This week on Great Arts at Eastern, Jeff Gentry talks with Patrick McCreary on the upcoming production of Ken Ludwig's play Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood. Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood will be staged on the Eastern New Mexico University Campus from November 7th thru the 10th.
"Ken Ludwig is a Multiple award-winning, on both sides of the ocean, play right, and he has written for television, for movies, plays, so on like that. And it is the story of Robin Hood dating back to the 12th century. Which has this basis in history, but it's sort of a contemporary take (on it). So, there is a lot of audience interaction. And Friar Tuck is like the narrator of the play. So, he frequently breaks out of character and even moves through the audience. Because there is a runway that goes right out into the audience. Where there is a lot of swordplay, quarter-staff play, and a lot of interaction with the audience. Including the 600 school children that we're going to have during the day next Monday." Which is a special performance for them: "Which are two special assemblies That were busing Them in for."
Along with Friar Tuck, the other legendary characters that will be seen in the play. There will be "Maid Marian, Robin Hood, Little John, and a wonderful set by our new technical director Erin Wegleitner and great lighting. It's going to be a real spectacle. Unlike anything that people have probably have ever seen. Because to say that there is a lot of stage combat. And I am teaching a stage combat class this semester, so it dovetails very nicely."
With Sherwood being an origin story of sorts with Robin Hood, "There are lessons learned by somebody being naïve and egotistical Who has a growth curve. Robin Hood throughout the play and he realizes that he has responsibilities to humanity. And this play was custom written for the old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, six years ago. So we're really delighted to bring it to New Mexico."
Because of the large cast that has 12 Eastern New Mexico University students as well as seven community members. "We're trying to reach out in every way, like our high school tours of A place that we have been doing. Performing outside here at the campus, which we have done recently, and our summer academy, which brings people from over the region. Now we're also trying to include people in our productions as much as we can. Wherever the interest exists."
Patrick talks about the swordplay during this production and the precautions that they took for it. "The swordplay is on a runway, so there will be above the head of the audience, and safety is always critical and number one. But its. Great excitement, the audience of all ages will be welcomed and enjoy it together. "
What drew the students to this production was: "The department of theater and digital film making, there is a lot of collaboration between those disciplines. So, many of the leads are actually digital filmmakers. Still, it helps to really round them out even if they're thinking more in technical or staff terms of being a filmmaker, writer, Etc. "Those skills, "crossover " as they act in all these films, performing these stage productions. The filmmakers' help in production. "Like in our recent Fear Fest that took place last week. - What we are trying to do in the department is to give the students is a great variety. (Whether it) Be exposure to various literature (styles) and periods. Things that they can put on their resume. And now they'll be able to put stage combat into it as well. "
All the great arts at Eastern are found at <enmu.edu/fineartsevents> You can learn more about this program at KENW.org
Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
beginning Thursday, November 7th through 10th
University Theatre Center in Portales, New Mexico.
General admission is $10. On Thursday-through-Saturday
Curtain rises at 7:00 pm, and the Sunday Matinee is at 2 pm