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RELEASED: March 13, 2003
DANVILLE, KY—The traveling acting troupe Shenandoah Shakespeare Express will give a performance of William Shakespeare's The Tempest as part of its 2002-2003 Brave New World Tour. The free performance will be on March 17 at 8 p.m. in Weisiger Theatre on the Centre campus.
The event is co-sponsored by Centre's English and drama departments.
Praised by critics for "blowing the cobwebs out of Elizabethan drama," Shenandoah Shakespeare Express delights audiences at home and abroad with a fresh, energetic approach to Shakespeare. Shenandoah Shakespeare Express promises "shamelessly entertaining" productions.
By following the basic principles of Renaissance theatrical production, Shenandoah Shakespeare Express has always attempted to give its audiences some of the pleasures that an Elizabethan playgoer would have enjoyed. Among these are universal lighting, so that the actors can see and engage with their audience; doubling of actors, so that a small troupe can perform a play with many parts; and modern costumes with elements designed to distinguish character, rank, and role. Additionally, Shenandoah Shakespeare Express accompanies their performances with music and uses simple sets that sometimes employ boxes or set pieces to indicate location or provide a changing area and always rely on the audience's imagination to piece out any imperfections.
The troupe describes The Tempest, Shakespeare's final play, as "a moving fairy tale, an extended magic show, and a farewell to the stage that still defines our humanity." Shenandoah Shakespeare Express invites the audience to join the sprite Ariel, the fishy-smelling monster Caliban, and the beautiful Miranda on Prospero's enchanted island.
The troupe will also offer two workshops for DramaCentre students in Weisiger Theatre. The first, on Shakespeare, will be on March 18 at 11:20 a.m., and the second, on stage combat, will be on March 18 at 4:10 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend the workshops as an observer.
All Centre freshman Humanities students are studying the play in their classes this semester and will attend the performance.
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