Katharina the Shrew (Maddie McKee) and Petruchio (Ben McCluskey) are the main characters in ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’
A group dedicated to bringing the work of William Shakespeare to the stage returns to Fort Macleod on Friday, July 14.
The Lethbridge Shakespeare performance Society will stage The Taming of the Shrew at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Empress Theatre.
“We feel that it is really important to bring live Shakespeare performances to southern Alberta,” producer Kate Connolly said of the society formed in 2012.
“Shakespeare is still important to many people. Everybody knows about Shakespeare but they very rarely would see live performances.”
The society has performed several times at the Empress, staging Romeo and Juliette, Macbeth, The Tempest, The Comedy of Errors and Hamlet.
William Shakespeare is believed to have written The Taming of the Shrew between 1590 and 1592.
Filled with deception and disguises, The Taming of the Shrew is based on the competition between three suitors for Bianca’s hand in marriage.
At the heart of the comedy though, is Petruchio’s courtship and attempt to tame the wild Katherina into an obedient and loving wife. Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship.
“When Shakespeare’s characters come alive on the stage it’s so much easier to see the different motivations of all the characters — the way they relate to each other,” Connolly said of a benefit to live performance.
The play abridged by Connolly and directed by Jesse Thibert is set in 1960s Nanaimo, B.C. but contains the Shakespearian English dialogue.
The role of Bianca is played by Mataya Britton, and Maddie McKee is Katharina the Shrew.
Ben McCluskey is Petruchio and the suitors to Bianca are Lucentio (Morgan Hill), Horenso (Trevor Loman) and Gremio (Jeff Graham).
The cast also includes Ginny Little-Bergsma as Baptista, Jess Nguyen as Vincentio and the tailor and hat-maker, Lucas Kramps as Tranio, Emily Laidlaw as Biondello, Autumn Adrian as Grumio, Harley Czech as Curtis and Widow, and Kaylee Johnson as Merchant.
Assistant director is Eli Dueck, stage managers are Jackson Paquette, Em Carlson and Nicole Oscar, associate producer is Mary-Lynn Muhly, costume designer is Amanda Epp, assistant costume designer is Em Carlson and stitchers are Megan Epp and Samantha Steynen.
Sound designer is Luc Toupin and sound technicians are Eli Dueck, Cole Fetting, Megan Epp and Megan Fennell.
Graphic designers are Tess Hammerstedt and Stephanie Savage, set and props is Megan Fennell, promotions manager is Connor McCaughtrie and intimacy director is Kacie Hall.
The Taming of the Shrew will be performed at Galt Gardens in Lethbridge at 7 p.m. on July 20, July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, Aug. 17 and Aug. 18.
Performances are also planned at 2 p.m. July 16 at the Coutts Centre in Nanton; 7:30 p.m. July 21 at Nikka Yukio Japanese Garden in Lethbridge; and 2 p.m. July 29 at The Venue in High River.
The Empress Theatre is a favoured location for the actors and support crew.
“The Empress is just one of their most favourite venues,” Connolly said. “They just love the atmosphere.”
Connolly is hopeful the Fort Macleod audience will be inspired to view another Shakespeare play after watching the F.P. Walshe school drama club’s presentation of Romeo and Juliet in June.
“I thought they were outstanding,” Connolly said of director Graham MacBean and his youthful cast and crew. “I’ve never seen such a great school production.”
