Set in the Regency period in Britain, the tragic feud between the Capulets and the Montagues will spring to life at Emerald Pig Theatrical Society’s Bard on the Bandstand production of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
The tender love story is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and director Simon Challenger believes it resonates with audiences because the story shows people how forces not of our making and beyond our control can adversely affect our lives.
“There’s an obvious parallel with what is happening in the world around us today. We have to deal with the consequences of events around the globe caused by people and countries engaging in wars and conflicts fought for self interest without thought as to how their actions affect others,” explained Challenger.
“The long standing feud between the Capulets and the Montagues drives the story to it’s deadly conclusion even though we’re never told why it began in the first place,” he said.
The theme of the production was inspired by the popular “Bridgerton” television series, noted Challenger, and those who are aficionados of the ‘fan language’ used in TV series can expect to see some of it on stage.
Costumes will include dresses and clothing from the early 1800’s created by costume designer Charlene Rowley.
Rowley has even created specific looks and colours for each of the feuding families.
Dance choreographer, Julia Chayka, will be bringing to life a magnificent masquerade ball, said Challenger, where Romeo and Juliet will meet and fall in love.
“And a closing dance number that will keep your toes tapping,” he said.
Actors have also been working hard through extra rehearsals for their sword fighting scenes, which fight choreographer F. Braun McAsh promises will have the audience at the edge of their seats.
The production will feature an all-star cast mostly made up of actors from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, including the well-known Koehn-Rowley family, who have been involved with Bard on the Bandstand for many years.
Nik Koehn will be playing the role of Romeo, James Rowley is Lord Capulet, Leanne Koehn is the Chorus, and Felix Rowley will be playing Sampson/Page.
Vancouver resident, Louisa Capulet, will be playing the role of Juliet, whom she coincidentally shares the same last name with.
“When we held the auditions and I was able to see Louisa and Nik together, I knew right away that I had found my Romeo and Juliet,” said Challenger.
The production also features Maple Ridge residents Maria Jelavic-Carter as the Nurse, Jeffrey Love as Friar Laurence, Clair Aitchison as Balthasar/Abraham, Haley Lavik as Benvolio, Kirby Lavik as the County Paris, F. Braun McAsh as the Prince, Dawn Marion Lutz as Peter, Kai Paquette as 2nd. Servant, Tyson Aubin as Bertram, Michelle Flintermann as 2nd Citizen of the Watch, Dylana Connaughton as 3rd Citizen of the Watch.
Pitt Meadows residents in the cast are, Henry Bartak as Lord Montague, Domenic Renaud as the 1st Servant.
Behind the scenes, crew members include sound designer, June Ainsworth; set designer, Jeffry Love; stage manager, Carole Dagenais; and props manager, Anita Kitkowski.
Performances of “Romeo and Juliet” will take place Thursday, July 16, Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, at Spirit Square in Pitt Meadows.
Then the troupe will move to Maple Ridge for performances on Thursday, July 23, Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, on the Bandstand in Memorial Peace Park.
Pre-show entertainment will feature local musicians and performers beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the performances will begin at 7 p.m.
Performances are free to anyone who wants to come out and watch the show, made possible in large part by support from the City of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows.
Donations to the Friends in Need Food Bank will be welcomed.
To help offset the cost of producing Bard on the Bandstand, the society will be holding a raffle for a grand prize basket full of items donated by local Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows businesses, worth over $2,800.
There are only 3,000 tickets available for the draw.
Tickets are $2 each or three tickets for $5.
“You can buy as many as you want,” Challenger said.
Tickets will be available for sale at all performances and at the Haney Farmers Market in Maple Ridge every Saturday until the final show.
The draw for the winning ticket will be held at intermission at the final performance on Saturday, July 25, in Maple Ridge.