UNews - Jim Wills

The Country Wife is naughty and satirically flamboyant

trevor.kenney — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:01:25 +0000

A titillating and rollicking sex comedy, The Country Wife was considered too naughty for 18th and 19th century audiences. However, 21st century theatre goers can enjoy this production on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage from March 18 to 22 at 8 p.m. nightly.

The Country Wife was considered too naughty back in its day. You be the judge.

This 300-year-old classic, written by William Wycherley, has continued to entertain audiences since it was first produced in 1675, however, not without controversy. Filled with wildly entertaining innuendo and clever plot twists, this Restoration play transports audiences back to a satirically flamboyant era!

Harry Horner spreads an explicit rumour of his unfortunate impotence throughout the town. His strategy is perfectly risqué - to trick the townsfolk into allowing him to fraternize with the local women. While chasing his sexual exploits he encounters the lusty Margery Pinchwife, a country girl betrothed to the unassuming and naïve Mr. Pinchwife. Their ridiculous relationship and crass calamity keeps audiences enraptured from beginning to end!

“Our production connects the audience with the characters on stage – an approximation of theatre as it was done when this play was first written. Theatre was lively, with conversations and interaction between audience and actors. Our version works to accomplish that,” says Ron Chambers, director. From traditional-style bench seating to ‘orange wenches’ sashaying through the audience selling their wares, this up-close and personal experience is not to be missed.

The sumptuous set, designed by Jim Wills, and beautiful costumes, designed by Leslie Robison-Greene, transport audiences to an extravagant 17th century. Over 900 hours have gone into the construction of the highly detailed costumes alone.

“The actors have studied how people of that era wore and used their clothing, their postures and movements. The audience will be able to see the incredible detail that was put into constructing these costumes since they will be seated close to the actors as well,” says Chambers

Tickets for The Country Wife are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office, or by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are priced at $18 regular, $15 senior, $12 students and are also available for purchase online: uleth.ca/tickets.

Family dysfunction hits a whole new level

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:00:22 +0000

A chill is in the air!

King Henry II and his family congregate for an even chillier Christmas celebration in James Goldman's The Lion in Winter, playing Nov. 20-24, 8 p.m. nightly on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage.

Set in the stark hollows of Castle Chinon in 1183, the dramatic tensions between members of King Henry II's family take centre stage in this historic play. The company includes Henry's quarreling and conniving sons, intent to claim the throne; his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, allowed a reprieve from her 10-year imprisonment to join the festivities; and Henry's young mistress, Alias, who is also betrothed to his son Richard.

As the party commences, the scandals of this dysfunctional dynasty explode, revealing shocking truths of betrayal, deceit and treachery.

And you thought your family had interesting Christmas get-togethers.

"This is a very complex script that explores the dynamics and dysfunction of families throughout history," says guest director Philip Adams. "It's about power and land and the successors to that land. We, the audience, can marvel at the dexterity of the noble family."

"Despite the lies and treachery of this dysfunctional family, there is still humour," Adams adds. "Families are funny and this script exposes that humour in very clever ways."

With a grand set, designed by Jim Wills, and period costumes designed by Leslie Robison-Greene, the production transports audiences to a medieval era of stone, wood, leather and furs.

"The production is very well crafted, and it's been a pleasure to be a part of this collaborative project," says Adams, who won Saskatoon's Best Director Award in 2012.

A bit of a nomad, he has served as the artistic director of Nakai Theatre in the Yukon and Mulgrave Road Theatre in Nova Scotia, and also directed productions across the country.

Tickets for The Lion in Winter are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616), Monday through Friday 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $15 regular, $10 seniors/students. Regular tickets are also available online, www.uleth.ca/tickets.

This story first appeared in the November 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the full issue online, follow this link.

Hair promises a multi-sensory experience

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:09:29 +0000

Step back into the 1960s! The music, the passion, the era comes to life, Feb. 9-13 when Hair, a cultural phenomenon that defined a generation, appears in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre.

This colourful rock musical is presented nightly at 8 p.m. on Feb. 9-11 and 13. On Feb. 12 there are performances at 7 p.m. and midnight.

Set in New York City, a tribe of longhaired hippies celebrates their pacifist bohemian lifestyle, vehemently condemning the Vietnam War and embracing the sexual revolution. Through dance and song, Hair exposes the fervor of a contentious era.

"Although this musical is 40-years-old, its themes are still relevant," says choreographer Lisa Doolittle. "Recently revived on Broadway, Hair has a reputation for being controversial, but remains significant today with our consciousness of war and ecological awareness. Hair is about protest and about youth taking over the world. The main plot is about war – for a musical, the theme is sobering, but sends a message of optimism."

The production includes more than 50 musical numbers, each choreographed by Doolittle and directed by drama faculty colleague, Gail Hanrahan.

"The music ranges from doo-wop, to mop-top British rock and psychedelic rock. The choreography has been so much fun to research – to incorporate the different dance styles," says Doolittle.

Music Director Bente Hansen conducts the live 14-piece rock band complete with horns, guitars and keyboards.

"Hair is truly a multi-sensory extravaganza, from the hippie-style sets designed by Jim Wills, to the incredible costumes, designed by Leslie Robison-Greene," says Doolittle. "Based on the way the roof comes off the studio during rehearsals, this show will be high energy and unforgettable."

Hair contains mature content and themes.

Tickets for Hair are available for $15 regular and $10 student/senior at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616).

Long service awards and honoured retirees

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:27:38 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ recently honoured 83 employees at the annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony.

Employees who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, as well as 18 retiring employees were all honoured at the ceremony.
Following is a list of those employees.

Retirees
Lynn Arnold, Judith Droessler, Eileen Ferguson, Peter Haney, Marilyn Hawryluk, Helen Henderson, Beatriz Housley, Luke Kwong, Ian McKenna, Linda Nicol, Ron Perverseff, Terry Prociuk, Lorraine Schimpf, Hiroshi Shimazaki, Helen Smith, Sara Stanley, Johnel Tailfeathers, Marie Yolland

Long Service Recipients

40 Years | Michael Kubara and Frank VandenHeuvel

35 Years | Lynne Brown, Gary Cunningham, Rose Helmer and Barbara Wolstoncroft

30 Years | Doris Kostiuk and Wendy Vogel

25 Years | Doran Anderson, Deb Bullock, Hank DeRidder, John Federkeil, Carol Gaetz, Ken Nicol, Stewart Rood, Linda Sebastian, Penny Secretan, Jerzy Szpakowski and Guy Vervoort

20 Years | John Bain, Allan Besplug, Craig Bullock, Cynthia Chambers, Helena Danyk, Lisa Doolittle, Marty Gadd, Andrew Hakin, David Kaminski, Luke Kwong, Judy Lavorato, Ian MacLachlan, Edward Malinsky, Duane Rockerbie, Gloria Samuels, Michael Stingl, Carrie Takeyasu, Pat Tanaka, Barb Thomsen, Gitte Villiger, Kathleen Willms, Shelly Wismath and Sajjad Zahir

15 Years | Jim Booth, Teresa Heyburn, Joan Kendall, Rob Kern, Richard Lutwick, Ron Schreiber, Terri Thomas, Nicholas Wade and Judith Whitehead

10 Years | Andrea Amelinckx, John Bronk, Adam Carter, Yllias Chali, Margaret Cook, Robert Cooney, Dennis Fitzpatrick, Fred Greene, Shauna Haag, Geoffrey Hale, Susan Hill, Shahadat Hossain, Charlene Janes, Harold Jansen, Randy Joseph, Edward Jurkowski, Catherine Kingfisher, Laurie Martin, Cathy Newman, Margot O'Donnell, Steve Patitsas, Michele Roberts, Chris Robinson, Debi Sandul, Stephane Simard, A. William Smith, Mike Spiteri, Stuart Thomas, Dawn-Ann Thys, Edwin Wasiak, Cheryl Wheeler and Jim Wills

UNews - Jim Wills

The Country Wife is naughty and satirically flamboyant

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Family dysfunction hits a whole new level

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Hair promises a multi-sensory experience

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Long service awards and honoured retirees

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