Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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FEBRUARY 3-9, 2016 UCW 19 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM This season the Gilbert Theater presents both Titus Andronicus, a Shakespeare play, and Hedda Gabler, written by Henrik Ibsen. Both classic plays are challenging to produce in themselves, but making this season even more exceptional, the Gilbert Theater will present both at once. Robyne Parrish, the Artistic Director of the theater, describes the experience by saying, "Two times the work! In every way. Two casts, directors, designers, sets, lighting plots, costume designers, etc. We still utilize the same space, both rehearsal and playing and have the same resources." It may be tempting for many to shy away from such strong characters and occasionally gritty subjects, but at the Gilbert Theater fearlessness creates an amazing experience for both the performers and the audience members. "It is important as artists to take chances and not shy away from the hard stuff. This creates challenges for the artist and fuels them to continue their work. It is just as important to open one's mind to new experiences and stories as audience members. I often go to plays that I know nothing about - I love the surprise," Parrish explained. "It is invigorating and more often than not I learn something amazing and new. No play or subject matter or type of material has ever swallowed me whole and I always come away with a new layer of me. Theater is magic but you have to make the magic happen from all sides. The artist has to make the production and the audience has to see it. Together we keep the fire going. " In addition to the challenge of producing two classic productions at once both Hedda Gabler and Titus Andronicus focus on very emotionally charged subject matter with themes of love, revenge and death. These deep emotions are precisely why it is so important for these classics to be presented to the community. These difficult themes are universal and timeless, which is what makes these plays classics. "I think we are all passionate … Do we necessarily run through the streets with passion and fury? Not most of us. But a play is an elevated state of being. We strive for realism in film and TV but often, and especially in a play like this where the language and circumstances are heightened, we go to another place of being where everything is magnified. It is a breath of fresh air to watch such a play and imagine oneself having the courage and freedom to act in the same way about something they love - be it children, home, family, work or otherwise," Parrish said. True to form, the Gilbert Theater puts a fresh and unique interpretation on these classic tales. Hedda Gabler was adapted by Preston Lane the artistic director of Triad Stage, a North Carolina theater. Lane has experience adapting classic tales, and Parrish expresses excitement in exploring this new telling of it. Titus Andronicus is also taking on a new interpretation. "You may find less actual blood and gore in our Titus and more smirks as our director is approaching this performance in a way that may just appeal to the Monty Python fans out there. You may also find more symbolic design elements to represent blood and battle rather than your everyday stage blood and body parts. The title character alone is a popular one. Sir Anthony Hopkins played it in a recent film. Jeremy Fiebig will be playing the role in our production. Jeremy played Macbeth in our last Shakespeare offering of the same name," Parrish says. Hedda Gabler and Titus Andronicus will be running from Feb. 5 through Feb. 28. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.gilberttheater.com or call 910.678.7186. The Gilbert Theater is located at 116 Green St. ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200 Gilbert Theater Presents Titus Andronicus and Hedda Gabler by ERINN CRIDER 910-424-7660 910-424-7660 www.diamondtrailersales.com Est. 2011 • Elite dealer for Forest River Trailers as well as other brands like dump, enclosed, pull behind and many more. • We also have trailer tires available for your trailer needs. • As a full service dealer we have over 50 trailer units for sale in various sizes, colors and options for any of your hauling needs.