A whimsical love story with sword fighting, jealous quarreling, and colourful costumes is what Concordia’s Theatre department has to offer this semester. The Fickle Woman, a play by Carlo Goldoni, will deliver an array of emotions in a specific style to audiences.
“The appeal is great,” said Glenda Braganza, a third-year Theatre student participating in the production. “There is all sorts eye candy. I mean, in terms of the costumes and the masks, it is a lot of fun!”
This Italian Renaissance piece, acted in Commedia Del’ Arte (theatrical comedy), tells the story of Rosaura’s quest for the perfect suitor. Her father, Pantalone, is a rich merchant and wants nothing but to marry off his mercurial daughter. While Rosaura wants to please her demanding father, her ultimate goal
is to be the envy of all her friends.
The stage director, Jean-Francois Gagnon, teaches a course on Commedia Del’ Arte at Concordia. Some of the actors completed the course last semester. Those who have studied this complex form of acting, based on comedy through gesture, are finding the experience wonderful. Others are learning as they go.
“Those who haven’t studied it are having all sorts of stuff thrown at them. It’s the kind of thing that some actors spend their entire life studying and perfecting,” explained Sadia Mahmood a third-year Theatre student. “We’re all
beginners in this complicated genre, but we all feed off of each other’s energy.”
Heather Markgraf, the Theatre department’s publicity coordinator, said the play was chosen because its specific genre is fun. “It exposes the students, and the public, to new types of genres that are not often used.” Markgraf also sees this an excellent opportunity for the students to put what they’ve learned in the
classroom to good use.
Because of the nature of the acting, the play promises to be full of energy and activity. On the other hand, the set is relatively simple. It features five wooden arches closed off by rugged burlap curtains. Behind, a cool summer
background provides life to the set. The music is light-hearted and fanciful and will make spirits dance.
As short clips of music resounded through the near empty auditorium at one of last week’s rehearsals, the actors’ excitement was palpable. With opening night approaching, Mahmood noted, “You can already see it starting to bubble.”
The Fickle Woman will be showing on March 8-10 and March 15-17 at 8:00 p.m. and on March 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the F.C. Smith Auditorium Lobby, Loyola Campus, 7141 Sherbrooke W. $10 general admission; $7 for seniors; $6 for Concordia alumni; $5 for students and $2 for Concordia Theatre students.
“The appeal is great,” said Glenda Braganza, a third-year Theatre student participating in the production. “There is all sorts eye candy. I mean, in terms of the costumes and the masks, it is a lot of fun!”
This Italian Renaissance piece, acted in Commedia Del’ Arte (theatrical comedy), tells the story of Rosaura’s quest for the perfect suitor. Her father, Pantalone, is a rich merchant and wants nothing but to marry off his mercurial daughter. While Rosaura wants to please her demanding father, her ultimate goal
is to be the envy of all her friends.
The stage director, Jean-Francois Gagnon, teaches a course on Commedia Del’ Arte at Concordia. Some of the actors completed the course last semester. Those who have studied this complex form of acting, based on comedy through gesture, are finding the experience wonderful. Others are learning as they go.
“Those who haven’t studied it are having all sorts of stuff thrown at them. It’s the kind of thing that some actors spend their entire life studying and perfecting,” explained Sadia Mahmood a third-year Theatre student. “We’re all
beginners in this complicated genre, but we all feed off of each other’s energy.”
Heather Markgraf, the Theatre department’s publicity coordinator, said the play was chosen because its specific genre is fun. “It exposes the students, and the public, to new types of genres that are not often used.” Markgraf also sees this an excellent opportunity for the students to put what they’ve learned in the
classroom to good use.
Because of the nature of the acting, the play promises to be full of energy and activity. On the other hand, the set is relatively simple. It features five wooden arches closed off by rugged burlap curtains. Behind, a cool summer
background provides life to the set. The music is light-hearted and fanciful and will make spirits dance.
As short clips of music resounded through the near empty auditorium at one of last week’s rehearsals, the actors’ excitement was palpable. With opening night approaching, Mahmood noted, “You can already see it starting to bubble.”
The Fickle Woman will be showing on March 8-10 and March 15-17 at 8:00 p.m. and on March 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the F.C. Smith Auditorium Lobby, Loyola Campus, 7141 Sherbrooke W. $10 general admission; $7 for seniors; $6 for Concordia alumni; $5 for students and $2 for Concordia Theatre students.
