Malaspina Theatre department's fall show opens November 1

Join modern-day character Constance Ledbelly in a hysterical, topsy-turvy adventure through Shakespeare’s universe in the Malaspina University-College theatre department’s fall production of Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) November 1 to 10.

Canadian playwright Ann-Marie MacDonald, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Drama, weaves an irresistible tale that centres on Constance Ledbelly, an academic at Queen’s University who is working on her doctoral thesis.  A serious emotional blow sends Constance into the worlds of Othello and Romeo and Juliet, where she rewrites the two masterpieces in a bid to solve her own life problems.

“Constance finds herself mixed up in the raucous changing of plots and identities as she meets Shakespeare’s unexpected characters from these plays,” explains Leon Potter, directing his first main stage production for the Malaspina Theatre department.

Potter says he choose this play “because it’s hysterically funny and well written. The more we get into rehearsals, the more we’re discovering about the depth of the play and its characters."

Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) builds upon the conventions of mistaken identities and intrigue used in Shakespeare’s legendary plays, bringing forth an “engaging theatrical experience,” Potter says. Adding to the already entertaining story, Malaspina Theatre incorporates surprising elements including actors that fly and actors on stilts, as well as unforeseen sword fighting scenes.

Complementing the engaging scenes is an incredible set, which  evokes the original Globe Theatre. Set design is aptly handled by Malaspina’s professor and Chair/Manager of the Theatre Department, Mike Taugher in combination with current Malaspina Theatre student Lisa Vezina.

Lighting design is created by Malaspina Theatre’s newest  Technical  Director and faculty member Tim Herron, and sound design is by Robin Boxwell. The colorful and imaginative semi-period costumes have been designed and brought to life by past Malaspina Theatre students, Melissa Paulger and Michelle Kuzzidla-Spoor.   

Currently all designers and students enrolled in Malaspina’s Theatre program are hard at work to ensure the success of Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet).  

Mark your calendar and don’t miss this broadly appealing and hilarious voyage of Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet). Opening night is November 1, with evening shows continuing on Nov. 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 at 8 pm in the Malaspina University-College Theatre, Building 310, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo. Matinees run November 5, 7, & 8 at 12 noon. The theatre is wheelchair accessible.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students/seniors, and $8 per person for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call the Malaspina Theatre Box office at 740-6100.