With their production of The Shrew, by Charles Marowitz, the Battlefords Community Players are doing something a little different with their fourth and final play of the 2015-16 season.
First of all, it will be theatre in the round, something one of the co-directors says hasn't been done locally for decades.
Secondly, it's a tragedy that may push local audiences to a more extreme experience than they have been used to.
The play is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.
Veteran actor, playwright and director, Roy J. Challis, who is co-directing with Bernie Cardin, says, "Primarily, if Shakespeare were alive in 2016, this is what he would have written."
He adds, "Some of it is actually what he did write in the 1600s, but there are some modern pieces that are not iambic pentameter, it's just modern language."
He said they will be following Marowitz's adaptation closely, but they will be adding some things – in particular, music.
"There will be a lot of surprises, a lot of suspense," says Challis. "It's comedic, it's horrific, it's to remind people that we still have a struggle in our society between men and women, and while men don't recognize the trauma that they create with the women in their lives this is going to remind you, because there is strong violence."
However, the violence is not found throughout all the length of the play, he says.
"It just comes all of a sudden and then, bang! There it is right in front of your eyes."
Not only will The Shrew push the boundaries for the audience, it will also do so for the cast, says Challis. Many of the cast are rookies, he explains.
"Some are brand new at acting."
Some are more experienced, but "this is new," according to Challis.
"The approach that I am using to direct and the acting style I'm asking them to use to prepare for it is all new."
The Shrew was a challenge chosen as a way of allowing the club to stretch as artists and performers, says Challis.
"Instead of just learning the lines and getting onstage and saying them, everybody's part is to get to where they need to get to deal with this script."
He says, "That's kind of a major challenge and we think the people of the Battlefords deserve to see really fine live theatre."
The Shrew will be performed in the round in Lawrence Hall at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts March 16 through 19. Call 306-446-3133 for dinner tickets.
The cast will be Holly Briant as Bianca (and as She), Mayce Achtemichuk as Katherine, Jeff Arndt as Baptista, Clint Barret as Petruchio, Kerry Volk as Hortensio (and as He) and Amber Nelson as Grumio.
Stage manager for the Shrew is Liz Smith.
Directors Challis and Cardin came up with the set concept and set painting, respectively.
Lighting design is by Dannyll Challis.
Hall and set decoration is by Mary Lou O’Bertos and Barb O’Neal.
The masks to be used are created by Sherron Burns and Michael Brokop.
Metal work for “The Whistle” is by Geordie Smith.
The music was selected by Roy Challis and arranged by the singers, Jeff Arndt, Lea-Arin Warkentine, Holly Briant, Mayce Achtemichuk, Liz Jones, Liz Smith, Joanne Tatchell, James Jones, Kerry Volk and others. Guitar players are Jeff Arndt, Jeanna Walker and Kerry Volk.
