Maple Ridge Theater Group Serves As You Like It For This Summer’s Bard – Maple Ridge News

Bard on the Bandstand is back this year, with one of William Shakespeare’s most hilarious romantic comedies.

Emerald Pig Society organizes As you like it – but set in a 1920s Speakeasy as well as the Forest of Arden.

“It’s good to be back with Bard this year,” exclaimed Simon Challenger, president of the Emerald Pig Society.

He noted that even though the company managed to organize a small review show last September, it was nice to be back with a full-scale production this year – the same production they intended to do. set up in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

And, he said, surprisingly, some of their original cast members were able to stay with the show this year.

The story follows the fate of Orlando, the youngest son of the recently deceased Sir Roland de Boys, who is treated harshly by his older brother. And also Rosalind, the Duke Senior’s daughter, who was recently deposed by her brother Duke Frederick, as head of court.

Rosalind and Orlando fall in love.

However, soon after, Rosalind is banished by the new Duke and seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden. She disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede.

Orlando is also forced to flee into the forest after learning of his brother’s murderous plot against him.

Ganymede discovers Orlando’s writings addressed to Rosalind in the forest and when the couple reunite, Ganymede offers Orlando to cure him of his love for Rosalind by asking Orlando to woo Ganymede himself, as if he were Rosalind – even though Ganymede is really Rosalind.

“I have to say that my favorite scenes are the interactions between Rosalind/Ganymede and Orlando. They’re so much fun,” said production manager Challenger.

“She’s going to cure him of love, that’s what she’s going to do, and he easily ends up accepting because he convinces him that he needs to be cured,” laughs Challenger.

The production will include live music performed by Peter Tam and his quartet.

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“And, of course, what would a show with 20s music be without 20s dance, including the Charleston,” Challenger noted.

Longtime Emerald Pig actor Tyler Boe will play the role of Orlando. Boe started with Emerald Pig in 2013 as Edmund in their production of the CS Lewis classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Juliet Logan stars as Ganymede, Megan Kimoto as Touchstone, Eric Scribner as Corin, and Scott Thomas Anderson as Oliver.

For the most part, Challenger said, the company was able to pick up where it left off before the pandemic. The City of Maple Ridge went out of their way to make sure they could get rehearsal space, and the City of Pitt Meadows made sure Spirit Square was available to them.

Local businesses also lent their support, he said, by donating gifts for their raffle basket.

Tickets will be sold this Canada Day at the Emerald Pig Society tent at Memorial Peace Park, Haney Farmers Market and at all shows.

The draw will take place on the final night at the Maple Ridge Bandstand.

The company will also collect non-perishable food items and money to donate to the Friends In Need food bank.

There will be soft drinks, chips and candies available for purchase, but, Challenger said, people are welcome to bring their own picnic.

A limited number of seats will be available at each performance, but people can also bring their own chairs and blankets.

The pre-show featuring Peter Tam and his band will begin at 6:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m. the show will begin.

Emerald Pig Society production As you like it by William Shakespeare runs July 14-16 at Pitt Meadows Spirit Square and July 21-23 at the Memorial Peace Park Bandstand in Maple Ridge.

Free entry.