Bard in the Valley (BIV) is presenting Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost on three outdoor stages in Langley this summer, offering 16 performances between July 1 and August 2.
This is Bard in the Valley’s sixth season. Love’s Labour’s Lost is produced by BIV president, Diane Gendron and directed by Mandy Dyck.
Dyck, who had major roles both on and off stage in the last two BIV productions, has her bachelor’s degree in theatre from the University of the Fraser Valley and is currently teaching in the Surrey school district.
Admission is free to all three performances in Fort Langley on the lawn in front of the historic community hall, and to all eight performances on the Spirit Square Stage in Douglas Park in downtown Langley. Admission is $20 for the five performances at Township 7 Winery.
“Bard in the Valley is able to continue to offer this exciting, summer theatre admission-free thanks to generous community support. In addition, we have a terrific group of 60 talented actors, creative artists and dedicated people on the crew and production team who volunteer their time and energy for the season,” says Gendron.
“This is our way of giving something back to the community.”
“BIV is delighted to highlight the work of two young, artists in this show,” adds Gendron. “The play features original, high-energy dances by choreographer and dance instructor, Kyra Esau, and two original songs by multi-talented Bard in the Valley cast member and musical director, Lauren Trotzuk.”
Director Dyck says: “Love's Labour's Lost has intrigued me since the first time I read the script. Shakespeare was writing beyond his time and this play is certainly relevant our modern-day audience. With the women being in control, I could not help but want to direct it! Take one part men being silly, one part women being ruthless, and one part complete ridiculousness and you get Love's Labour's Lost – a tale of love, courtship, loss and all the games that come with it.”
“Audience’s will find our production to be high-energy and face-paced and fun,” says Dyck.
The audience is invited to come early and bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic. Chairs will also be available at all venues, as will snacks. Donations will be welcome to help cover production costs.
Tickets to attend the performances at the Township 7 Winery are $20 and can be reserved at http://club7.township7.com/store.
Performance Dates:
On the lawn in front of Fort Langley’s historic community hall. Admission free.
July 1 at 3 p.m. during Fort Langley’s Canada Day Celebrations.
July 2-3 at 7 p.m.
At the Township 7 Winery – Tickets $20.
July 10, 11 and 12 and July 17-18. The Sunday performance is a matinee and begins at 2 p.m. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m.
On the Spirit Square Stage in Douglas Park in Langley City. Admission free.
July 23, 24, 25 and 26, and July 30, 31 and August 1-2. The Sunday performances are matinees and begin at 2 p.m. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m.
The production is made possible with the generous support of the City of Langley, The Township of Langley, The Rotary Club of Langley, The Langley Times, 93.7 JRfm, Tourism Langley, Coast Capital Savings, Waterstone Law Group, 24/7 Security, Township 7 Winery, Deloitte, MediaLink Graphic Design, Jim See Trucking and Benjamin Moore – the Langley Decorating Centre.
For more Information about The Bard in the Valley Theatre Company please visit www.bardinthevalley.com.
SUMMARY
The play begins with an oath taken by the King of Navarre and his three companions. The men dedicate three years of their lives to studying at the academy with no distractions, not even women. The King, however, has forgotten that the Princess of France, whose father is seriously ill, is on her way to discuss the business of Aquitaine. When the Princess arrives, with her three ladies, each man falls in love with one of the women. The men pursue their love in secret of one another – for fear of the oath and the mockery that may come with being found out. Due to mixed-up letters and pledges being overheard, their secrets come to light and each man is found out. Throwing the oath aside the men decide to display their love for all to see. The women take their attempts to woo as foolery and tell the men that, if they are serious, they must spend a year away in seclusion to prove their love, while the women mourn the death of the Princess’s father. The men agree and they part ways in the end.
CAST
Actor, Character and Hometown
Jeff Hacker, King Ferdinand, Langley
Darcy Knopp, Berowne, Chilliwack
Russell Blower, Longaville, Maple Ridge
Reilly Ellis, Dumain, Abbotsford
Patrick McMath, Boyet, Abbotsford
Dakota Vegh, Sir Nathaniel, Langley
Luke Stevens, Don Adriano de Armado, Chilliwack
Shawn McGrory, Anthony Dull & Marcadé, Langley
Annastasia Unger, Costard, Langley
Lauren Trotzuk, Moth, Langley
Dayna Thomas, Princess, Langley
Madison McArthur, Rosaline, Abbotsford
Ashlyn Tegg, Katharine, Chilliwack
Kailea De Leon, Maria, Langley
Karliana DeWolff, Jaquenetta, Langley
Ashley Sutton, Holofernes, Maple Ridge
Director Mandy Dyck is from Chilliwack Musical Director Lauren Trotzuk is from Langley Choreographer Kyra Esau is from Abbotsford