The University of Lethbridge peeks into the future with Afterimage, Feb. 10-14 in the University Theatre.
Newfoundland playwright Robert Chafe based the 65 minute long production on a short story by Newfoundland poet/ novelist Michael Crumley.
“ It’s only been produced in Canada twice before,” said director Nicholas Hanson, who brought the play back home with him after spending
a year’s leave of absence in Toronto.
He noted there are a lot of special effects, smoke and “imagery” which make it a challenge to bring to the stage.
“Afterimage is a haunting tale about a family in Newfoundland and a mother who has a very special power,” Hansen succinctly summarized.
“And while seeing the future could be very exciting, on the other hand, what would you do if you saw something bad happen to your family and you couldn’t do anything to help them,” he added.
“ It’s going to be a really exciting audience experience,” he said.
Afterimage received the 2010 Governor’s General Award for Drama.
“A Newfoundland theatre company ( Artistic Fraud) produced it and took t to several cities,” Hansen observed.
“ It is challenging. There are a lot of special effects. But the good thing about being a university based company is we have the time and resources to experiment,” he said.
“ There are matches and explosions. It has been a great learning experience for the students,” Hanson said.
“ It’s a thrilling story. There are interesting characters. It’s a pretty wild show,” he said.
Fourth-year student Danielle Martens gets to play one of the more interesting characters — Lise who has the gift of being able to see into the future.
“It’s been interesting. The play spans 15 years, so she is young and hopeful at the beginning,” she said adding it has been fun to play the same character at different stages of her life as she comes to terms with her gift.
“She can see into the future, but this play is mostly about family about how they come together. It is a roller coaster. They may not necessarily get along,” she said.
“Through her fortune telling, she reveals their secrets,” she said adding she was immediately drawn to the script.
“This is definitely the most theatrical of all the productions I’ve been in, she said.
“ It’s definitely different than the others I’ve done, she said.
Carolyn Ruether agreed adding her character Connie offers different perspectives on the action.
“She’s on stage, but she is also steps out from herself. She is omniscient. She comments and narrates in places,” she said.
“ It’s a new experience. It a cool new, experimental project,” she said.
Michael Rolfe is excited about playing the photographer Leonard.
“ Audiences will be very much rewarded because the images we make are beautiful,” he said adding his character has many different dimensions.
“He’s a photographer. On the surface he is very charming, but inside there is something not quite right. Something is a bit off. He leaves a bad taste,” he said.
Ruether said audiences will enjoy the production. I think audiences will love how theatrical it is really a strong story about family, love and protecting your loved ones,” she said.
It has created some technical challenges,” said Rolfe, who likes the female characters in the eight member cast.
“ There are some really strong female characters. I feel that is lacking in a lot of theatre,” he said.
“ The story parts which stress the importance of motherhood,” he said.
Afterimage takes place Feb. 10-14 in the University Theatre.
Tickets for Afterimage are $18 regular; $13 senior/alumni; $12 student. Available online at ulethbridge.ca/tickets, by phone (403-329-2616) or at the box office Monday-Friday 12:30-3:30 and one hour before ticketed performances.
