July 22-24, 28-30 7PM

Come Join us in Centennial Park. For directions and ticket information please visit our Eventbrite.

Programme

Acknowledgment

Our works are produced on the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq Peoples. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

A Tasty Wee Bit of Community Amusement

To me there are few things in life as delicious as a good joke. I love the way tasteful humour excites my mouth to open laughter. Much like any yummy morsel the only way to enjoy the experience is with others. The Merry Wives of Windsor by Shakespeare is for me that type of scrumptious snack. I think we can all agree that what we would really like a refreshing laugh, together.

The town of Windsor has been a little bored, but the opportunity to play a good prank on an opportunist named Falstaff is just too tantalizing. Falstaff is sure he can entice all the women in town to pay for his drink, so sure he composes a send to all text full of poetry (and himself). The wives want revenge! Soon they have pulled their spouses, the bartender, the parson, the doctor and even the kid who cuts the grass into their elaborate plans. One prank is never enough to satisfy, especially these over the top personalities, so by the end of the play they have pulled off three escapades.

Come join Hubcity Theatre in Centennial Park this July and be in on the shenanigans. Cheer on the wives, root for your favourite bachelor to win the hand of the beautiful Anne Page, and enjoy the outdoors while consuming this present day version of the Shakespearean classic The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Director’s Message

While I was considering scripts for this years Shakespeare in the Park with Hubcity. I was hungry. Hungry to get back to theatre, hungry to have community gather. I was trying to imagine what the Moncton audience would be hungry for. The first time I work with a company and community I am always curious what the local flavour will be. The one place I have learned to start when cooking up a show is good stock. So I looked for a Shakespearean show that had good stock characters any audience could relate to.

The Merry Wives of Windsor has fun characters that resemble the people of any community I have ever lived in. This ensemble show full of stereotypical characters fit the structure of a Commedia dell Arte experience. Leaving only the challenge of trying to make a structured Shakespearean script blend into an improvised style of theatre. A challenge this cast has taken on with gusto, seasoning the experience with local jokes, some French and their own takes on these roles.

Placed in the picnic area of the park, the show has become an outdoor feast. I am so full and grateful for a company and a community that has contributed to making this show the full flavour experience that has excited me to laugh once again.

-Jo Dixon

Cast

(in order of appearance)

Host ………………………..……. Hillary Bushell

Sir John Falstaff …………..……..JB Vanier

Pistol ………………………..…….Rija Rabearivelo

Nym ………………………………Sandratana Rasolonjatovo

Robin ……………………………..Emma Chapman

Master Ford ………………….…..John MacKenzie

Mistress Ford …………………… Kelly Tynan

Madame Page ………………..…Jill Quiring

Mistress Page………………….…Amanda Spear

Mistress Ann Page ………………Suzanne LaPointe

Mistress Ann Page (understudy)..Sarina Jones

Fenton……………………………Parham Mortazavi

Shallow ………………………….Georgia Ross

Slender ………………………….Malcolm Denby

Simple……………………………Rory Smith

Sir Hugh Evans……………...…..Mark McPhee

Doctor Caius…………….………Myles Botten

Mistress Quickly ……………...…Mika Driedger

John Rugby……………..……….Rowan Babstock

Crew

Jo Dixon - Director

Bryna Dickson Roper - Assistant Director

Darren Blois - Producer

Julie Sutherland - Dramaturge

Gisèle Clements- Stage Manager

Rowan Babstock

Darren Blois

Myles Botten

Hillary Bushell

Emma Chapman

Gisele Clements

Malcolm Denby

Bryna Dickson Roper

Jo Dixon

Mika Driedger

Sarina Jones

Suzanne LaPointe

John MacKenzie

Mark McPhee

Parham Mortazavi

Jill Quiring

Sandratana Rasolonjatovo

Rija Rabearivelo

Georgia Ross

Rory Smith

Amanda Spear

Julie Sutherland

Kelly Tynan

JB Vanier

Bios

ROWAN BABSTOCK (He/Him)

Rowan has acted for a few years, starting at the young age of 7. He began with small acting bits at the School of Atlantic Ballet, and joined their musical theatre program when he was 8. Some of his notable roles include Tiny Tim and young Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, a scheming henchman eel in The Little Mermaid and a few different parts in the new production Matilda, such as Rudolpho the salsa dancer. He’s never really done anything outside of his musical theatre program, so he’s very excited to be working on The Merry Wives of Windsor as Rugby in his first Hubcity production!

MYLES BOTTEN (He/Him)

HILLARY BUSHELL (She/Her)

Hilary has been active in the theatre community since she was young. Trained in Clown and having graduated from the theatre program at Bishop’s University, she followed her love of theatre to the East Coast where she performed everything from farces and Shakespeare to Halloween horrors and dramatic reproductions. Since her time on the East Coast Hillary has been touring the globe bringing her love of theatre to audiences young and old, teaching the art and craft of theatre to children. You can currently find her in Moncton belting Shakespearean sonnets to whoever will listen.

EMMA CHAPMAN (She/Her)

Emma has been performing with the School of Atlantic Ballet in their musical theatre productions since 2017 and has played The Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present (Christmas Carol), Alana (Little Mermaid), Miss Honey (Matilda the Musical) and has had many ensemble parts. She has also performed with the students and facility of Mount Allison University in their production of "Fun Home" in 2021. When she isn't acting, she is an accomplished artist/painter and enjoys playing piano and ukulele. Emma is very excited to be joining the cast of The Merry Wives of Windsor in her first Hubcity Theatre production.

MALCOLM DENBY (He/Him)

Malcolm is currently a student at the Capitol Theatre Academy. Previously, he was a student at Act One Drama School in Ajax, Ontario, for almost 7 years. He specializes in theatre and improv. Malcolm's favourite role so far was portraying Twit in MMMBETH. Malcolm's special love is improv because it is 'just fun'. in 2019, Malcolm won a silver medal for his role as Duke Flyswatter in An Unexpected Visitor (Star War's parody) in a Newmarket, ON acting competition. Malcolm's long term goal is to play Spider-man in a future generation of the Marvel Multiverse. Malcolm would like to thank all the teachers he has had for sharing their knowledge, experience, and guidance.

JO DIXON (She/Her)

Involved with theatre for a lifetime, Jo recently moved to the Moncton area and is thrilled to working with Hubcity for the first time. Jo went to the University of Winnipeg for Theatre Production and has worked at theatres all across Canada. The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Saints Alive Halifax, Powerhouse Theatre to name a few. She was head of Theatre at InterAction School of Performing Arts and ran Stumble Upon a Story Productions. Jo would like to thank the actors who give so much of themselves to the process, her supportive husband Paul, their four children and the people who have encouraged her to choose laughter whenever possible and impossible.

SARINA JONES (She/Her)

Sarina is happy and a little nervous to be playing the part of Ann Page, but is very grateful for the opportunity! Sarina has previously co-starred in a school singing performance of "Say My Name - Beetlejuice." When not acting, she enjoys playing video games, and learning the bass guitar. Sarina loves music and theater, so while this may be their first acting role in a community production, it definitely won't be her last! She would like to thank Jo and her Mom for being so supportive, and the rest of the cast for being so kind!

SUZANNE LAPOINTE She/Her)

Suzanne's lifelong love of performing arts began at a young age as a member of the award -winning Les Jeunes Chanteurs d'Acadie choir, and an enthusiastic volunteer for every school play. She has worked professionally as an actress both in French and English in various short films, as well as local musical theatre productions with the Hazy Grape Theatre Collective and the Capitol Theatre. During the holidays, you can spot her singing with the East Coast Carolling Company. She has previously worked with Hubcity Theatre in Circle Mirror Transformation and Richard III.

MARK MCPHEE (He/Him)

RIJA RABEARIVELO (He/Him)

Trained by one of the Malagasy theatre’s pillars, the famous director Henri Randrianierenana, Rija was able to professionalize his skills in dramatic art following his certification in 2019 which allowed him to play some representative roles on stage and some figurations in a couple of films. He reflects his creativity in his amateur video editing, his TikTok creation, his passion for cooking not to mention his love for saxophone. As a nursing student, his altruism and communication aptitude are enhanced by his volunteering for vaccination clinics and his capacity to speak several languages such as English, French or Spanish: all this to get ready to serve his community!

JULIE SUTHERLAND (She/Her)

Originally from British Columbia, Julie Sutherland recently moved to Moncton and is excited to contribute to her new community as a Hubcity Theatre board member. She has a long history of leading sessions on Shakespeare, poetry and other literature in educational and non-educational settings in Canada, the US, the UK and online. Julie has also worked in theatre production and administration and even managed to play Titania, Queen of the Faeries, in a semi-professional production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

KELLY TYNAN (She/Her)

Kelly is having a ridiculous amount of fun portraying feisty Mistress Ford in her fourth Shakespeare in the Park. Her previous credits include Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps with Roundhouse Productions, as well as Hubcity Theatre productions of Almost, Maine, As You Like It, The Laramie Project, Richard III, and Twelfth Night. Kelly originally stumbled into acting after taking part in productions with the School of Atlantic Ballet alongside her son—who, in a full-circle moment, is now joining her onstage in his Hubcity debut as Rugby.

JILL QUIRING (She/Her)

The Merry Wives of Windsor will mark Jill's ninth show with Hubcity Theatre, and she's loving another opportunity to perform with friends, old and new, in this summer's Shakespeare in the Park. Jill's been involved in a variety of community and professional productions over the years and she's excited about the chance to bring another centuries-old character to life in her role as Madam Page. When she's not on stage to entertain audiences with her acting or singing, she tackles the roles of Mom, partner, and high school English teacher.