Calgary’s Shakespeare Company to open two shows at Vertigo Theatre’s Studio

Double, double, toil and trouble — Calgary’s Shakespeare Company is opening two shows, both alike in dignity, at Vertigo Theatre’s Studio this weekend.

Not only is it an opportunity to see Shakespeare as it was intended: live, but also to watch actors rise to a challenge. Both shows feature the same actors playing many roles.

“The Comedy of Errors” opens Friday, Sept 27, and “Twelfth Night” opens on Saturday, Sept. 28. While Calgarians can see one or the other, seeing both is the recommended way to experience what is called “repertory theatre,” or “performing rep.”

It’s not something Calgary’s Shakespeare Company has done before, and is rare in the city, but new artistic producer Richard Beaune has much experience working with repertory.

Beane says the system allows the shows to bounce off of each other in interesting ways and celebrate the magic of an actor’s ability to transform. There are eight actors in total, splitting 30-plus parts between the two shows. 

Beaune says producing both shows at the same time increases the degree of difficulty for the actors, forcing them to work at the highest level, and helps the audience build a familiarity with the company.

He adds although the company has been working to produce two shows, the rehearsal time is not doubled.

Beaune calls it finding efficiencies.

“Rehearsing one play actually helps you rehearse the second play at the same time in strange ways, so your brain kind of gets into the system, the rhythm… it helps you to do both,” he explained.

The repertory system can be a challenge even for seasoned performers, but the scheduling of the shows has been arranged to make it as easy as possible for audiences to see both, and buying a ticket to one will get you a discount for the other.

“The Comedy of Errors” and “Twelfth Night” have similarities — both stories begin with a storm at sea, causing sets of twins to be separated.

There are some thematic elements and nearly parallel scenes, butut Shakespeare can’t be accused of a copy and paste. “Twelfth Night” is often regarded to have more depth, and “The Comedy of Errors” is known as more of a straight, silly comedy.

Beaune stepped in as artistic producer in February when Haysam Kadri moved to the role of artistic director at Alberta Theatre Projects (ATP). This is his first fully programmed season in Calgary.

He says his impression of the Calgary Theatre Community so far is that it is a place where artists can try many disciplines without penalty. Beaune says out east, it’s more uncommon for one person to act, direct, produce, and design all in the same season, and it’s refreshing to see that is the norm in Calgary.

“You do one thing and that inspires you to be better at the other thing, I have always believed that,” he said.

For more information, visit shakespearecompany.com