Shadow Theatre remounts The Red King's Dream

There’s no better way for a production company to celebrate a landmark silver anniversary than by physically moving into a new theatre.

Tomorrow night Shadow Theatre launches its season with a remount of playwright David Belke’s The Red King’s Dream at the newly renovated Varscona Theatre.

“The space is so beautiful and such a great environment to produce a play. The audience is so connected to the stage and there are so many amenities,” said Shadow Theatre artistic director John Hudson.

Originally Belke produced The Red King’s Dream at the 1996 Edmonton Fringe Festival and later in 1999 through Shadow under the guiding hand of Hudson.

“It’s a delightful comedy about taking risks and how unexpected things can happen,” said Hudson.

Once again he directs this comedic fantasy romance surrounding Steven Tudor, a pleasant young man who writes indexes from the security of his home.

His only visits are from a cute, daffy neighbour, Amy, who is quite comfortable popping in at any hour. His other visitor is Ms. Rapell, a loud, domineering publisher.

Into this insulated environment steps Zoe, an intellectually interesting university student. She has accidentally locked herself out of the building and buzzes Steven’s apartment asking for admittance.

“She sparks Steven’s intellect and his emotions,” said Hudson. “Zoe (Amber Bissonnette) is a little wounded. She’s just getting through a bad breakup. She’s intellectually sharp and can talk on a wide range of subjects and that kind of intellectualism attracts Steven.”

Cast in the role of Steven, Mathew Hulshof, fresh off Wild Side’s production 10 out of 12, is the charming, introverted agoraphobic.

“The character of Steven is close to David. David has this tremendous heart and intellect and he’s created this lovely idea of being in love and falling down a rabbit hole.”

St. Albert Theatre’s music director Rachel Bowron, a close friend of Hulshof, is cast as best friend Amy.

“There’s a delightful chemistry in that she pops in and out and brings the play to life. As close friends in real life, they have this touchstone and delightful ease when playing friends on stage,” Hudson noted.

And finally Linda Grass as Ms. Rapell has been dubbed “the dominator,” a woman who emanates a powerful stage presence and commands all eyes when acting a scene.

Since Red King was last produced 17 years ago, a few line changes and scene transitions were added to increase a smoother flow.

“At that time we were on the cusp of the Internet. Then we had floppy disks. Someone in the play asks to borrow a floppy disk and we changed the line to memory sticks,” chuckles Hudson.

Shadow Theatre features two for one Tuesdays and pay-what-you-can Saturday matinees.