Hudson Shakespare returns with
'King John'
Text of article:
The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street, presents the Hudson Shakespeare Company with the second offering of its 2008 "Shakespeare in the Parks" festival with King John on Saturday, July 19 at 2p.m. The drama will be performed at the library's outdoor amphitheater, is free and open to the public.
Set in the early 12th century, King John (James Pravaselis), the brother of the late Richard the Lion-Hearted, mounts a force against his nephew, the 12-year-old Prince Arthur (Kindel Ingham), the rightful heir to the throne. Both John and Arthur are driven by their powerful mothers. Eleanor of Aquataine (Michelle Robinson) and Lady Constance (Tzena Nicole) respectively. Personal and family grudges translate into political alliances and famous battles which are all observed and sarcastically commented on by Richard the Bastard (Bjorn Pederson), the illegitimate son of Richard the Lion-Hearted.
The Bastard, both in personality and birth, serves as the audience guide, narrating the fickly political alliances and "glorious" military engagements as they change at the drop of a hat. Comical political grandstanding, convenient public policy changes, dubious military engagements, and behind the scenes tragedies resonate with modern headlines as much they did in both Shakespeare's and King John's day.
Hudson Shakespeare Company was formed in 1992 and tours with outdoor Shakespare and contemporary plays for schools, libraries, and other venues. The company just finished a production of a beach-themed Twelfth Night last month at the library and will conclude with an all-female Julius Caesar on Aug 23.
King John will be performed in the Stratford Library's amphitheater located in the rear of the agency on July 19 beginning at 2p.m. Patrons should bring a lawn chair or blanket to spread. In the even of rain, the play will be presented in the library's air-conditioned Lovell Room.
For more information, cal the Stratford Library Public Relations and Programming Office at 203-385-4162 or visit www.stratfordlibrary.org
