Press Release
Hubcity Theatre brings The Winter’s Tale to Moncton’s Victoria Park July 25-28
July 8, 2013
For immediate release
A jealous husband, a wife
on trial for adultery, a charming con-man and an angry bear can all be found in
Moncton’s Victoria Park this summer.
Hubcity Theatre is proud
to present its 2013 Shakespeare in the
Park with “The Winter’s Tale”
playing at Moncton’s Victoria Park July 25, 26, 27 at 6:30 p.m. and a matinee
show at 1:30 p.m. on July 28.
“Many people see this as one of Shakespeare’s more challenging plays but I find it fascinating,” says Paul Power, Artistic Director for Hubcity Theatre. “It’s one of the lesser known plays – and not produced as often as other offerings - but I think it’s one Moncton audiences will really enjoy. It has everything – comedy, tragedy and romance.”
First performed in 1611, five years before Shakespeare's death, The Winter’s Tale appears, on the surface, to be two plays. First comes the story of King Leontes of Sicilia, who becomes suspicious of an affair between his wife Hermione and childhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia. The second half, taking place mostly in Bohemia, chronicles the love affair between Perdita and Polixenes’ son, Florizel, sixteen years later. While the first half is steeped in tragedy the second is seen by most as a romantic comedy – both lands come together at the end for a climactic conclusion.
“The Winter's Tale” also includes one of Shakespeare's most legendary and challenging stage directions, "Exit pursued by bear".
“We thought we would have fun with this challenging direction and are proud to welcome Moncton local celebrities in the cameo role of "the bear" each night,” says Power. “Our guests scheduled include Mandy and Ernie from the C103 Breakfast Club, City Councillor Dawn Arnold and Wild Willie from the Moncton Wildcats. We’re excited and think audiences will love this as well.”
Shakepeare in the Park 2013: The Winter’s Tale is a free performance for the community and Power says community is what his production is all about.
“We’re proud to offer this free performance each year to the Moncton community thanks to the generous support of the City of Moncton,” says Power. “The show really is a community event – because it’s free, anyone can come enjoy the performance. Our volunteer actors, musicians and stage crew have also been great. We really have a fantastic group of talented diverse artists this year and those doing cameo appearances have been so enthusiastic and supportive. Everyone’s dedication proves to me that Moncton’s arts community is alive and thriving and Hubcity Theatre is proud to be a community leader in that success.”
For more details on Hubcity Theatre’s production of The Winter’s Tale visit www.hubcitytheatre.com or find Hubcity Theatre on facebook.
The Winter's Tale
Join us for Shakespeare in The Park 2013 as Hubcity Theatre presents
The Winter's Tale
Victoria Park - Moncton
July 25, 26, 27 at 6:30 pm
July 28 at 1:30 pm
This is a FREE performance. Donations appreciated.
Performance area at the North-East corner of the park close to the corner of Weldon and John Street.
Grass seating only. Please bring a blanket/chair to sit on.
This year's performance is stationary - presented in one location. Audiences will not be required to travel to different areas of the park during performance.
Exit pursued by bear: Guest Appearances from C103 Morning Team, Moncton Wildcats and City of Moncton!
The Winter's Tale includes one of Shakespeare's most legendary and challenging stage directions, "Exit pursued by bear". Hubcity Theatre is proud to welcome Moncton local celebrities in the cameo role of "the bear" each night.
Our "bear celebrities" are:
June 25: Mandy Macdonald - C103 Breakfast Club
June 26: Ernie Steeves - C103 Breakfast Club
June 27: Dawn Arnold - Councillor at Large, City of Moncton
June 28: Wild Willie - Moncton Wildcats
About the play:
Warning: Spoiler Alert!
First performed in 1611, five years before Shakespeare's death, The Winter’s Tale appears, on the surface, to be two plays. First comes the story of King Leontes of Sicilia, who becomes suspicious of an affair between his wife Hermione and his childhood friend King Polixenes of Bohemia. Leontes tries to poison Polixenes, andro when the Bohemian escapes, puts the queen on trial for treason. The Queen and Prince Mamillius die from despair, and Princess Perdita, whom Leontes mistakenly believes to be a bastard child, is cast off to a remote region of Bohemia.
The second half, taking place mostly in Bohemia, chronicles the love affair between Perdita, now an adopted daughter of a shepherd, and Polixenes’ son, Florizel, sixteen years later. When Polixenes bans the proposed marriage, the two lovers flee to Sicilia. In Sicilia, the two stories come together to an ultimate climax of forgiveness, reconciliation and resurrection!
The Winter's Tale
Cast
Brad Butland: Leontes
Melanie Mealey: Hermione
Maren Mealey: Mamillius
Amanda Spear: Paulina
Christina Farnsworth: Camillo
Abigail de Niverville: Emilia
Cody Bolton: Antigonus/Florizel
Samantha Michaud: Lord 1
Ellen Mack: Lord 2
Peter de Niverville: Polixines
Jourdyn Gatza: Perdita
Jeanne Cormier: Shepherdess
Beatrice Campbell: Clown
Meaghan Collins: Autolycus
Shane Dickie: Archidamus/Mopsa
Nicole Cormier: Shepherd 2/Cleomenes
Kiersten Gouchie: Shepherd 3
Crew:
Director/Producer: Paul Power
Assistant Director: Mark McPhee
Stage Managers: Samantha Vaillancourt, Nicole Cormier
Production Assistant: Emma Goobie
Costume Design: Sima Roohani Shahrestani
Music Director: Christina Farnsworth
Set Construction: Scott Fillmore
Marketing: Jeanne Cormier, Wes Perry
Financial Management: Pierre Mazerolle
Poster Design: Newhook Design
Special Thanks to the City of Moncton for its financial support
Special thanks to C103, The Moncton Wildcats and Dawn Arnold (City of Moncton)