NEWS Resurgence aims to keep it fresh The Montagues and the Capulets, two families driven by name and passion, share a long-bred hatred for one another. Enter Romeo with his sweet sorrows as he woos Juliet under the stars. The Resurgence Theatre Company hosts the 11th annual York Shakespeare Festival July 14 to August 23, featuring Romeo and Juliet, The Little Prince and Beware of the Falling Trees. The festival has become a significant cultural tradition in York Region, York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro said at this year’s performance lineup announcement while presenting a $22,000 grant from the Celebrate Ontario initiative to the theatre company. "You have the confidence of the government to move forward with credibility," she said to a full house of theatre supporters. "We recognize the value of this theatre. We want more people to come and appreciate what a jewel we have here." Last year, Resurgence hosted more than 6,000 visitors and participants during park performances of Twelfth Night and an adaptation of The Secret Garden. Funds from the Celebrate Ontario grant will be used to increase attendance by creating different tourism packages for visitors with the opportunity for an overnight stay in town to watch multiple performances. "We can’t all become actors," Ms Munro said. "But we can become the audience." Starting in October, Resurgence will venture out of the park and into the theatre with its first three-week fall tour, co-founder Anthony Leo said. "Things don’t stop at the end of the season," he said. "This year, we’re going all year round." The magic takes place under a tent along the shore of Fairy Lake. The festival started in 1999 as a two-week presentation in the park. Now, it’s a six-week professional theatre attracting actors from top theatre festivals from across the province, including the Shaw and Stratford festivals. "These are the best young actors in the country," said Lee Wilson, a co-founder of the company and director of Romeo and Juliet. "Almost half the cast is from the Stratford Festival. I stole them and brought them back to my home town. Stratford is envious of us here." Mr. Wilson aims to bring a young and fresh approach to the medieval court life by keeping the cast close to their true Shakespearean age. "This is the next generation of Canadian theatre artists," the Newmarket native said. "This is the first time they are leading the vision of the play." © 2009 York Region Media Group. All rights reserved. | ||
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