HomeMy WebLinkAboutCanterbury double bill features ancient Greek comedy, world premier of murder mystery - Ottawa South News - 04/17/2017 - Ottawa South News - 04/17/2017Ottawa South News 1 23 hours ago
When it comes to Canterbury's annual grad shows, audiences have come to
expect productions that push the envelope.
The high school's graduating dramatic arts students are back this year with a
double bill designed to turn heads with 'Lysistrata of Aristophanes,' a Greek
comedy set in 411 BC that, despite having been written in ancient times, will
serve as a comment on modern society.
"I'm pushing the envelope," said Sheila Knight, the play's director and a
longtime Canterbury drama teacher. "I think it's very timely."
The story follows a woman who rallies local women to develop a plan to stop
the Polynesian War, which has been dragging on for several years. Women on
both sides of the conflict decide to withhold sex from their husbands, as a form
of antiwar protest.
While thought-provoking, the storyline is also laugh -out -loud funny. However,
the show isn't for all ages given its mature subject matter, but is considered
ideal for teens and an older audience.
"It's the idea that women do have the power to make change and that,
believe, down the road if women were in the power positions in the world we
would have peace," Knight said.
"It's really relevant to an issue that is important today," said Sofie Milito, an
Orleans resident who stars as Lysistrata, the central character in the political
satire.
"It's got a lot of feminist elements and characters who try to bring equality to
women," the 17 -year-old said. "It's also got great big hilarious characters."
Sarah Conway, who will perform as a masked male chorus member, agreed.
"I think the audience will be crying by the end in laughter," said the 17 -year-old
Manor Park resident.
Canterbury High School's graduating dramatic arts students are preparing for
the curtain to go up April 25 to 29 for their double bill of plays, including a
Greek comedy called 'Lysistrata of Aristophanes.' The second show is a
1950s murder mystery and world stage premier of `Death of a Perfect
Stranger,' based on the books of Canadian novelist Alan Bradley.
As funny as it is, the story raises important issues and questions about how far sear Clement, star in CanterbuuSouth Keys, and Sadie Laflamme -Snow, of o, will
ry High School's upcoming play 'Death of a PerfectWesco Stranger'
They women's rights have come compared to ancient Greek times Sofle said. murder me among a lsfteamofestage.lght udents who adapted two Alan Bradley
r murder mystery novels for the stage.
"The point is that we're not perfect and that there is still a lot of room to grow.
Even in ancient Greece this was a thing, this isn't a new problem," Sarah said.
"We really want to highlight the fact that we need to keep trying new things and
doing the best that we can."
DEATH OF A PERFECT STRANGER
Paul Griffin, head of Canterbury's drama department, is directing his class of
students in 'Death of a Perfect Stranger,' which will be the world stage premier
of two of Canadian Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce murder mystery novels.
Griffin and eight students adapted Bradley's first two novels for the stage.
When Griffin first read Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and The Weed that
Strings the Hangman's Bag, he was immediately struck by how enjoyable they
were "in that young adult fiction way."
Canterbury High School's graduating dramatic arts students are preparing for
the curtain to go up April 25 to 29 for their double bill of plays: a Greek
comedy called `Lysistrata of Aristophanes,' which Sofie Milito (left), of Orleans,
and Sarah Conway, of Manor Park, will perform in. The second show is a
1950s murder mystery and student -written world premier of 'Death of a Perfect
Stranger,' based on books of Canadian novelist Alan Bradley.
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"They're darker in some ways. The deaths are strong, but no worse than Harry Potter," he said. "The difference is the 11 -year-
old loves all the death."
Griffin is referring to Flavia de Luce, a young amateur sleuth.
Set in England in 1950, the play will feature a whodunit flare. It will be ideal for all ages, particularly preteens and up.
"There's a kind of magic to it that I like," said Griffin. "It's about this 11 -year-old girl who is seemingly not liked by anyone, who
has to fight against whatever she's got."
Flavia is often reminded of her young age, that she is just a girl. She has a parent who ignores her and two sisters who
torment her, telling her what she can and cannot do. Flavia's aunt ultimately tells her to remain true to herself and "you're a
volcano and you'll transform the world," said Griffin.
Grade 12 students Sadie Laflamme -Snow, who performs the role of Flavia, and Jeff Clement, who plays Frank Pemberton,
who is writing a book about English architecture, were part of the student team that adapted the novels for the stage.
They continue to tweak the script as rehearsals ramp up.
"It's an interesting challenge," said Sadie, 17, of Westboro. "We can't keep everything, but what we have kept highlights
probably the most magical and the best concept."
The characters in Bradley's books are deeply central to what makes the storyline fun and exciting, Jeff added.
"For us, a big portion of the writing process was translating those characters faithfully from the page to the stage," the 17 -
year -old South Keys resident said.
For Griffin, the opportunity to adapt two books for the stage was a unique educational experience that has allowed his
students to delve deeply into the stories and the analytical process.
"It's a great exercise in understanding how to be flexible, how to be elastic, how to transform something easily without making
it more difficult, and yet be more concise," he said.
DOUBLE BILL DETAILS
The curtain goes up April 25 to 29, beginning at 4 and 7:30 p.m., at Canterbury High School, 900 Canterbury Ave.
Tickets cost $8 for students and seniors, and $15 for adults. Double bill tickets are $10 for students and seniors, and $20 for
adults. Tickets are available at the school, or by emailing chsgradshows20l7@gmail.com .
Erin McCracken is a reporter/photographer with Metroland Media's Ottawa South News. She can be reached at
erin.mccracken@metroland.com . Follow her on Twitterand Facebook .
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