Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Director Keira Loughran brings an innovative staging of the legendary tale of Aeneas to the Studio Theatre. A contemporary echo of Virgil’s poem, The Aeneid begins previews today and officially opens on Friday, August 19.
Playwright Olivier Kemeid merges the story of his immigrant grandfather struggling to make his way to Canada with the epic journey of the Trojan hero as he escapes his ruined city and embarks on the adventures that lead him to become the founder of Rome. Developed through Stratford’s Laboratory, this world-première English-language translation by Maureen Labonté is an interdisciplinary epic, integrating text with physical theatre and Carnatic music.
“Sometimes great things grow out of defeat,” says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, “and the Roman poet Virgil gave us one powerful example of that in his Aeneid. The devastation of Troy leads to a triumphant new beginning: the founding of Rome. The epic tale finds a vibrant new life in this adaptation – a powerful story that could have been ripped straight from today’s headlines.”
“I never imagined when I first encountered this play in 2008 that its world would wash up in such immediate and devastating ways on our shores eight years later,” says Ms Loughran. “There are thousands of Aeneases, of all colours, sexes and creeds, seeking refuge today. As easy as it is to be overwhelmed by the tragedy, terror and injustice of the current crisis, revisiting Virgil’s poem reminds us that this situation is inevitable so long as there is human conflict, and prompts us to continue to relate these stories of struggle and survival.”
The production features Gareth Potter as Aeneas, Monice Peter as Creusa, Karen Robinson as Beroe, The Immigration Officer, The Sybil and Allecto, Lanise Antoine Shelley as Elissa, Lucy and Helen, Michael Spencer-Davis as Anchises, Saamer Usmani as Achates and Bahareh Yaraghi as Lavinia and Pyrgo.
The creative team includes Designer Joanna Yu, Lighting Designer Itai Erdal, Sound Designer Debashis Sinha, Dramaturge Bob White, Singing Coach Suba Sankaran and Movement Coach Tedi Tafel.
Support for the 2016 season of the Studio Theatre provided by Sandra & Jim Pitblado.
The Aeneid Forum Highlights
The Forum is a series of activities and events, featuring exclusive showcases, guest speakers, special meals, dynamic dialogues and family fun, that offer theatregoers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the ideas and issues raised by the 2016 playbill and its theme of After the Victory.
Themes related to The Aeneid will be explored through several Forum events, including:
• Lawrence Hill: The Illegal
Saturday, August 27, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Studio Theatre
Lawrence Hill is an award-winning and bestselling author of ten books and co-writer of the television miniseries based on his novel The Book of Negroes. In a candid interview with broadcaster Garvia Bailey, he will speak about his latest novel, The Illegal, and discuss the themes of alienation and migration embedded in the life of his protagonist, an elite marathoner who flees genocide in his homeland and takes up residence as an undocumented refugee in a nation that does not want him.
• Finding Home From Home
Wednesday, August 31, 10:45 a.m. to noon
Studio Theatre
Refugees who have moved to Canada recently speak about what prompted them to leave, what has transpired for them here, and what they hope for the future.
• Beyond the Huddled Masses
Saturday, September 17, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Studio Theatre
Harold Hongju Koh, former Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State; human rights activist Flora Terah-Igoki; and international human rights lawyer Payam Akhavan are former refugees or children of refugees who have made significant contributions to their new homelands. Hear how their personal histories led them to their current work on the frontlines of immigration and refugee rights.
Sustaining support for the Forum is generously provided by Kelly & Michael Meighen and the T.R. Meighen Family Foundation.
The 2016 season runs until November 5. It features Macbeth, As You Like It, A Chorus Line, Shakespeare in Love, A Little Night Music, All My Sons, Breath of Kings, John Gabriel Borkman, The Hypochondriac, The Aeneid, Bunny and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stratfordfestival.ca or call 1.800.567.1600.
Photo: Gareth Potter. ©2015 Don Dixon.
2016-08-02
Stratford: Previews for "The Aeneid" by Olivier Kemeid begin today