This comedy is based on Aesop's fable of the same name: A man befriends a lion by taking a thorn out of its paw. Later, he faces the lion in the Roman Colosseum. Shaw’s comic retelling satirizes intolerance as we watch his characters decide whether it’s worth dying to defend their values.
George Bernard Shaw is considered one of the most influential playwrights in the English language second only to Shakespeare. Shaw has a powerful message for our time. The Romans threw early Christians to the lions in the Colosseum for sport. As we look to mass deportations south of our border, and to on-going religious and ethnic persecution in the Middle East and Europe, can we say that we treat our minorities any better 2000 years later? Shaw’s clever satire shines 100 years after it was written, yanking the mask off the best and worst in human nature, as we struggle to live side by side with one another.
The play is presented in mask. The characters are larger than life and Monty Python-esque physical comedy is at the core.
While Shaw's biting satire will be fully understood by adults, children and families will enjoy the masks and physical comedy, the presence of several child actors, and the spectacle of watching a cast member impersonating a lion, who is the hero of the play.*
* While it is discussed that characters fight in the Roman Colosseum and there are mock period weapons on stage, this action happens off stage.
Ticketing Details:
$25 adults
$10 students 13-17
$5 children < 13
- 7 p.m. Nov. 21, 22, 28, 29
- 2 p.m. Nov. 30
Doors open at 6:30 and 1:30 respectively.
Bar open before and at intermission.
The Sunday closing performance will be followed by a Q&A with the director, crew and actors.
Director: Cathy Edwards
Cast:
Lavinia – Margo Seymour
The Captain – Phil Surette
Androcles – Andrew Rooney
The Lion – Stephanie Mullen-Kavanaugh
The Emperor – Rita Jain
Ferrovius – Greg McKenzie
Spintho – Paola de Rose
Lentullus/The Menagerie Keeper – Shelley Harrison
Metellus – Gillian Kirkland
The Centurion/a gladiator – Jim Payette
The Editor/a guard – Mark Arneson
Megaera/a guard/a gladiator – Abrah Arneson
Retiarius/The beggar – Eitan Amit
Secutor – Robert Labbe
The Call Boy – Francis Labbe
Christian 1 – Bianca Healy
Christian 2 – Shari Greenhorn
Christian 3 – Jennifer Sutton
Gladiators – Calixa Edwards, Lily Russell.
Also check out other Arts events in Wakefield, Theatre events in Wakefield, Comedy events in Wakefield.
