It's the time of year for student productions. First on the list, the University of Alberta's ABBEDAM drama troupe mounts Caryl Churchill's The Skriker , a 1994 play about a doom-wreaking, shape-shifting ancient fairy.
It's the time of year for student productions. First on the list, the University of Alberta's ABBEDAM drama troupe mounts Caryl Churchill's The Skriker, a 1994 play about a doom-wreaking, shape-shifting ancient fairy.
During the play, The Skriker transforms itself as it pursues two teenage mothers. The plot centres around Lily, a pregnant single mother, and Josie, a woman admitted to a mental institution for killing a child.
The Skriker befriends, manipulates, torments and entraps the two women in a web of horror and magic realism. The themes range from love, loss and revenge to post-natal psychosis and depression.
St. Albert's Claudia Kulay plays one of The Skriker's characters while Matthew Anderson morphs in and out of smaller roles including Raw Head and Bloody Bones.
"The play is beautifully written and it's a visual spectacle. To see all the elements together is an experience you can't get any other way," noted Anderson.
Performance dates are Nov. 2 to 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Second Playing Space at the Timms Centre for the Arts, 87 Ave. and 112 St. Tickets are $10 to $15 and are available at the door or online at http://www.tixonthesquare.ca
Concordia University
Theatre at Cue's first production of the season is Trina Davis'
Waxworks, a nod to the famous Madame Tussaud, the first artist to develop an international brand.
The era is 1789 right at the edge of the French Revolution. Marie Grosholtz, later known as Madame Tussaud is called back from her post teaching art at Versailles to Dr. Curtius' Wax Salon in the centre of Paris.
At the salon, she meets powerful figures including Maximilien Robespierre, one of the most influential men during the French Revolution and Reign of Terror. He takes a special interest in her work – that of reproducing the heads of guillotine victims.
But as the revolution descends into darkness, she is forced to confront the remains of those she befriended including Robespierre.
"It's actually very entertaining," said Kyra Laboucan of Cornerstone Community Fellowship who has role in the chorus. "I like the use of shadow play. It's very artistic and the play contains actual history. If you want a history lesson and be entertained at the same time, this is the play to see."
Waxworks plays Nov. 3 to 5 and Nov. 10 to 12 at Concordia's Huehn Theatre, 7128 Ada Boulevard. Tickets are $15 to $20. Call 780-420-1757 or at http://www.tixonthesquare.ca
