Fairies and sprites, along with some sea shanty singing swashbuckling pirates will be hitting the outdoor stage in Emerald Pig's latest Bard on the Bandstand.
"The Tempest" by William Shakespeare will mark the local theatre company's 20th Bard on the Bandstand production.
It is a comedy, with an interesting mix of romance, drama, tragedy, and betrayal, described first-time director Hayley Lavik.
The story follows a sudden tempest that shipwrecks the mighty ship Naples and strands the crew on an isolated desert island, inhabited only by spirits, castaways, and a maligned islander, explained Simon Challenger, the show's producer and assistant director.
But things are not as they seem, as the sorcerer Prospero, who has been marooned on the island with her infant daughter for 12 long years, weaves her magic to exact revenge on those who mutinied against her. In doing so, she reveals to her daughter a hidden past of power and betrayal.
And, as each character journeys around the island they search for survival, advantage, connection, and solace from their torments, said Challenger.
Lavik, noted the play is Shakespeare's last play, and is one of her personal favourites.
"We have a very talented cast, really excellent singers that are all bringing just incredible performances to the shanties, to the music, to the dancing that they are doing, it's just beautiful and we have a lovely sword fight in the middle of it," she said.
Talia Wollf, who plays Miranda, and Eric Acland as Ferdinand, have worked dilligently on the sword fight choreography, noted Lavik, and they dedicated themselves to five rehearsals focused on getting it right.
"To make sure that everything is safe and controlled, but then also safe to bring it up to speed and make it really convincing," she said.
What Lavik enjoyed the most about working on this production is the collaboration between the whole team.
"They have all just been so good at bringing their advice, their expertise, their experience to it," she said, "so I can work with all that and bring it all together."
Dominic Renaud, who plays the roles of both Adrian and Boatswain, agreed with that, saying the production has been so well organized, they have been able to go beyond memorizing lines – making sure the artistic choices and acting choices are as experimental as can be.
Local actor Leanne Koehn who is acting in the lead role of Prospero, is back with Bard and the Bandstand with her family after a break of nine years.
The family started acting in shows when her children were five and six years old, their last show being "Midsummer Night's Dream" in 2016.
"I am excited to be back on stage again in such an iconic role," Koehn said, noting that Emerald Pig has been a strong force in the community for many years.
"Inspiring audiences and supporting performers of all ages and experience levels," she added.
“The Tempest takes place July 10-12 at Pitt Meadows Spirit Square and July 17-19 at the Maple Ridge Bandstand in Memorial Peace Park. Admission is free but a donation to the Friends In Need Food Bank would be appreciated.
Just bring the family, a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
Pre-show entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m..
For more information go to: www.emeraldpig.ca.
