Presentation House Theatre is taking it outside for the company’s inaugural Summer Outdoor Theatre program, July 16 – 23. A timely tale of Robin Hood and his merry band take to the theatre’s grounds in an adaptation by Ontario’s The Lakeside Players that casts Robin Hood’s beloved characters in a fun and fresh new light. Together they tackle the chronic issues of injustice and inequality through laughter, music and adventure in a lighthearted summer theatre experience for all ages.
“The story of Robin Hood remains timeless because wealth inequality seems to be a timeless issue,” shares Jack Rennie, Robin Hood playwright, director, and co-founder of The Lakeside Players, “but the idea of a single righteous hero pulling a community to salvation no longer seems to fit. This adaptation of Robin Hood emphasizes the power of community to illicit change and perhaps knock down the Sheriff of Nottinghams in our own lives.”
Robin Hood was conceived and crafted by a seasoned artistic team including director Jack Rennie and composer Landon Doak, recipients of Dora Mavor Moore awards for their work on Bad Hats Theatre’s acclaimed production of Peter Pan. Rachel Forbes’ set and costume designs have been seen on stages across Canada, including this summer in Robin Hood, Harlem Duet at Bard on the Beach, Doctor’s Dilemma at the Shaw Festival, and Death and the King’s Horseman at the Stratford Festival.
This production of Robin Hood features local performers Nevada Banks, Bronwyn Churcher, and Brodie Nicholls. All have roots and ties in Vancouver, North Vancouver and Bowen Island. They appear alongside touring company members Andrew Cameron and Sean Jacklin.
“When we tour, It’s our company practice to create a cast of local performers and previous company members,” states Rennie. “We hope to make space for cross-pollination between our communities and interconnect our voices as Canadians.”
The Lakeside Players embody Robin Hood’s commitment to equal access for all in their dedication to creating accessible and affordable family-friendly experiences that bring a playful informality to parks, neighbourhoods, and communal spaces.
“The Lakeside Players revel in informality,” offers Rennie with a laugh. “Our primary concern is to delight our audiences and hopefully create a feeling of convivial togetherness.”
Robin Hood appears July 16, 17, 22 & 23, 2022 outdoors on the grounds of Presentation House Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at 604-990-3474 or online at tickets.phtheatre.org priced from $22 / $18 / $15. For further details visit PHTheatre.org.