CULTURE GECKO
Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan’s 39th Season Brings a Bold, Diverse Vision
By Ezekiel McAdams
July 13 2024
Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan is celebrating its 39th season. The company was formed in 1985 by Gordon McCall. Kathleen McFadden was marketing director with Henry Woolf and John Wright serving on the board of directors.
The company’s first production was an iteration of A Midsummer Night's Dream set on a golf course performed by members of NightCap Productions that was formed with the express purpose of integrating into the new company from the Saskatoon Soaps.
McCall resigned in fall of 1990 to take over Sudbury Theatre Centre.
Kayvon Koshkom has been the artistic director since 2022.
Done/Undone is an original work by Vancouver actor, Kate Besworth and is having its world premiere at the festival.
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The production looks at William Shakespeare’s body of work through a critical and feminist lens that critiques, extrapolates and challenges the per-conceived notions from themes of gender inequality, white privilege, racial diversity etc.
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Done/Undone was originally conceived to take part on the Bard on the Beach’s season but was interrupted due to the COVID pandemic and lockdown. Besworth instead adapted it as an indie film. The production stars an ensemble consisting of Lisa Bayliss, Skye Brandon, Kody Farrow, Kristel Harder, Grahame Kent, Chris Krug-Iron, Bongani Musa, Mara Teare, Phillipa Williams and Kevin Williamson.
It is directed by Anita Smith. Smith is the artistic director of 25th Street Theatre and previously directed their production of The Art of French Cooking which ran in spring 2024.
Done/UnDone runs from July 13 to August 24 2024.
The company is also doing a two week run of Juliet: A Revenge Comedy. A reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet that is turns into a fast paced action adventure comedy.
The production comes from Vancouver’s Monster Theatre.
This iteration stars Lili Beaudin, Carly Pokoradi and Ryan Gladstone. Gladstone is also directing and was written by Pippa Mackie and Gladstone. It runs from August 6-18 2024.
Sashay on the Saskatchewan will be an all ages drag queen performance. Hosted by Saskatoon’s Puffy von Pop-n-Fresh and featuring Sad Sally, Chyna Lilly and perhaps some special guests. The event will be held on July 14 2024.
The company is hosting Love Labour’s Won by Will-AI-m Shakespeare a sequel to Love Labour’s Lost. The topic of A.I. has permeated academic and pop culture and has challenged how we create and write original work, essays and academic papers etc This will only be a one day event on July 21 2024.
The Players Series will feature original works Buttered Ghost Theatre, Jonathan Pickrell, Peace Akintade, David Shields and musician Oli Guselle. The event will held on July 28-29th 2024.
The Chefs on Saskatchewan series is where the festival site will be transformed into a 1920s era ascetic and will include a three course meal.
The courses will be an appetizer from Calories Chef Jacinta Taylor. The main course will be from Odla’s Head Chef Brian Gibbons and dessert will be provided St. Tropaz’s Executive Chef Jason Strohan. The event will be held on August 22 2024.
The festival is doing partnerships with local companies 9 Mile Brewery to promote Hamlet with a festival season drink, To Beer or not to Beer. A play on words of the line “To be or not to be, that is the question” The beer can be bought on site at Toby’s Tavern throughout the season.
Ground Yoga is also facilitating Yoga Sundays on August 4 and 18 2024.
Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan’s 39th season runs from July 5-August 25 2024. Tickets can be bought online or at the box office.
Notably instead of two Shakespeare productions there is just one this year, a iteration of Hamlet set in the 1920s. It stars Vancouver actor, Praneet Akilla in the title role.
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Akilla, an accomplished theatre actor may be more well known this his screen credits on tv series such as The CW’s Nancy Drew as Gil Bobbsey (one half of the Bobbsey Twins), Netflix’s October Faction playing another twin, Philip Mirsha and on SkyMed as Chopper.. SkyMed is seen nationally on streaming service, CBC Gem and internationally on streaming service, Paramount Plus.
The ensemble of Hamlet includes Lisa Bayliss, Skye Brandon, Kody Farrow, Kristel Harder, Grahame Kent, Chris Krug-Iron, Bongani Musa, Mara Teare, Phillipa Williams and Kevin Williamson. Danielle Charette is performing swing which is a theatre term for understudy.