A major theatrical collaboration is set to take the stage in Prince Albert this February as Shakespeare in Love arrives at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts.
Presented by Little Birdie Productions and Odyssey Productions, the play runs Feb. 11 to 14, with four evening performances and a Saturday matinee. The production is co-directed by Kim Morall and Adreanna Gareau and features a cast of 28 local actors.
Gareau said the decision to bring Shakespeare is Love to Prince Albert was rooted in timing, familiarity, and audience appeal.
“Prince Albert is a community that loves comedy and recognizable titles.” Gareau said. “‘Shakespeare in Love’ is a name people know. It has romance, it has humor, and doing it over Valentine’s Day weekend just felt like the right fit.”
Based on the Oscar winning film, the stage adaptation tells the story of young William Shakespeare struggling with writer’s block until he meets Viola De Lesseps. Their romance becomes the inspiration for Romeo and Juliet, with the play weaving together love storytelling and theatrical chaos.
While the story draws from Shakespeare’s world. Gareau emphasized that audiences do not need to be familiar with Shakespeare to enjoy the production.
“You do not have to be a Shakespeare expert to come to this play,” she said. “At its heart it is about a writer who falls in love and finds inspiration. His name just happens to be William Shakespeare.”
She added that while longtime Shakespeare fans will catch references and lines drawn from classic works, new audiences will still be able to follow the story clearly through action pacing and character relationships.
The production marks a significant collaboration between local theatre groups, something Gareau said was intentional from the beginning.
“We knew this play would require all hands on deck,” she said. “Actors designers, stage managers, fight directors, choreographers. This was about bringing people together rather than working in silos.”
Gareau and Morrall split directing responsibilities based on their strengths. Morrall focuses closely on individual performances and relationships, while Gareau looks at the broader picture of movement staging and large ensemble scenes.
Gareau also handled intimacy direction for the production, guiding scenes involving romance with care and clarity.
“This is a big-cast and fast-moving show,” Gareau said. “Having two sets of eyes allows nothing to get missed.”
Rehearsals confirmed the depth of local talent, she added.
“People showed up ready to work and willing to try new things,” Gareau said. “Sword fighting, Renaissance dance scenes, and complex staging. The commitment has been incredible.”
The scale of the show also presented technical challenges, including extensive set changes. With support from the title sponsor, Penta Construction and Restoration Services, the set was built off-site and designed to move quickly while evoking an Elizabethan theatre environment.
Beyond the stage, the production includes a charitable component. For every ticket sold, the Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation will donate $10 to the Ronald McDonald House in Prince Albert.
“It is a play about love,” Gareau said. “It feels right that it also gives back to the community.”
Tickets are available through the E.A. Rawlinson Centre box office and online at earc.ca
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
