The Hidden City by Scrumpy Theatre June 8-11, 2016. An interview with Julian Cervello.
Local theatre troupe Scrumpy Theatre produces their first original play–The Hidden City, based on an epic poem by Stanley K. Freiberg–June 8-11, 2016 at the Paul Phillips Hall (1923 Fernwood Road). Director Julian Cervello agreed to answer a few questions.
What sparked the creation of this show?
This play is the result of four Projects, previous to The Hidden City. The first was a recital called, Voices From The Four Directions. It was directed by now Producer Naomi Simpson, at St. Ann’s Acadamy, with an impressive cast of readers, including Iris McGregor Bannerman, and myself (in what felt to me like an ingénue position.) One of the selections was a poem called The Astronomer, which I thought at the time, would make an excellent audition monologue.
At the second recital, The Raptures of Distress, the next year at Wood Hall with an equally impressive cast of readers, I heard Iris read a poem entitled The Virgin of the Sun. I thought it would make a good audition monologue as well. I had not yet read the book. I picked that up for the first time during a third, more low key recital called Holes in the Sky, at New Horizons, James Bay. I opened the book in the middle, started reading, and that was when it sparked it for me, I mean that’s when I first envisioned The Hidden City as a full fledged play.
There was a fourth project: Puente/Skam/Snafu Dance Theatre’s Lieutenant Nun, which was set in the same time and place as the The Hidden City. I played Friar Carvajal, a Spanish Missionary and real historical character. I kept a copy of The Hidden City in my backpack during rehearsals, and would occasionally open it up and read a few lines while on break. Naomi played Isabel, the Mother Superior, and actor Keshia Palm played “the Incan.” Mercedes Bátiz Benét, costume designer for The Hidden City, co-directed Lieutenant Nun with Kathleen Greenfield, whose creative input has also been invaluable to us.
Can you comment on the challenges of taking an epic poem and translating it into a play?
The editing, and rehearsal process has been a free and joyful one. Stanley’s words are well chosen, and beautiful; I wanted to preserve that about the book. It is important not to gild the lily, or drown the text in stagecraft. That said, an epic poem needs an epic staging. It must be balanced, the words must carry the majority of the burden, and yet the aesthetic needs to match the writers far out imagination. It is an introspective, intellectual, surreal, and angry poem. Because this play is quite far out, it has been the best kind of challenge to help the creative team and cast along the same creative path that I have cut, but that is just the job as it should be. Stanley has been an active collaborator in this project, and it has been a great privilege to have his input in rehearsal. I want this production to please him, but I know I am accountable to a wider audience as well.
What do you hope to inspire in your audience?
The foundation of The Hidden City is Folklore, and folklore is for everybody. What we are aiming at is an Epic Audio Visual Journey through Time. The story is Mythical, the production elements Fantastical. Whether or not you have been to Peru, or are interested in the Incas, need not be a deciding factor.
Theatre is supposed to take us on unexpected journeys; and this will be one of those.
It is meticulously researched, and I hope the experts will appreciate our creative choices but certainly you do not need to be an expert to enjoy this play.
Who will be interested as a potential audience member? What would you say to entice someone to come?
I do not like the word “accessibility” as it is usually applied to theatre. I think it patronizes our patrons into expecting less of themselves, and of us. Scrumpy Theatre has always taken huge creative risks. This show is the biggest Scrumpy Production to date; I think we have risen admirably to our own challenge and that The Hidden City should be seen.
The Hidden City, based on an epic poem by Stanley K Freiberg
Scrumpy Theatre, directed by Julian Cervello
June 8-11 at 8pm
The Paul Phillips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Rd
Preview tickets (June 8th) – $10 advance
Regular tickets (June 9- 11th) – $18 advance
At door (June 9- 11th) – $20 (CASH ONLY)
Follow the journey of two hikers in the nineteen seventies as they discover the magical world of Peru and are possessed by the spirits of the Inca.
UPDATE :
We are very excited to welcome Mosqoy to participate in The Hidden City through facilitating a nightly talk back. They will be here with a display of Peruvian textiles in the lobby. Some textiles will be available for sale.
https://www.facebook.com/mosqoy/?fref=ts
STARRING:
Jacob Richmond (Ride the Cyclone)
Iris McGregor Bannerman (Uncle Vanya, My Fair Lady)
Michael Shewchuk (Scorched, The Pillowman)
Keshia Palm (Lieutenant Nun)
With an award winning team of designers (Mercedes Batiz Benet/Puente Theatre, Kathryn Popham/Erewhon Theatre and Grayson Walker/Hearse), Cervello promises a magical road trip adventure of visual and lyrical delight.
Tickets are available at http://www.eventbrite.ca/
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