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BԪַA real experienceBԪַ: Royal Bay secondary returns to the stage with Pippin

Musical marks the first in-person performance at the school since pandemic started
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Grade 12 student Taryn Mitchell plays the Leading Player in Royal Bay secondaryBԪַs upcoming performances of Pippin. The musical marks the return of live, in-person performances to the schoolBԪַs Teechamitsa Theatre after the pandemic shut the doors to the public. (Justin Samanski-Langille/BԪַ Staff)

Royal Bay secondary in Colwood is gearing up for the return of live theatre to the schoolBԪַs Teechamitsa Theatre with their performances of the musical Pippin.

The show, which tells the story of a young prince trying to find his extraordinary life purpose through a play within a play, will be the first performance with an audience the school has put on since the start of the pandemic in 2020. While the school has been able to organize some virtual and pre-recorded performances, the students starring in Pippin said there simply is no comparison.

BԪַIt means everything to me,BԪַ said Grade 12 student Taryn Mitchell, who performs the role of the Leading Player. BԪַI have been performing since I was two, and it is my favourite place in the world to be. Just to be back with an audience, I am very excited for this to actually happen.BԪַ

READ MORE: Choral Evolution bringing Mozart and Metallica to West Shore

Grade 12 student Remy Lassner, playing Charlemagne, is excited about experiencing his first-ever theatre performance in front of an audience. But while public health restrictions have lessened enough to allow the show to go on, it isnBԪַt all business as usual for the cast and crew.

Actors will wear masks throughout the performance, props and microphones are not allowed to be shared and there remains the ever-present possibility that rules could suddenly tighten again, forcing the shows to be cancelled. But the students in the cast and crew are determined to push through the challenges.

BԪַIt has definitely been a lot of hard work and long hours preparing for this show, but it is worth every second of it for that feeling of performing live,BԪַ Lassner said.

As for what the audience can expect from Pippin BԪַ the original Bob Fosse-directed production made its Broadway debut in 1972 BԪַ Lassner said it is sure to be a BԪַreal experience.BԪַ

BԪַItBԪַs out there in a way that will bring the audience in, but it may also confuse them at the same time,BԪַ Mitchell added. BԪַExpect some wild makeup and some wild acting.BԪַ

Being able to welcome the community into its theatre once again is huge for the school, said music director Karen Snowsell, even if shows will be restricted to 50 per cent audience capacity.

BԪַThe actors feed off of the energy of the crowd, and the laughter and everything else that comes with it,BԪַ she said. BԪַI think we will get quite a good audience because people are a bit starving for live entertainment.BԪַ

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 9, 10 and 11 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. A 2 p.m. matinee (doors at 1:30) is set for Saturday, March 12.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors and $6 for Sooke School District 62 students and RBSS theatre alumni. Find them online at . The receipt generated in the transaction will serve as the ticket.

READ MORE: University of VictoriaBԪַs The Waste Land lays bare Eliot poem in pandemic parallel



justin.samanski-langille@goldstreamgazette.com

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Justin Samanski-Langille

About the Author: Justin Samanski-Langille

I moved coast-to-coast to discover and share the stories of the West Shore, joining Black Press in 2021 after four years as a reporter in New Brunswick.
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