— by Cara Russell —
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“Shakespeare was always meant to be a living form of communication and read out loud,” chanted lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast Jane Alden as she participated in ‘Community Night,’ at Random Howse last night.
The warm weather of the evening pleasantly complemented the sonnets and monologues performed by local actors and musicians to a joyous audience, full-bellied with wine and pad thai. The evening began with the goodly sir and appointed emcee, Christopher Evans, who read our collective horoscope for this week. “This is a good time to break away from the harsh realities of the real world and embrace a week of spontaneity, enjoy foolishness, and have a rousing good time.”
Alden discussed “Why Bill, almost 400 years later?” She spoke of playing Helen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at sixteen. She explained iambic pentameter and how it is the heartbeat of us all.
“Oh Romeo, oh Romeo” thump thump, thump thump.
And we heard it in the cadence of the chant of the three witches of Macbeth: “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
Chef Kevin Gregus provided a feast to actors and audience, while musician Burke Mulvany played the bass walkabout dulcimer and thumb piano between performances. Jeff Horton was tucked away in a bird nest view tech booth, providing the lighting and sound.
And Chamber of Commerce Director, Lance Evans flaunted a William Shakespeare T-shirt, designed by Shane Watson, and printed on demand at The Print Shop. The shirt displayed the famous Shakespeare portrait, with his shoulders fashioned in the shape of Orcas Island.
Even while dishes clattered in the kitchen, we could still hear that heartbeat throughout the night that Alden spoke of. Carl Burger recited Hamlet in under three minutes. Witches included Donna Riordan, Lynda Sanders, and Kristen Wilson, with Carolyn and Tom Fiscus as Lady and Lord Macbeth. Katie and Regina Zwilling played Juliet and Romeo. Sukima Hampton made the sexism of The Taming of the Shrew somewhat bearable. Jim Shaffer-Bauck recited Shakespeare’s love sonnets.
Newer to the stage, Priscilla Velasco tore the audience open with her performance from The Winter’s Tale.
Robert Hall murdered us with laughter as he recited Two Gentlemen of Verona – Launce’s Monologue with a dog. The role of dog was well performed by Jack, the bartenders dog. Frank Michels spoke from Hamlet. Both Sukima and Tom returned for a reprieve, Sukima performing from Romeo and Juliet, Tom Richard III. Michael Armenia also read from Hamlet, and Random Howse co-owner, April Duke finished the audience off by sharing Shakespeare’s Literary Coinage.
A special thanks was given out to Robert Hall, Tom Fiscus, Michael Armenia, and Colleen O’Brien for all of the work they have individually contribute to help make the Annual Shakespeare festival a success.
And don’t forget that tonight (Friday, April 1st) Unexpected Productions: Improv group from Seattle, Thai food, Random Howse, 6:30 to 8 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. Reservations recommended: 376-1111. Tickets are $15 and available from the Chamber of Commerce.
“The Chamber of Commerce is working with our business community to take part in the fun,” said Susan Gudgell, the Chamber’s Board President. “Orcas Island will be transformed into a Salish Sea version of Stratford-upon-Avon. With an amazing variety of talented local artists, Orcas has earned the reputation as an ‘Island for the Arts,’ and this year’s Shakespeare Festival will only add to that reputation.”
