Some serious Stones
Theatre Department production promises zero admission fee, high-concept fun
Megan Narsing
Contributor
Putting on a play at the University of Regina takes a lot of preparation, time, effort, and talent from all members of the cast and crew; it all makes the joy of the end result nothing less than satisfying. Katie Moore, who plays the title role in the U of R Theatre Department’s new production, Eurydice, is elated about the play despite her jam-packed schedule.
“Coffee is my best friend right now!” Moore laughed. “Some days I have class from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and then I have to go straight to rehearsal. So its really tough and a lot of the other acting students have crazy hectic schedules too. You have to plan out your life day by day.”
Even though she has to juggle so much, she said, the play is worth it. She is more than ecstatic about her role in the production.
Auditions were held back in late November. Since then, the cast and crew have been busy hustling and bustling around getting things prepared. Even during her interview with the Carillon, a few crewmembers approached Katie to discuss quick costume details before hurrying off.
Eurydice is a modern take on the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus. The original myth mainly focuses on Orpheus and his travels, including his journey to the underworld to save his wife, Eurydice, after her death. The play, however, focuses on Eurydice and her life in the underworld, similar to a behind-the-scenes type of story.
Moore said that the challenges of playing Eurydice involved nothing so drastic as having to lose or gain any weight, though she did laugh and mention that she began jumping rope and practicing walking in heels for the role.
“I’ve had a really hard time trying to get [Eurydice] down because she loses her memory in the underworld, so in one moment she’ll be really happy and the next really sad. So she’s definitely an interesting character to act and definitely an acting challenge for me.”
Eurydice isn’t all drama, though. With subtle hints from the author, one can find a few comedic like aspects in this performance. “Sarah Rule [the play’s author] has done a really amazing job with writing the script. It’ll be dramatic and then someone will say something and you’ll just want to laugh. This makes it really hard for the actors because were in these really dramatic scenes where your supposed to be crying but you just want to laugh.”
Some of the high-concept elements of the play – such as a “raining elevator” and characters Moore called “the stones” – make it very different from the U of R’s previous performance, String of Pearls.
“There are some crazy theatrical elements, like the costumes. And these characters called the Stones are a sort of element of the Greek chorus that appear in the underworld. They have this crazy white and black make-up and these huge wedding dresses. As well, there is one of the lost souls that wanders into the underworld has a metal dress that poufs out. All the design elements work together so wonderfully!”
The Stones’ poses are as close to any sort of musical aspect this play would present, Moore said. With carefully choreographed poses, they set the tone for certain scenes.
Eurydice is running from Feb. 16 – 19. Doors open at 7 p.m. with curtain call at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased during lunch hours at the Box Office or before the show, free for students and $15 for non-students.
