KIMBERLEY BERRETH, GAZETTE CONTRIBUTOR
A cast of F.P. Walshe school students will bring Tooth & Tail to the stage at the Empress Theatre on June 4-6 at 7 p.m.
Fifteen students in Grade 10-12 have been preparing for this fairytale that is told through a swashbuckling, darkly humorous lens, focusing on female friendship, love, betrayal and redemption.
“This is the first play for several of our cast members, and they have risen to the challenge to create a memorable and beautiful journey to another world,” said Graham MacBean, the play director and drama teacher.
MacBean aims to challenge students each year by choosing a play with an element they have not studied before, such as acting style, period, tone, or plot.
Tooth & Tail is a piece that allows students to learn about technical theatre.
“The set and costume design for this play in particular has been an exciting opportunity to display something uniquely theatrical,” MacBean said.
In contrast to last year’s Pride and Prejudice, which was grounded in realism, this play goes out of its way to show the artifice of the stage.
“While the text in this play may be simpler than some of the classic plays we have previously performed, the students have put an incredible amount of work into building costumes, set pieces, props, puppets, as well as the lights and sound,” MacBean said.
Tooth & Tail is a fantastical story that MacBean hopes is grounding for audiences.
“I believe young people are looking for something ancient, meaningful, real, and human,” MacBean said. “This play highlights the dangers of jealousy and a misplaced identity but ultimately paints a picture of a path back to community, and reconciliation.”
Fantasy as a genre is often seen as cheap escapist entertainment.
Even though the premise of this tale is preposterous and fantastical, MacBean said audiences will appreciate the authenticity of the costumes and quality of the production.
“While the audience knows the world is imaginary, the characters do not,” MacBean said. “When children watch a puppet show, they know in their minds that the puppets are not alive, but they feel in their hearts that they are. I invite you to watch this play in that spirit!”
Tickets to Tooth & Tail are available at www.macleodempress.com, 403-553-4404 or in person at the box office on Main Street.
