The last few rehearsals are underway before Shakespeare in Love: The Play opens at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts on Wednesday. (Image Credit: Odyssey Productions/Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

Labour of love hits the stage

Shakespeare in Love brings big spectacle to Prince Albert

Feb 9, 2026 | 2:20 PM

Prince Albert theatre lovers are in for a romantic, fast-paced treat as Shakespeare in Love: The Play takes over the E.A. Rawlinson Centre this week, boasting a massive cast, an ambitious moving set and a strong dose of local collaboration.

The production is a joint effort by Little Birdie Productions and Odyssey Productions Inc., bringing together artists from across the city’s theatre community. Adreanna Gareau, who is a co-director with Kim Morrall, said the show represents months of work by a wide range of performers and creatives.

“This show is really a culmination of a lot of hard work from almost every theatre group in the city,” Gareau said. “We’ve got people who’ve worked with Broadway North, Off the Cuff Improv, audio producers, choreographers, music directors, a fight choreographer, a costume designer — just an amazing team. Having all these people come together has created quite a spectacle. It’s going to be beautiful to watch and so exciting and so much fun.”

Based closely on the Oscar-winning 1998 film, the stage adaptation follows struggling young playwright William Shakespeare as he falls for Viola de Lesseps, a woman forced to disguise herself as a man in order to pursue her dream of acting in a time when women were banned from the stage.

Blaire Henry takes on the dual role of Viola de Lesseps and her male alter ego, Thomas Kent, while Dave Lokinger stars as William Shakespeare.

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“It’s the same storyline and very close to the movie,” Gareau said. “But you get that palpable energy of live theatre — it’s all happening right there in the same room with you.”

The production features a cast of 28 local actors — and one dog — with performers ranging from newcomers to seasoned veterans. Several actors play multiple roles, adding layers of comedy and character work throughout the show.

“That’s part of what makes it such a rich, layers experience,” said Gareau. “These character roles let actors really have fun, sometimes being outrageous or over the top. Watching them grow through the process has been awesome.”

Among the cast is Elliot Byers, who moved to Prince Albert about three-and-a-half years ago and quickly became immersed in the local arts scene after backgrounds in stand-up comedy and improv in Vancouver. In Shakespeare in Love, Byers plays Hugh Fennyman, a rough-edged moneylender and theatre investor.

“He’s kind of a loan shark, brothel and pub owner,” Byers said. “I start out just trying to collect money, and suddenly I’m swept into the world of theatre. Everything is new for him, and he’s learning as he goes, which is a lot of fun to play.”

Byers says audiences can expect a bit of everything.

“It’s got comedy, romance, sword fighting. There’s so much going on,” he said. “It really is good for everyone. The costumes are also so well done. I love it. I’ve never looked that fancy in my life.”

The wardrobe team is putting the final touches on the 58 different costumes featured in the show.

Another one of the show’s standout features is its large, custom-built set, designed by Cara Stelmaschuk and constructed by title sponsor Penta Construction and Restoration Services.

“It’s honestly unbelievable,” Byers said. “It’s 18-feet tall by 32-feet wide, with moving and rotating parts. I’ve never seen a set like this in the Rawlinson. The paint job on it is amazing. It’s almost worth coming just to see the set.”

The play features an elaborate set, pictured here in its construction phase, designed by Cara Stelmaschuk. (Image Credit: Odyssey Productions/Facebook)

Beyond the spectacle, the production also gives back to the community. For every ticket sold, the Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation will donate $10 to the Ronald McDonald House, supporting families in need.

Gareau noted the show makes for a perfect Valentine’s outing, with evening performances and a Saturday matinee option for those who prefer daytime shows.

“We’ve had incredible support from the community and sponsors to make a huge play like this happen,” she said.

Shakespeare in Love runs for five performances starting Wednesday, Feb. 11. There will be four evening shows and a Saturday matinee at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre. Tickets are available through the Rawlinson Centre Box Office at 306-765-1270 or online at www.earc.ca.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com