Theatre Arts Students put a new spin on Shakespeare
This year's Shakespearean play
by the graduating class of the
Theatre Arts program will be Lear,
based on King Lear.
“It's Shakespeare with a twist,” said Lana Bayram, who plays the Duke of Albany. King Lear, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare is about an aging King of Britain who divides his real estate among his three daughters based on how much they love him. Lear will be similar, but with more female characters and a modern take on the play.
“We're still speaking Shakespearean language, but we're doing it in a modern future,” said Brianna McBain, who plays Cordelia.
Another change in the play is that Lear will be played by a woman, turning the titular character from a king to a queen. “It's completely changes the dynamic because the relationship mothers have with their children are different from fathers,” said Vannie Ramazzotti, who plays the Earl of Gloucester.
“The play itself, you'll really feel the tension between the characters and families in the play; It's pretty much a roller coaster. Just be prepared for the ride. Tragic or not, it's a really beautiful play,” added Daniel Coley.
Theatre Arts — Technical Production and Technical Costume Studies are new programs that were introduced to Fanshawe this September. While all three programs were supposed to be together in one building, because of the delay on the downtown campus, they were split up for this play with Theatre Arts — Acting program at Citi Plaza and Theatre Technical Production and Costume Studies at main campus. “This is the first show that we're getting the three Theatre programs to collaborate on,” said Lawrence Cuffey, who plays the Duke of Cornwall.
The play is directed by Brad Rudy, who has been a member of the Stratford Festival for 22 seasons, and a part-time Fanshawe professor for the past three years. He also taught the students stage combat, preparing the students for the many fight scenes taking place in Lear.
“It's given me a new love for acting, and especially Shakespeare,” said Ariana Dalton, who plays Goneril. Though at first the cast was reluctant to doing a Shakespearean play, they fell in love with it.
“Of course the show is written by Shakespeare, but it's much more than just another Shakespeare sort of show, the way Brad has envisioned it, and the way we have been putting it on is something that people need to see,” Cuffey said.
Lear will play downtown at Citi Plaza from December 5 to 7 at 7:30 p.m., and December 7 and 8 at 2 p.m., with a preview on December 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door, and there will be a box available outside the show for canned food for charity. Tickets can be reserved by contacting Alina Subrt at 519-434-2756 ext. 230 or ASubrt@fanshawec.ca
“It's Shakespeare with a twist,” said Lana Bayram, who plays the Duke of Albany. King Lear, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare is about an aging King of Britain who divides his real estate among his three daughters based on how much they love him. Lear will be similar, but with more female characters and a modern take on the play.
“We're still speaking Shakespearean language, but we're doing it in a modern future,” said Brianna McBain, who plays Cordelia.
Another change in the play is that Lear will be played by a woman, turning the titular character from a king to a queen. “It's completely changes the dynamic because the relationship mothers have with their children are different from fathers,” said Vannie Ramazzotti, who plays the Earl of Gloucester.
“The play itself, you'll really feel the tension between the characters and families in the play; It's pretty much a roller coaster. Just be prepared for the ride. Tragic or not, it's a really beautiful play,” added Daniel Coley.
Theatre Arts — Technical Production and Technical Costume Studies are new programs that were introduced to Fanshawe this September. While all three programs were supposed to be together in one building, because of the delay on the downtown campus, they were split up for this play with Theatre Arts — Acting program at Citi Plaza and Theatre Technical Production and Costume Studies at main campus. “This is the first show that we're getting the three Theatre programs to collaborate on,” said Lawrence Cuffey, who plays the Duke of Cornwall.
The play is directed by Brad Rudy, who has been a member of the Stratford Festival for 22 seasons, and a part-time Fanshawe professor for the past three years. He also taught the students stage combat, preparing the students for the many fight scenes taking place in Lear.
“It's given me a new love for acting, and especially Shakespeare,” said Ariana Dalton, who plays Goneril. Though at first the cast was reluctant to doing a Shakespearean play, they fell in love with it.
“Of course the show is written by Shakespeare, but it's much more than just another Shakespeare sort of show, the way Brad has envisioned it, and the way we have been putting it on is something that people need to see,” Cuffey said.
Lear will play downtown at Citi Plaza from December 5 to 7 at 7:30 p.m., and December 7 and 8 at 2 p.m., with a preview on December 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door, and there will be a box available outside the show for canned food for charity. Tickets can be reserved by contacting Alina Subrt at 519-434-2756 ext. 230 or ASubrt@fanshawec.ca
