Welcome to the preview performance of Flavio, the Fake Magician. Our goal in having you see the show in advance of the 12th Night Performance is to give the actors a chance to perform in front of an actual audience (rather than each other), and to find out where the audience will react to lines (which will affect how they react to the audience).
A couple of notes about casting - two of the actors aren't here due to the holidays, so Aldith Angharad St. George (Anne's understudy) is reading the part of Flaminia, and Hirsch will be filling in for Kæll of the Broken Tower (as "Policeman 1"). This may cause a few bits to not be as smooth as they might be otherwise.
And, for the First time ever, with the Golden Stag Players, Special FX: SETS!!! With paint on them, and everything! (This is only the second time we've worked with these sets. This may mean a few minor rough spots there as well. We hope not, but you never know.) [Ok, we did do another play with sets, but they were really cheesy, and we didn't keep 'em!]
As you will undoubtedly notice, the audience is a bit close to the action - don't worry, at 12th Night that won't be a problem, and we promise that no one will fall on any of the audience members ... Those of you among the preview audience with hearing aides need not be alarmed!
Synopsis:
In this frivolous romp in Renaissance Italy, we see a tale of romance, of trickery, and of mayhem - all in the cause
of true love. You will see a young lady (Joanna Melissa Ronsivalle) who has several men in love with her - the
problem is, she's already married! Her husband (played by the new-to-the-Golden-Stag-Players Robyn MacClaren)
is the son of one of these suitors (Dr. Gratiano, played by the also Golden Stag freshman, Teresa le Marchant). In
addition, Dr. Gratiano is rivals with Pantalone, his neighbor (Seamus Padraig O'Baiogheallain mi Narach). But the
intrigue doesn't stop there - that would be too simple! We have the daughter of Gratiano, Isabella (played by Rose
de Le Mans), who has three young men (Golden Stag freshmen Geoffrey of Kirkwood and Iricus le Ferur, as Cinthio
and Oratio; and Tarik ibn Jamaladdin as Capitano Spavento) in love with her as well. And Pantalone's daughter has
her eye on the Captain. Even more fun is the final participant in this love weirdness, Flavio (the vivacious Juan
Santiago), who is in love with Pantalone's daughter. The tricks fly as Flavio, pretending to be a magician, tries to
get everyone out of the way so he can court Flaminia.
The Script - What We Did, and Why
We found (well, Rose did) a book containing 50 Commedia scenarios. We took one that sounded like fun and wrote
a script. The big question is: why? Well, you need to understand period Commedia. It was improvisational theatre,
performed by professional actors. In many cases, an actor portrayed the same character for most of his/her life. The
actors in the Golden Stag players while good, are amateurs, and don't have the time necessary to dedicate to
perfecting a Commedia character well enough to improvise a scenario in the way it was done in period. As anyone
who has ever taken acting classes or worked in the theatre knows, improvisational theatre is the most difficult form.
So, we took a scenario and wrote the script. We think we did a pretty good job ... (But, you're here to let us know!)
About the Golden Stag Players
This versatile acting troupe has been around for over six years (longer than many SCA households), and have
performed a wide-range of plays, from Goldwyn of Britain's "Our Kind" plays, to Goldwyn of Britain's
"Arlecchino" plays, to some period scripts, as well as some original works (Peermalion). In these six years, the
players have performed over a dozen shows, most of them well received (except for the ones that nobody was at).
The Golden Stag Players veterans include: The Lunt and Fontanne of the SCA (or maybe the Sonny and Cher of Darkwood) , Juan Santiago and Rose de Le Mans; the spunky and prolix Anne of Ockham; the vague, yet matted, Seamus Padraig O'Baiogheallain mi Narach; and in his first adult starring role, Wulfric of Creigull, beloved by dozens as the likely lad in Peermalion; the stunning Joanna Melissa Ronsivalle, who gives fresh meaning to the phrase "magnificent obsession"; an old (but really young-looking) favorite, Tarik ibn Jamaladdin; the tall, but handsome Kæll of the Broken Tower; the not as tall, but just as funny Thorvald; and the irrepressible Charles Ravenstone (the Bonefinder) as the Beaver.
Joining the Golden Stag Players for the first time are: Teresa le Marchant, an experienced Thespian from those ... something or others in ... (what is the name of that group? oh, never mind), performing a male role in a strange twist of period theatrical practice; the tousled and imposing Robyn McClaren; the boyish young Klingon Iricus le Ferur; and the always loveable Geoffrey of Kirkwood.
This production is also ably stage managed by Michael of Worcester, last seen on stage in Peermalion as the plucky "Laurel 2".
Costuming and set design/production has been handled by the players themselves, with assistance by Aldith "It's only two weeks before 12th Night, there's plenty of time!" Angharad St. George.
The play was directed by Hirsch "The play looks good, but memorize your lines!" von Henford.
After the Performance
Please talk to us. Let us know what you thought. What worked? What didn't? Talk to the actors, idolize them (they
love that)! We really do want input from you!