Royalty in Westman
- Details
- Published on Saturday, March 12, 2016
By Courtney Newton
Publicity
Loosely based on The Princess and the Pea fairy tale, Strathclair Drama Club’s upcoming production of Once Upon a Mattress is sure to tickle your funny bone and entertain both the young and young at heart! This year’s cast of 36 is one of the smaller ones in recent memory, but they are making up for their size in talent and enthusiasm. Andrea Playter of Minnedosa has taken on the role of Queen Aggravian, an overbearing and controlling woman in search of a suitable bride for her son, Prince Dauntless. Her husband King Sextimus, played by Cardale’s Terry Radcliffe, is a man of few words, but if you watch closely you will understand what he is trying to get across. Their simple-minded son Prince Dauntless, played by Josh Butler of Minnedosa, desperately wants to get married; the queen has decreed no one in the kingdom may marry until her son does.
Dauntless’ best friend Sir Harry, portrayed by Dylan Woodcock of Minnedosa, is a macho, slightly egotistical, brave, romantic knight who decides to leave the kingdom to search for a princess. He finds Winnifred the Woebegone, portrayed by Oak River resident Erin Brown, who becomes one of the many young women the queen tests to see if she is fit to marry Dauntless. She is an independent and spirited girl with a fondness for water. Sir Harry’s sweetheart Lady Larkin (Brittany MacDonald of Shoal Lake) is asweet, energetic girl who enjoys long walks on the greensward, picnics and watching the sun go down.
Eric Menzies’ character, the Jester, acts as King Sextimus’ interpreter and he has energy to spare! He and Minstrel, brought to life by Rivers resident Stan Runions, work together to foil the queen’s plans. Minstrel also acts as the narrator of the story, and has an eye for Lady Larken.
What fairy tale would be complete without a little magic? Cardale’s Connor Radcliffe plays Wizard, an egotistical performer whose duties now include acting as a punching bag and acting as a scapegoat.
Rounding out this talented cast are Beccy Ardiel-Voth, Daniel Kang, Karen Gamey-Koscielny, Emma-Jean Koscielny, Kennedy Moffat, Dan Voth, Lacey and Lindsay Winstone from Strathclair, Isobel Basso, Tricia Hunter, Donalea McKay, Owen Kominko and Sam Reister of Shoal Lake, Mitch Bukarz, James Comrie, Mary Dalton and Louise McInnes of Minnedosa, Kerry Fast, Dana Outhwaite, Rebecca Porteous and Joanna Tolton of Brandon, Kelsey and Peppe Michaudville of Hamiota, along with Sheila Runions from Rivers, Onanole’s Abbey Kingdon, Virden’s Murray Hagyard and Portage la Prairie’s Greg Kirk.
At the helm of the production is director Janice Dalton of Minnedosa; music director is Dylan Woodcock, producer is Sheila Runions and choreographers are Brittany MacDonald and Dana Outhwaite. Once Upon a Mattress will run April 18-23 at Strathclair’s Bend Theatre.
