Page 12 - 2018 Festival Edition
P. 12

“Their strange beautiful creations were deeply psychological in terms of relationships, so the play looks at the psychology of them, their characters, books and the world they were exploring. Along the way, I discovered what I could create, what liberties I could take to drive the stories in the way I chose while still honouring who they were.”
Realizing the project had also become a form of self-exploration, she said audiences – women and men – may be delighted to learn more about the three resourceful, ambitious Brontës who were artists and entrepreneurs at the same time, push- ing themselves to places women had not been to in their day.
“My director Vanessa Porteous, who also directed Christina the Girl King, is a longtime Brontë fan,” she said. “A remarkable lover of language, she has been incredibly helpful in helping craft this story.”
The interpretive work of designer Narda McCar-
BRONTË: A WORLD WITHOUT
roll, lighting designer Kimberly Purtell and sound designer Anton de Groot is simply beautiful.
“Rather than using just white modern women
for the roles, our multi-racial three-member cast (Beryl Bain, Jessica B. Hill and Andrea Rankin) has become a real collaborative presence in the process, also speaking without accents.
“My vocabulary is with actors who are open and display a huge part of themselves in their characters throughout the play. To complement the produc- tion’s contemporary feel we have used music by current female songwriters.”
When the lights dim and the company takes its final bows for the June 21 opening night, how would the playwright like to feel at the conclusion of that momentous premiere?
“I’d love to feel a sense of pride in the work, cast and production crew, the play’s accomplishments, its scope and the manner in which it has impacted
the audience,” she said. “Certainly it is a costume drama to some degree, traditionally appealing more to women, but there is so much more.
“So I feel there is a great deal to appreciate for the men in women’s lives whether they’re husbands, fa- thers or just friends. I will be curious to see how the insights, drama, laughter and heart impact every- one. Let’s also remember, this is a bicentennial of Emily Bronte’s birth in 1818, so yet another reason to celebrate the works of these wonderful writers.”
My vocabulary is with actors who are open and display a huge part of themselves in their characters throughout the play
Road  ip!
Come to the Cowbell Farm in Blyth, Ontario
“THE NO.1 CRAFT BREWERY IN CANADA TO VISIT.”
—WAYNE NEWTON, BREWS NEWS & LONDON FREE PRESS JOURNALIST
40035 BLYTH ROAD, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0 1-844-523-4724 WWW.COWBELLBREWING.COM
TWO STRATFORD LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
52 Market Place Stratford • 519.271.1515 78 Ontario Street Stratford • 519.273.9377 www.coracouture.com
EnnisSistersandShanneyganock July 26
BlindBoysofAlabama July30
Angela Hewitt Aug 11-12
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra August 6-7
Mzansi Youth Choir Aug22&24
519.271.2101 / 1.866.288.4313 stratfordsummermusic.ca
SEASON SPONSOR
Tanya
Tagaq Aug 13
Bruce Dow July 20
Ron Sexsmith Aug 20
PAGE 12
THE BEACON HERALD | 2018 FESTIVAL EDITION


































































































   10   11   12   13   14