Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The School for Scandal, Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s delicious comedy of gossip, rumour-mongering and “fake news,” debuts at the Avon Theatre today, directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino.
As hilarious today as it was in the 18th century, this comedy also feels incredibly timely. It depicts a society obsessed with gossip and insinuation, in which the wealthy use malicious rumour and unfounded allegations to bolster their own reputations while destroying those of their enemies.
“The scandal sheets of the 18th century were the social media – and fake news outlets – of their day, and we’ll be drawing that parallel quite clearly in this production,” says Mr. Cimolino.
“Written in the months immediately after the Declaration of Independence, the play carries in its heart a longing for simple honesty and compassion. It ridicules those who manipulate facts and spin the truth to enhance their own reputations at the expense of others. It uses the device of theatre – disguise and role-playing – to reveal truth. In effect, it throws down the screen on hypocrisy and corruption.
“In this age of blogging, tweeting and relentless self-promotion, we need this play more than ever before.”
The stellar cast features Shannon Taylor as Lady Teazle, Geraint Wyn Davies as Sir Peter Teazle and Joseph Ziegler as Sir Oliver Surface, with Maev Beaty as Lady Sneerwell, Brent Carver as Rowley, Sébastien Heins as Charles Surface, Tyrone Savage as Joseph Surface and Brigit Wilson as Mrs. Candour.
The creative team includes Designer Julie Fox, who brings the opulence of the 18th century to the stage with a lavish set and breathtaking costumes, Lighting Designer Michael Walton, Composer Berthold Carrière, Projection Designer Nick Bottomley, Sound Designer Thomas Ryder Payne and Fight Director John Stead.
The School for Scandal officially opens on Saturday, June 3, and runs until October 21.
This production is dedicated to the memory of philanthropist and arts activist Joan Chalmers.
Production support is generously provided by M. Fainer, by Drs. M.L. Myers & the late W.P. Hayman and by the Tremain family.
Support for the 2017 season of the Avon Theatre is generously provided by the Birmingham family.
The School for Scandal Forum highlights
The Forum is a series of events, such as exclusive showcases, guest speakers, special meals, music and family fun, that offer theatregoers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the ideas and issues raised by the 2017 playbill. Themes related to The School for Scandal will be explored through several Forum events, including:
Wednesday, September 20
Join Jennifer Hollett (Twitter Canada), Andrew Lundy (The Canadian Press) and Kirstine Stewart (Diply Goviral) as they discuss self-branding, respectability policing and survival on the new frontier of social media.
The Stratford Festival’s 2017 season runs until October 29, featuring Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, Timon of Athens, Guys and Dolls, HMS Pinafore, Treasure Island, The School for Scandal, The Changeling, Bakkhai, Tartuffe, The Madwoman of Chaillot, The Komagata Maru Incident, The Virgin Trial and The Breathing Hole. For tickets and more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca or call 1.800.567.1600.
Photo: Geraint Wyn Davies and Shannon Taylor. ©2016 Lynda Churilla.
2017-05-15
Stratford: Previews for "The School for Scandal" begin today