. Each podcast is created and hosted by COC personnel.

About the Canadian Opera Company

Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. The COC currently enjoys a remarkable 99% attendance rate for its mainstage season. The companys new home, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, was designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. and is Canadas first purpose-built opera house. The contemporary expression of a traditional five-tiered, European horseshoe-shaped auditorium was specifically designed for opera with the highest level of acoustics and provides unparalleled intimacy between the audience and the stage. Acclaimed as one of the best opera houses in the world, the Four Seasons Centre is also the performance venue for The National Ballet of Canada.

Canadian Opera Company Website

The Canadian Opera Company website, at www.coc.ca, contains information on all productions including synopses, historical background, and production photographs.

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Evenement theatrale en aglais OTHELLO de Productions Persephone au Musee McCord

Persephone Productions

prsentent

OTHELLO

par William Shakespeare

mise en scne Gabrielle Soskin

La tragdie intemporelle de Shakespeare s'illustre la puissance dvastatrice des mots de manoeuvrer, la persuade, et la dtruit finalement.


Othello, un noble amarrent, un hros militaire, est attrap en toile d'araigne terrifiante de dception dans ce travail passionnant par Shakespeare. Ce jeu dborde avec des motions inquitantes et contradictoires de l'amour et la haine, la jalousie et l'ambition, le dsir sexuel et l'intgrit individuelle, car les caractres luttent contre les forces qui les matrisent.


HORAIRES : Du 13 au 29 novembre 20H 00

Matines de la semaine : Le 14, 17, 19, 20, 24 & 26 nov. 13H 00
Matines de dimanche : Le 16 et 23 novembre 14H 00


cot de billets :

Adultes 26$
Groupes
(10 ou plus) 20$
ge d'or/tudiants 18$
Groupes d'tudiants 17,50$
Members de QDF 18$


McCord Museum : 690, rue Sherbrooke ouest

Thtre J. Armand Bombardier

BILLETTERIE : (514) 398 - 7100 poste 234

SITE WEB : www.persephoneproductions.org

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Theatre Event OTHELLO at McCord Museum (Persephone Productions)

Persephone Productions

presents

OTHELLO

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Gabrielle Soskin

Shakespeare's timeless tragedy illustrates the devastating power of words to manipulate, persuade, and ultimately destroy.


Othello, a noble moor, a military hero, is caught in a terrifying web of deceit in Shakespeare's gripping masterpiece. Brimming with disturbing and conflicting emotions: love and hate, jealousy and ambition, sexual desire and individual integrity, as the characters struggle against the forces that overpower them.


DATES & TIMES: November 13 to 29 8:00 pm

Weekday matines: November 14, 17, 19, 20, 24 & 26 1:00 pm
Sunday matines: November 16 and 23 2:00 pm


TICKETS PRICES:

Adults $26
Groups
(10 or more) $20
Students / seniors $18
School groups $17.50
QDF members $18


VENUE: McCord Museum

690 Sherbrooke Street West

J. Armand Bombardier Theatre

Box office: (514) 398 - 7100 ext. 234

WEB SITE: www.persephoneproductions.org

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

OTHELLO au Muse McCord


Persephone Productions prsente OTHELLO au Muse McCord


13 au 29 novembre 2008



Persephone Productions prsente Othello, clbre tragdie de Shakespeare, au Thtre J. Armand Bombardier du Muse McCord, du 14 au 29 novembre, ainsi qu'une avantpremire le 13 novembre.


Othello, noble Maure et hros militaire, est pris dans une terrifiante trame de tromperies dans ce chef-d'uvre captivant de Shakespeare. La pice illustre de faon poignante le pouvoir des mots pour manipuler et, ultimement, dtruire, tout en rvlant notre propre vulnrabilit face la persuasion. L'intrigue abonde en motions perturbantes et conflictuelles amour et haine, jalousie et ambition, pulsions sexuelles et intgrit individuelle alors que les personnages luttent contre les forces qui les accablent.


Entreprendre la production d'un imposant classique comme Othello constitue un dfi ambitieux. propos des raisons qui l'ont incite choisir cette pice particulire, Mme Soskin a dclar : Ce qui est si merveilleux propos d'Othello, c'est sa nature intemporelle. Comme toutes les grandes tragdies, il s'agit d'une tragdie humaine. Cette tragdie est centre sur des personnes, plutt que de porter spcifiquement sur la trahison, la jalousie, le pouvoir ou le racisme. Je crois que c'est ce qui rend l'uvre de Shakespeare si attrayante et formidable; il a crit propos de nous, tels que nous sommes rellement, avec toutes nos vulnrabilits. Le dfi spcial prsent par cette production consiste parler dans la langue riche et rehausse du texte tout en faisant en sorte que l'histoire soit claire et puisse facilement tre comprise. Je crois que le public pourra ainsi s'identifier avec ses vrits universelles.


La compagnie prsentera cette production sur une scne dnude, avec des costumes refltant la priode de la Renaissance conus par la nouvelle venue Raina-Clair Gillis, sous des clairages de Jody Burkholder et au son d'une musique originale de James Keenan Campbell, tudiant en premire anne du programme d'Arts l'Universit McGill, sous la direction de Mary Davidson, rgisseuse.


Fonde en 2000, Persephone Productions s'est donn comme mission de fournir une exprience de travail aux jeunes artistes professionnels du thtre, dans tous leurs domaines d'expertise. En plus d'offrir de merveilleux rles interprter aux diplms professionnels d'tudes thtrales, la compagnie compte deux autres formidables exemples de cet idal.


Gabrielle Soskin a rencontr Raina-Clair Gillis l'occasion d'un vernissage Envers, populaire boutique de vtements de Westmount appartenant au designer de mode qubcois Yves Jean Lacasse. Elles ont brivement discut de thtre et de haute couture et, la suite de cette conversation, Mme Soskin a invit RainaClair communiquer avec elle si elle tait intresse explorer la conception de costumes. Un an plus tard, RainaClair lui a tlphon pour lui annoncer qu'elle avait lanc sa propre entreprise de design de mode et tabli un studio sur le Plateau, et qu'elle tait toujours trs intrigue par la possibilit de concevoir des costumes pour le thtre. Ainsi, RainaClair a conu tous les costumes pour Othello, en plus de les fabriquer ellemme.


James Keenan Campbell est un autre exemple de brillante russite lie au mandat de Persephone. Une abonne la liste de diffusion a communiqu avec Mme Soskin, car elle savait qu'un tudiant de Minneapolis allait venir Montral pour tudier l'Universit McGill. Il tait intress par le thtre et avait mentionn son dsir de participer la scne locale. Grce une connaissance mutuelle, James savait dj que Persephone travaillait la production d'Othello, et il avait indiqu qu'il voulait composer la musique pour cette pice depuis un certain temps. Il a envoy Mme Soskin la musique qu'il avait compose l'cole secondaire pour sa production de The Crucible, ainsi que des chantillons de ses ides pour la composition d'une musique originale pour Othello. Bien que son concept initial pour la pice ne comprenait pas de musique originale, elle a aim ce qu'elle a entendu et elle a accept de lui donner la chance de relever ce dfi particulier.



Point mdiatique

Le jeudi 13 novembre 11 h

Muse McCord, Thtre J. Armand Bombardier

(690, rue Sherbrooke Ouest)

Il s'agit d'une excellente occasion de prendre des photographies de plateau, de filmer une scne de la pice, d'enregistrer des extraits sonores pour la radio, ainsi que d'effectuer des entrevues avec les acteurs ou les concepteurs artistiques.

Veuillez confirmer votre prsence auprs de Barbara Ford

ygraine7@videotron.ca

514 3427936


DATES ET HEURES : Les 13 et 29 novembre 20 h

Matines en semaine : 14, 17, 19, 20, 24 et 26 novembre 13 h
Matines le dimanche : 16 et 23 novembre 14 h

PRIX DES BILLETS :

Adultes 26 $
Groupes (10 ou plus) 20 $
tudiants / ge d'or 18 $
Groupes scolaires 17,50 $
Membres de la QDF 18 $

LIEU : Muse McCord

690, rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Thtre J. Armand Bombardier

BILLETTERIE : 514 398-7100, poste 234

SITE WEB : http://www.persephoneproductions.org/

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Persephone Productions: Othello

Persephone Productions Brings OTHELLO to the McCord Museum

November 13 29, 2008


Persephone Productions presents Shakespeare's great tragedy Othello at the McCord Museum's J. Armand Bombardier Theatre from November 14 29, with one preview November 13th.


Othello, a noble moor and a military hero, is caught in a terrifying web of deceit in Shakespeare's gripping masterpiece. The play vividly illustrates the power of words to manipulate and ultimately destroy, revealing our own vulnerability against the forces of persuasion. The plot is brimming with disturbing and conflicting emotions of love and hate, jealousy and ambition, sexual desire and individual integrity, as the characters struggle against forces that overpower them.


Tackling a hefty classic such as Othello is an ambitious undertaking. When asked what in particular about this play attracted Ms Soskin, she explained, "What is so wonderful about Othello is its timelessness. Like all great tragedies, it is tragedy of character. It is a tragedy about human beings, not a play specifically about betrayal, jealousy, power or racism. I think that is the appeal and greatness of Shakespeare; he wrote about us as we really are in all our frailty. The special challenge of this production is to speak the heightened and rich language of the text so that the story is clear and can be understood. I think the audience will then be able to identify its universal truth."


The company will stage this production on a bare stage with costumes that reflect the period of the Renaissance, designed by newcomer Raina-Clair Gillis, with lighting by Jody Burkholder and an original musical score by first-year McGill Arts student, James Keenan Campbell, with Mary Davidson at the helm as stage manager.


Created in 2000, Persephone Productions is mandated to provide work experience for young professional theatre artists in all areas of their expertise. Besides giving wonderful acting roles to professional theatre graduates, there are two other shining examples of this ideal.


Gabrielle Soskin met Raina-Clair Gillis at a vernisage at Envers, the popular Westmount clothing boutique owned by Quebecois fashion designer, Yves Jean Lacasse. They briefly discussed theatre design versus haute couture after which Ms Soskin suggested that Raina-Clair contact her if she would like to try her hand at costume design. A year later, Raina-Clair called to announce that she had launched her own fashion design business with a studio on the Plateau and was still very intrigued with the idea of designing for theatre. Not only did Raina-Clair design all the costumes for Othello, but she constructed them as well.


James Keenan Campbell is another model of the Persephone mandate in action. A mailing list member contacted Ms Soskin, as she knew of a student coming to Montreal from Minneapolis to attend McGill University. He had a penchant for theatre and expressed a desire to get involved in the local scene. Through the mutual connection, James already knew that Persephone was producing Othello and let it be known that he had wanted to write music for the play for some time. A score he had created for his high school production of The Crucible, as well as musical samples of the direction he would like to take with an original Othello score, were sent to Ms Soskin. Although her initial concept of the play did not include original music, she liked what she heard and agreed to give him a chance to meet this special challenge.




DATES & TIMES: November 13 to 29 8:00 pm

Weekday matines: November 14, 17, 19, 20, 24 & 26 1:00 pm
Sunday matines: November 16 and 23 2:00 pm

TICKETS PRICES:

Adults $26
Groups (10 or more) $20
Students / seniors $18
School groups $17.50
QDF members $18


VENUE: McCord Museum

690 Sherbrooke Street West

J. Armand Bombardier Theatre

Box office: (514) 398 - 7100 ext. 234

WEB SITE: http://www.persephoneproductions.org/

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Fall Theatre event



OTHELLO

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Gabrielle Soskin

Shakespeare's timeless tragedy illustrates the devastating power of words to manipulate, persuade, and ultimately destroy.

Othello, a noble moor, a military hero, is caught in a terrifying web of deceit in Shakespeare's gripping masterpiece. Brimming with disturbing and conflicting emotions: love and hate, jealousy and ambition, sexual desire and individual integrity, as the characters struggle against the forces that overpower them.

DATES & TIMES: November 13 to 29 8:00 pm

Weekday matines: November 14, 17, 19, 20, 24 & 26 1:00 pm
Sunday matines: November 16 and 23 2:00 pm

VENUE: McCord Museum

690 Sherbrooke Street West

J. Armand Bombardier Theatre

Box office: (514) 398 - 7100 ext. 234

WEB SITE: www.persephoneproductions.org

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Romeo et Juliette July 24 and 26 at Merrill Auditorium



PORTLAND, Maine PORTopera will present Charles Gounod's Romo et Juliette at Portland's Merrill Auditorium on Thursday, July 24 and Saturday, July 26, under the direction of Dona D. Vaughn, Artistic and Stage Director, with guest conductor Israel Gursky. Tickets for this romantic opera, based on Shakespeare's classic tragic drama Romeo and Juliet, are on sale now through PortTix, 207-842-0800.

For more information about Romo et Juliette visit www.portopera.org. Tickets are available online at www.porttix.com, by phone, 207-842-0800 or in person at the 20 Myrtle St. box office in Portland, Maine between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

About PORTopera:
PORTopera is Maine's only opera company performing fully staged operas with nationally and internationally acclaimed singers. PORTopera will be celebrating its 14th season in 2008 with two performances of Gounod's Romeo et Juliette in late July.


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Shakespeare season opens with aboriginal theme

The work of Shakespeare will prove its timelessness once again this summer when Mount Royal's Shakespeare in the Park (SITP) stages a fresh and strikingly relevant production of The Tempest with an aboriginal theme.

"I have always loved and wanted to do The Tempest, and I've been looking for the right context for the play," says Martin Fishman, artistic director of SITP, which kicks off its 21st season on July 3 at Prince's Island Park.

"We ended up going with an aboriginal theme in order to explore the different images we have of aboriginal people, and to showcase the best talent in the aboriginal community," he says.

A co-production with Mount Royal's Iniskim Centre dedicated to supporting aboriginal students and promoting their cultures the play tells the story of Prospero, an exiled duke who takes over an island and enslaves its native inhabitants.

Fishman's interpretation will feature aboriginal dancers and drummers, as well as actor Telly James in the role of Prospero's slave, the downtrodden Caliban.

"I'm pretty excited because, essentially, native theatre and mainstream theatre are coming together in this production," says James, a graduate of Mount Royal's Theatre Arts Performance Diploma program. "And as a native person, I definitely see relevance in Shakespeare's story. It's relevant because he deals with human nature. The settings can change, the times change, but human nature doesn't change."

Fishman adds that Shakespeare is extraordinary partly because his plays are open to a vast array of interpretations. "The language is remarkable, the characters so rich and the stories so universal that they speak to your heart.

"I think a lot of people still come to Shakespeare with fear and trepidation but, when we present it in a way that makes sense to them, the audience comes away with total understanding."

This season, SITP will also bring a new perspective to The Merry Wives of Windsor by setting the comedy in the 1950s. "If Shakespeare wrote a sit-com, this would be it," Fishman says, laughing. A noon-hour production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) will also run from August 616, starting at 12:10 p.m.

Mount Royal's 2008 Shakespeare in the Park season
The Tempest
The Merry Wives of Windsor

Dates: July 3August 23 (no Sunday performances)
Time: 7 p.m. nightly
Location: Prince's Island Park

For more information, visit www.myshakespeare.ca or call 440-6374.

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