MUSIC, LOVE TRIANGLE ON THE RIVERBANK
Role and location make it a Twelfth Night to remember for cast members who get chance to shine
In the romantic comedy Twelfth Night, the music you’ll hear is bluegrass. Behind that, you might also hear a triangle — or, at least, a love triangle.
It’s an acute love triangle as Shakespeare imagines it. And it’s also a bit obtuse. Orsino loves Olivia. But Olivia falls for Cesario, who is actually Viola in disguise. But Viola loves Orsino.
Got that straight, or is it still a bit … scalene?
“It’s so much fun,” says Caitlin Vancoughnett, who plays Olivia. “It’s just such a great comedy for an ensemble, everybody’s got their own point where they can shine in the show.”
Olivia wasn’t really on her radar until she studied the play for auditions. Then she was won over. “It became really apparent that this is a great, great role. So I’m really, really thrilled to have the opportunity to play her, for sure.”
Directed by Will Brooks, this Twelfth Night is characterized by roots music.
“I think it meshes really well with the text,” says Vancoughnett. “The conceit is that we’re a group of bluegrass musicians who’ve come together to sing some songs and tell this story. We start as musicians at the beginning and we end as musicians.” This is Vancoughnett’s second season with the festival but the first since 2011. She feels more confident this time, more used to what it’s like preparing two shows at once with not much lead time.
“You’re under the gun a little bit, so you’ve got to bring some ideas and be able to try them and not be afraid because you don’t have time to be afraid to get in there and play.”
There’s a lot of experience in the company with Joshua Beaudry as Malvolio, Jamie Lee Shebelski playing Viola, Ken Allen as Sir Toby and Greg Ochitwa as Orsino. Carmen Grant (Fabian) and Kate Herriot (Feste) make their festival debuts.
“They’ve put together a lovely group of people for the cast. Everybody is so generous and so kind,” says Vancoughnett. “There’s a really nice mix of people that you know and that you’ve worked with for a really long time and have a really strong rapport with — and you get to meet a few awesome new people, too.”
A spot in the cast is highly sought after in Saskatoon acting circles. It’s not just two months of work but the riverbank location and relaxed vibe.
“The site is just so beautiful, they’ve done so much work making it this calming, lovely place to be,” Vancoughnett says.
“And the summer is wonderful. You come to see Twelfth Night, you’re going to have fun, so much fun. There’s so many laughs and the music is lovely and you can just hang out and have a good time. It’s casual, you’re not feeling like you’re going out to a stuffy evening at the theatre. It’s just a fun, relaxing way to spend a summer evening.”