Performed October 11-15 & October 17-21, 2006 at Chernoff Hall, Queen's University

Directed by Alex Dault
Produced and Dramaturged by Liam Karry

Featuring:
Kat Sandler, David Condren, Steve Shadinger, Tom Mcgee, Annie Briggs, Valen Boyd, Graham Hood, Emma Hunter, Jonathan Heppner, Sasha Kovacs, Rob Lampard, Viktor Lukawski, Shannon Mitchell, Simon Paabor, Keith Bennie, Adam Wray

Director's Notes:

It will be seen that the poet's function is to describe, not the thing that has happened, but a kind of thing that might happen, i.e what is possible as being probable or necessary.
-Aristotle, Poetics

My dear audience members.

This is not William Shakespeare's "The Life of King Henry V".

I'm terribly sorry- We lied to you so that you'd come see the show. All that I ask is that you will give me the chance to explain. Six months ago, we took the original Folio text and tampered with it slightly, i.e, made all the French characters English-Canadians and all the English characters Quebec seccessionists.

The result is something more in the genre of 'espionage-thriller', set in Canada during the late nineteen-sixties/early seventies. It tells the story of 'Harry England', a debonaire young Quebec politician and his impossible quest to lead the Quebec Sovereigntist movement in rebellion against an oppressive Federalist regime under Lester B. Pearson and his dread Minister of Justice, Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

The world we submit you to your indifference is Canada as it could have been. We have endeavoured to the best of our ability to create this world from the sum of its parts- with FLQ style terrorism, the unmitigated authority of the waning Catholic Church, seventies-style firebrand passion for life, love, politics and the sheer uncertainty at being born at the dawn of a new age.

Peace out our imperfections with your thoughts and enjoy. — Alex Dault

 

Artistic Director's Notes: It is rare to work with those who possess enough talent to create art that effectively works toward societal change. It is even more rare to work with those who dare to make the attempt. During Henry V, I have had the privledge of working with a group of young adults who chose to use their considerable talents to wage war against the omnipresent forces of political apathy.

Henry V is Single Thread's ninth production, and is, by far, its most blantantly political. On behalf of the Single Thread Theatre Company, I wish to congratulate Alex and his team for their amazing work. The Single Thread Theatre Company is proud to be associated with such a dynamic group of young artists. — Liam Karry

Cast:
Sasha Kovacs Q
David Condren Bishop Gray/Governor of Harflew
Jonathan Heppner Jesuit/Williams
Rob Lampard Harry England
Adam Wray Nym
Viktor Lukawski Exeter
Kat Sandler Fluellen
Valen Boyd Bedford
Annie Briggs Scroop
Shannon Mitchell Boy
Emma Hunter Gower/Katherine
Sarah Bruckschwaiger Nell
Tom McGee Montjoy
Steve Schadinger Pistol
Keith Benny Dolphin
Graham Hood High Constable
Simon Paabor King/Bardolph
Cameron McLean Federal Agent
Marianne Vander Dussen CBC Reporter
Fernanda Fukamati Alice/Federal Agent

Production Team:
Director Alex Dault
Producer/Dramaturge Liam Karry
Production Manager Mary Fraser
Stage Manager Justine Labute
Lighting Design/ Technical Director Conor Moore
Sound Design/ Scenography Doug Brown
Fight Choreography Dorian Foley
Costume Design Tara Downs
Assistant Stage Managers Julianna Wintemute
Anna Diemert
Ryan Graham
Production Assistant Heather Glumac
Head of Props Michel Hau
Head of Wardrobe Kathleen Gudmundsson
Head Carpenter Dan Rider
Head Electrician Rosemary Nolan
Sponsorship Assistant Danyal Martin
Chief Roadie Matthew Daubaras
Graphic Design Dan Sadaba
Lighting Crew Cat Haywood
Cameron MacLean
Fight Captains Kat Sandler
Tom McGee

Henry's national battle:
16th century England meets 20th century Canada

by Taylor Burnes, Queen's Journal (Oct 13, 2006)

Under direction of Alex Dault, and with production from Liam Karry, Single Thread transfers Shakespeare's Henry V into a familiar contemporary setting - 1970's Quebec. Swords to guns, men to women, castles to skyscrapers, the 16th century to the 20th: there are endless attempts to convey Shakespeare in a more relevant light:

What distinguishes Single Thread's attempt isn't their application of a modernized framework-rather, it's how they changed some of Shakespeare's words, characters, and cultures in an attempt to create a relevant and immediate theatrical experience.

With references to Dalton McGuinty, Sir John A, Macdonald, Aberdeen Street and a humourously choreographed fight over a hockey stick, this production has the potential to engage both Shakespearean scholars and those unfamiliar with the Bard.

One of Shakespeare's classical historical plays, Henry V documents the rise of King Henry V of England, a noble leader who epitomizes classical heroism, and his quest to establish the right to the nation of France.

He's received with defiance from the French, who insult him by giving him a crate of tennis balls. Henry and crew conclude that an invasion of France is their only option. Mutiny, inspirational monologues, and malignant violence ensue.

Single Thread's production has nothing to do with the rivalry between England and France. Instead of King Henry, we are introduced to Harry England (Rob Lampard), leader of a sovereigntist French Canadian group reminiscent of the FLQ.

England's character is established as an ideal leader who is loved by his people and greeted with praise and celebration wherever he goes. Despite his morally questionable resolve, England is presented as an unquestionable hero for the majority of the production, thanks to Lampard's convincing performance.

The federal government of Canada replaces the cultural antagonist of France, which places the play deeply inside the political context of 1970's Quebec.

Shakespeare's traditional plot line follows with the sovereigntist group and the federalists, posing the potential for a cluttered performance. The language and character transformations involved, it's an ambitious undertaking that requires much imagination and clear direction to remain comprehensible.

The production is aware of these potentially disorienting alternations, and attempts to unite the production through its visuals. With clever lighting, the audience is able to travel through the constant reversals of language and culture without much disarray. A minimalist set outside of Chernoff Hall reminiscent of the Elizabethan stage, comprised of a small, reversible stage block that exhibits the Canadian flag on one side and the Fleur-De-Lis on the other, emphasizes the dramatic shifts.

The relatively large ensemble cast works together well to aid the flow of the production, and much needed humor is added by Keith Bennie (the Dolphin) and Simon Paabor (the King) on the federal floor.

As is typical of most plays that thrive on reinterpretation for pragmatic expression, Henry V occasionally loses the boisterous elegance and entertainment of the original setting. The staging occasionally suffers from overwrought allusions where simpler expressions would suffice. Yet, Henry V recovers through it's scenes of pointed dramatics.

Despite minor flaws, the production is successful in transforming one of Shakespeare's greatest historical pieces into one a relevant and intimate experience, remarking on the importance of nationhood and stressing the significance of political voices in action.

Letter to the Editor: Front Page flag-burning photo offensive

Opinion Section, Queen's Journal (Oct 17, 2006) in response to a front page photo of the final scene in Single Thread's Henry V

Dear Editors:
Re: "Just watch them" (Journal, October 13, 2006)

I was very offended when I picked up the last issue of the Journal. I never thought I would see our nation's flag being burned - especially at Queen's, the most prestigious university in Canada.

Now I know it was for a story about Single Thread's Henry V, and the play's adaptation is based in 1970s Quebec. Nevertheless, there was no need to have a picture of the Canadian flag being burned on the front page, when I am sure there are various other pictures that you could have chosen.

Austin Zygmunt
ArtSci '10

King Henry meets the FLQ crisis:
Single Thread reinterprets Shakespeare

by Lauren Raham, Queen's Journal (Oct 10, 2006)

The Single Thread Theatre Company doesn't just want to entertain you.

The company would like their production of Shakespeare's Henry V to provoke and education audiences as well.

"Theatre is an art form that questions it's audience in an immediate way," said Liam Karry, Single Thread's artistic director.

"Theatre should stop trying to be like cinema, and should concentrate on its own strengths," said Karry. "I think there's an attitude that theatre is cinema's poor cousin. But it's not. It's a different art for altogether."

Single Thread was started in 2003 by nine students who thought campus theatre lacked relevance.

"We started Single Thread in order to put a focus on Canadian playwrights, as well as the classical texts that inspired them," Karry said.

The company reinterpreted Henry V so that the story now takes place in 1970's Quebec during the FLQ crisis.

The revamped script was initiated by director Alex Dault, ArtSci '07, about six months ago. The inspiration sprung from political apathy among young people in Canada.

"Voter turnout among university students is deplorable" said Karry, who believes that university students have a responsibility to be politically engaged.

Karry hopes the company's production of Henry V, which debuts tomorrow at Chernoff Hall, will incite interest in political and social issues that affect university students in Canada.

"We don't produce 'art for art's sake," he said. "Theatre is meant to educate, not just challenge our ideas of art."

"We're hoping people will become interested in issues that are relevant after seeing the play."

The company also strives to put on theatre productions in the most professional way possible.

About 40 full-time Queen's students from various departments, including drama, helped put the production together.

"For them to pull something off of this magnitude makes me very proud" Karry said, adding that everyone involved is very passionate about "making things happen."

Single Thread hopes to have large turnouts for the performances at Chernoff Hall, but for Karry, the success of Henry V can be measured by the effect is has on the audience.