By all accounts “Mary’s Wedding” is a “pretty play.”
But just because it was written by Calgary playwright Stephen Massicotte who wrote the hilarious comedy “The Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook,” (which ran at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod last summer) don’t expect a lot of laughs.
“There are some funny moments, but it is definitely more dramatic and serious,” described director Taylor Fornwald, a third year drama/ education major at the University of Lethbridge.
The two actor production is the last presentation of TheatreXra’s season,which runs Thursday, Feb. 28-Saturday, March 2 in the David Spinks Theatre.
“It’s a love story that takes place during the First World War, but it all takes place in Mary’s dreams. It’s a love story as she pictures it,” Fornwald continued.
“I read it and really fell in love with it. It is so pretty,” she added.
“It’s about young love, which is something I can relate to and I think a lot of people will relate to,” she added. Though the play takes place on a farm, it is written soit could be anywhere in Southern Alberta.
The two actors are enjoying their roles and finding some of themselves in the characters.
“He (Charlie) is just a good hearted, fun loving farm kid,” said Steve Allen of his character Charlie.
“He has good intentions but sometimes bites off more than he can chew,” he continued.
“And he’s afraid of thunderstorms and so am I, so that worked out all right,” he laughed.
“We’re pretty close. We’re both nice guys. But I grew up in the city,” he said.
Carolyn Ruether is enjoying her character of Mary, though show also plays an army sergeant Flowers.
“ The entire play is in her dream. It’s a mixture of her memories and a mix of what she wishes happened,” Ruether said.
“She’s an English girl who was raised in a really proper home. But she’s also a free spirit who loves poetry and literature and wants to live a life like the people she reads about,” she observed.
“ We‘re pretty different. Her parents are more strict. I’m a bit of a dreamer, but not as much as her. But I definitely love thunderstorms and so does she, so that worked out well,” Ruether chuckled adding she was immediately drawn to the script as soon as she read it.
“I really like history, especially First World War history. And it really is prettily written,” she added.
Allen is excited about playing his first dramatic role and seeing how the audience reacts to it.
“It really is a pretty play. I usually play more comedic roles, so, it is really fun to play a part that doesn’t rely on the audience laughing,” Allen said.
“ The play has such a small cast and crew, it’s just been us, so I’m looking forward to seeing how other people are affected by the work,” Ruether said.
“It’s been a really fun process,” Fornwald summarized.
“Everybody has worked hard on it. I just want to get other people’s reaction to it,” she said.
“But it’s going to be amazing,” she enthused.
“Mary’s Wedding” runs at 8 p.m. each night, Feb. 28-March 2 plus a 2 p.m.matinee on March 2.
