| Actors and audience members both begin their theatrical experience somewhere – from cross-legged semi-circles on the grass to the proscenium arch of a professional stage. For the actors of Drama 362: Theatre for Young Audiences, that experience begins with Wagonstage.
Founded in 1971 by local theatre icon Victor Mitchell (then the head of the University of Calgary’s drama department), this co-production between the University of Calgary and the City of Calgary has been placing university students in front of children in what is often a theatrical first for both performers and audience members. Past performers include a veritable who’s-who of Calgary talent, counting playwright Clem Martini, Monster Theatre’s comic brother duo of Jeff and Ryan Gladstone, and One Yellow Rabbit’s Michael Green as alumni.
On Saturday, Wagonstage celebrated its 35th anniversary at the U of C’s Reeve Theatre, bringing together past performers as well as premiering this year’s production – a remount of Green’s Sempleton Marvelous. Combined with archival images of past productions and speeches from past performers, directors and coordinators, the showcase was an effort not only to encourage past participants to contribute their own memories for a forthcoming publication, but to demonstrate the challenges of the program as well. From film demonstrating the considerable noise of lawnmowers in the background to an obtrusive newspaper photographer walking squarely into the centre of a running production, the show’s presentation exposed the pitfalls of the kind of real-world experience the program boasts for its actors.
Though Saturday’s event saw the prèmiere of this season’s production, Wagonstage’s 2006 run officially begins on July 1 at the city’s Canada Day festivities at Prince's Island Park, following a week of previews at Riley Park and several local schools. In addition to free Tuesday shows at Olympic Plaza, for $100, Wagonstage performers will attend daycamps, community associations and private corporate functions. Running six days a week and performing up to three times in any given day, Wagonstage’s city-provided, full of set pieces, props and costumes, often takes its performers on a merry circuit of the city.
Culled from current or past students of Drama 362, this year’s cast list includes Amanda Fox, Mike Tan, Kristen Eveleigh and Patrick Quinn – all capering in the bright pastel foam of costume designer Halina Supernat’s armour, dresses and swords. Questing through Green’s world of Sharealike – a satirical world whose Marie Antoinette-esque Queen Abbey (Eveleigh) takes cartoonish glee in oppressing her people – the production sees Princess Robin (Fox) trying to free her imprisoned father (Tan) with the help of the play’s titular hero, Sempleton Marvelous (Quinn).
Free public shows at Olympic Plaza take place on Tuesdays at noon, beginning July 4. Admission is free. Call (403) 268-5213 for detailed show information. |
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