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Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan looks to stage the future for city, province

Jun 12, 2019 | 5:57 PM

For over three decades, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan has wowed audiences with contemporary takes on classical makes.

They will continue to do so in their 35th season, but the organization has undertaken an endeavour to further enrich their jewel along the riverbank with the Staging the Future Capital Campaign.

The $4 million project will see the unique site transition from a temporary annual pop-up to a unique venue bearing permanent landscaping and purpose-built structures, all alongside a permanent concrete amphitheatre.

The redesign will eliminate the organization’s annual, lengthy and expensive five-week set-up, granting it more time and money to pour into artistic production and broadening opportunities for Saskatchewan artists.

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For years, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan has engaged in talks with the City of Saskatoon, the Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA) and various other art, sport and cultural groups to create a space suited for not just Shakespeare, but the entire city and province of Saskatchewan.

“We really wanted, as part of this project, to make sure we were listening to all of the stakeholders and listening to the other organizations in the city and working with everybody who loves that space and try to create something that other people can use as well,” Artistic Producer Will Brooks said.

Organizations like the Road Runners and other athletic groups are intrigued at the possibilities that will be available. The Saskatoon Tribal Council has even eyed the space for cultural activities like ceremonial gatherings, sweats or powwows.

“The whole purpose is to really just open up what we at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan have always known as one of the best little spots on the river bank and it is something that we are always fortunate to use and we want to share that with everybody,” Brooks said. “It will create a massive difference for our operations and create a wonderful space for Saskatchewan.”

No longer will the gates shut in the fall, blocking off the area. Instead, the site will be open to the public and enjoyable year round. The Meewasin Trail will be rerouted through the site, greatly increasing the site’s four-season accessibility and overall enjoyment.

Despite the introduction of a core amphitheatre, the staple of the production – a tent – will still go up each summer.

“Performing Shakespeare in a tent on the riverbank is a core part of why everybody loves the organization,” Brooks added. “We want something that is semi-outdoors and on the river and connected to the water and all those things.”

The change, Brooks said, will be a massive shift in direction for the organization, but one with no drawbacks and will only enhance what Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan can offer patrons.

COMEDIC CELEBRATION ON TAP

Inline with Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan’s mantra of shaking things up, and to celebrate the last year at the site in its current state, the organization is opting to perform two of The Bard’s comedies this season.

As You Like It, directed by Anita Smith, promises to be a bold, beautiful, visually stunning presentation like none other taken on by the organization in some time, according to Brooks.

The play follows Rosalind and her cousin Celia, as Rosalind flees persecution in her uncle’s court. They eventually find love in the Forest of Arden. There, they encounter an array of memorable characters.

The set and much of the costumes will draw inspiration from Alice In Wonderland. Brooks said this helps introduce a big, magical space, sprinkled with quirky and off-kilter happenings, while larger than life characters float about – a great fit for the elegant romantic comedy.

The show is naturally paired with quite a bit of music, which, created by Ben Redant, will be played live all summer long.

“It will have a flavour that people won’t have seen before,” Brooks said.

Equally as unique will be The Comedy of Errors, one of Shakespeare’s shorter but also one of his most broad and hilarious works.

Often, comedy in Shakespearean terms is less about the laughs and more about everyone being married by the end. But the Comedy of Errors breaks this mould, embedded with a bounty of physical humour, slapstick, farcical, and occasionally ridiculous antics, accompanied by puns and wordplay.

“We often joke about the phrase jokes per minute, which is quite technical, but this show has a lot of laughs,” Brooks said.

The play will have audiences seeing double, as it follows the story of two sets of identical twins who were accidentally separated at birth.

It has been adapted to take place in southern Florida, bringing a campy feel, but painted with archetypal, stock characters one would expect to see in the depths of The Sunshine State.

Brooks said director Joshua Beaudry’s take leaves some strapped for words to define, but once they see it, they get it.

Characters draw inspiration from those in Duck Dynasty, and the Duke of Ephesus is loosely based on President Donald Trump, such as by donning a Make Ephesus Great Again hat, emblematic of the red MAGA icon now littered across the globe.

While poking fun at our American neighbours and bringing Saturday Night Live-styled satire, the show is not political, opting for friendly, gentle Canadian fun poking at our southern cohorts.

Productions run from July 4 to August 18, with tickets on sale now. They can be bought from Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan’s box office to experience riveting and inventive theatre on the shores of the South Saskatchewan.

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