Theatre NorthWest is gearing up to present its final two stage-readings of the year, one of which has Prince George as the setting.
Local writer and actor Solomon Goudsward wrote and directed a play called Smoke Sturgeon, which actually takes place in a fictional version of Theatre NorthWest.
Goudsward says the play started off as an undergraduate assignment for a creative writing class at UNBC and is now coming to life as a stage-reading.
“It is a comedy but it is very philosophical,” says Goudsward. The play is based on a melancholic poet’s search for meaning and clarity amidst the hazy landscapes of the self and the industrial urban north.
“It is sort of cerebral on one side, but on the other side, you don’t need to think about it that much to come and have a good time.”
Taking on spirituality and Shakespeare with an absurdist wit, Smoke Sturgeon is described as a postmodern delight for the tortured artist in us all.
It will take place Friday (Nov. 20) and will be followed by Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus directed by Anna Russell on Saturday (Nov. 21).
This play, which had a limited run on Broadway in 2019, also plays with Shakespeare as it interjects with the bard’s first tragedy, Titus Andronicus.
Set during the fall of the Roman Empire, the years of bloody battles are over, the civil war has ended and the country has been stolen by madmen.
The play follows two very lowly servants who are charged with cleaning up the bodies and as it deals with a lot of gruesome and violent themes, it may be best to leave the kids at home for this one.
“There’s obviously elements of Shakespearian prose and poetry within the play but the majority of the play is in regular spoken language,” says Russell.
“It was nominated for seven Tony awards and it was pretty well received for its limited run on Broadway."
While the set design for Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus is supposed to be quite elaborate and gruesome consisting of piles of bodies, Russell says the stage-reading of the play allows the strength of the text and the acting to shine.
“Ultimately a good play comes down to the text, and if the text is telling a good story and the actors are pulling that together, everything else on top of that is just layers. It’s just gravy on top of that,” says Russell.
“It’s is really important for actors and directors to try because it really tells you what your baseline is and what you are made of, really.”
These last two stage-readings of 2020 follow the success of several sold-out shows.
Executive Director Marnie Hamagami has been excited about the opportunity to host stage-readings and give playwrights an avenue in the era of COVID-19.
Tickets for the two stage-readings are available on Theatre NorthWest’s website.
Theatre NorthWest will also be hosting Judy Russell’s stage-reading of Miracle on 34th Street this holiday season, Dec. 11 to 19.
