Taking the Bard to the stars
West Kildonan Collegiate presents Romeo and Juliet...In a Galaxy Far Far Away
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This article was published 30/01/2019 (2431 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The West Kildonan drama students are bringing a new view to one of the most famous tragic romance stories.
In Romeo and Juliet…In A Galaxy Far Far Away William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet will live their dramatic love story in a Star Wars-inspired world, on the planet of Verona.
Drama teacher and director Tanya Henry has always wanted to direct a Shakespearean play and started looking at different shows.
Inspired by the new Star Wars fans, Henry took the backdrop of the galactic world, the empire, and the rebellion to recreate a classic romance. She said she wasn’t trying to force two stories together, so you won’t see Princess Leah, Han Solo, or Chewbacca taking part in the play.
“I wasn’t tied to already developed characters. I was tied to the themes of Star Wars,” she continued. “When I was adapting I noticed a lot of what Friar Lawrence says in his monologue at the beginning. He talks a lot about the balance between things found in nature being good and evil depending on the dose and how it’s consumed, and I really found that to be quite similar to the idea of the Force and the balance of the good and evil.”
Henry said there was a mix of excitement when she broke the news about the play. Some students were thrilled because of the Star Wars setting and others because of the Romeo and Juliet play, although they had many questions later.
“It really did bring a lot of students to audition for the show who I don’t think normally would have,” she said. “This is such a unique experience.”
It proved to be an excellent opportunity to involve many students in the show. There are approximately 40 students in the cast and crew for the show as well as Grade 10 electronic students who built the lightsabers and special light features. Tickets, logos, and posters were designed by Grade 11 and 12 graphics classes.
“It’s really challenging to find plays that bring in a lot of students. It’s pretty limiting. Your choices become quite difficult,” she said, adding all cast members have a lot of stage time.
The students are learning to fight with lightsabers and staffs with the help of fight choreographer Lauren Marshall.
Emma Walc, 17, who is playing Juliet is looking forward to showing that in the planet of Verona, her character is not a damsel in distress.
“I fight with a droid, I fight with Romeo and with Friar Lawrence,” she said. “I think this is something people are not expecting and I’m very excited.”
In addition to being a distinctive play, it will be the first time the West Kildonan Collegiate will be presenting a show at the brand-new Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre and students said they are looking forward to the opportunity.
“I’m so stoked,” Braden Garden, 17, who is playing Romeo said. “The space is incredible, and I’m very proud that it’s ours.”
Because of the equipment available to them, the crew was able to include special effects that they’ve never done before. The location is also convenient because it’s in the heart of the Seven Oaks area and they don’t have to travel downtown to the Gas Station Arts Centre where they held their previous plays.
Romeo and Juliet…In A Galaxy Far Far Away will take place at SOPAC (711 Jefferson Ave.) on Feb. 12 to 14. Tickets are $5 and can be bought at the school or at the door.