Canmore Collegiate High School Grade 10 to 12 thespians swing into action over the next week as students offer up a pair of free offerings for teens and adults.
Tonight (June 4), drama students will stage Game of Tiaras, by playwright Michael McKeever, at 6:30 p.m. in the CCHS theatre, while on Tuesday (June 9), students will offer Suite Surrender, by Don Zolidos at 7 p.m. in the theatre.
The productions are part of a five-week process led by Jodi Anderson.
“We have 50 students taking part,” she said. “Prep includes rehearsals, costumes, sets, lighting and sound. They’re all having a good time and are engaging themselves in the projects.”
The plays were selected from Playscripts, based in New York, which provides plays for a range of audiences from children to adults. “The Grade 12s were included in choosing the plays to narrow them down, do some read throughs and then make the final choice,” said Anderson. “The kids are definitely part of the decision making process and I think it encourages more engagement.”
Game of Tiaras is one act of about 45 minutes, aimed at an audience of teen to adult ages (“not for young kids or young girls,” said Anderson), while Suite Surrender runs to 80+ minutes and is aimed at an adult audience (some mild adult language).
In Game of Tiaras, the aging king of a magical kingdom (England) decides to split his empire between his three daughters, Cinderella, Belle, and the Snow Queen (who in no way resembles a copyrighted character), terrible tragedy ensues. Terrible, hilarious tragedy.
Combining the gut-wrenching plot twists of Game of Thrones and the soul-numbing despair of Shakespearean tragedy, this adaptation of King Lear will leave you dying with laughter as the body count mounts. When you play the Game of Tiaras, you win or you die.
In Suite Surrender, it’s 1942 and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel – assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow.
Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance ... that is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double entendres and a lap dog named Mr. Boodles round out this hilarious riot of a love note to the classic farces of the ‘30s and ‘40s.
