IN THE PHOTO: Matthew Jones (left) and Carter Grice have a unique early interaction in Stage One’s production of I Hate Shakespeare. Carter attempts to give the famous monologue he addresses to a skull while Matthew is an audience member not too impressed with the scene. The two join a cast of 15 — most playing more than one character — in the play. It will be presented on Friday and Saturday at the Black Box Theatre in the Old Main Building at Thompson Rivers University.
Up front stands Christopher Weddell, founder of Bard on the Beach, renowned for his work with Shakespearean plays.
In front of him sits a group of young actors rehearsing I Hate Shakespeare.
Oh, the tension the playwright himself could have written given such a scenario.
It might have even led to the almost mocking, definitely fun-poking script American playwright Steph DeFerie created when she wrote the script these students are learning.
For these students, part of Western Canada Theatre’s Stage One summer camp program, it was an opportunity to learn from one of the best how to make their characters come alive.
For Gaby P-Chamberlain — who, portraying the classic, tragic heroine from Romeo and Juliet, has a lengthy speech — it was a chance to achieve some new clarity.
“He gave us so many great pointers,” she said of the time Weddell spent with them. “My monologue is so different now. It’s so cool.”
For Megan Martin, who plays a Starbucks habitue with a true Valley Girl voice, it was an opportunity to learn just how important every word in the script should be.
“He told us we have to know what every word means,” she said. “Because if we don’t, we really can’t be the character.”
Briefly explained, I Hate Shakespeare is a takedown of the Bard’s classics, complete with an angry audience member, an inept Hamlet, a dating game and a talking cow.
Fifteen young people are in the production course and they are rehearsing at the Black Box Theatre at Thompson Rivers University.
Three presentations will be given this week after nine days of learning lines, moves, entrances and exits.
They had questions for Weddell, wanting to know how to bring their truly fascinating characters to life.
“You don’t have to prove yourself,” he told those playing some of the more imperial roles in the comedy. “You have to play with confidence. It’s all about finding your feet, how this character walks.
“An actor once told me, ‘I don’t know who I am until I find the right shoes.’ It’s about how to walk through the space,” Weddell said.
As for those facing the challenge of Shakespeare’s original words, written in verse, Weddell told them to say them as if they have a heartbeat.
He took the time to review some of the words the students weren’t familiar with and, when asked about his favourite play, told them it was King Lear.
Gaby and Megan, both veterans of the camp at five years for Gaby and four for Megan, said they share another reality beyond their love of acting.
Five minutes before the theatre goes from black to lights and the play has begun, they’re both nervous.
“‘I’m like, wow,” Gaby said. “And then, once I’m on stage, it’s like, whoa, and it’s all good.”
For Megan, the nerves also jingle as she waits for her entrance. “But, once I’m on, it’s all good.”
She said her nerves are also fairly on edge through the school year. A competitive dancer, she doesn’t have the spare time to take theatre classes WCT offers.
“So, I’m like waiting for summer to get here so I can do this.”
Gaby was involved with the Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music for a few years and was attracted to the theatre from that. She said after three years of KISSM classes, she saw an ad for Stage One’s camps.
“I thought, ‘I want to try that,’ but I was busy with KISSM, so I put it on hold for the next summer and I love it.”
She’s active in sports, as well, but said she prefers her time with theatre.
Jen Jones, one of four instructors with the show, said having the opportunity to learn from Weddell was amazing.
“I watched the light bulbs go on,” she said of the sessions the group spent with him. “All of a sudden, this all solidified for them. It was a unique experience and a pretty proud moment for Stage One to be able to do this.”
She said she’s not as familiar with Shakespeare’s plays as others are. “But, I love this play. It’s a funny play. And if you are familiar with him, if you do love Shakespeare, this play takes some of those moments you know and turns them around and makes them so funny.”
Other instructors include Allison Clow, Jessica Buchanan and WCT education co-ordinator Terri Runnalls.
Show times are 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is by donation to the Henry Vandenberghe Memorial Bursary. WCT uses it to help students in financial need attend theatre school.
ON STAGE
What: Stage One presents I Hate Shakespeare
When: Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday
Where: Thompson Rivers University’s Black Box Theatre
Tickets: By donation to the Henry Vandenberghe Memorial Bursary
The post Learning to hate Shakespeare appeared first on Kamloops This Week.