Classic horror comes to CBU
‘Night of the Living Dead’ opens 48th Season of Plays
“Night of the Living Dead” will open this year’s 48th Season of Plays at Cape Breton University’s Boardmore Playhouse, Oct. 23-28.
The Dead Puppets Society will stage the classic horror story that sees a group of strangers barricaded in a farmhouse while the dead outside feast on human flesh.
“Night of the Living Dead” has been around for 50 years and has been adapted by director James F.W. Thompson to be more interactive, just in time for Halloween.
“In a horrifying world that spills off the stage, ‘Night of the Living Dead’ will have audiences questioning who among them is living and who is dead,” said Thompson.
“Night of the Living Dead” will run Oct. 23-27 at 7 p.m. and on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.
Todd Hiscock will direct Christopher Sergel’s adaption of “The Outsiders” which will be staged at the Boardmore Nov. 26-30 at 10 a.m., Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.
The play is being staged for middle and high school students and Hiscock says he’s
looking forward to the production.
“Theatre in Education continues to be an important part of the Boardmore Theatre’s yearly offerings,” said Hiscock. “Boardmore Theatre has consistently produced relevant and high-quality productions for visiting Cape Breton students.”
Rod Nicholls will direct “Machinal,” written by Sophie Treadwell when it comes to the Boardmore stage in February. Showtimes are Feb. 12-17 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
The play is about a young woman trapped in an automated materialistic society that conspires to prevent her own voice from being heard.
Nicholls says he wants the production to be “a stylish, entertaining and deeply moving theatrical Valentine’s gift for thinking adults.”
The final play is “Kluskap Tales” which runs from April 29 to May 5. Directed by Wayne McKay, it is a play for children of all ages based on the four legends of the Kluskap.
The production contains Mi’kmaw story, song and dance and teaches children lessons of respect for the community, elders and the natural world.
It will run April 29 to May 3 at 10 a.m., May 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and May 5 at 2 p.m.
The Elizabeth Boardmore One Act Play Festival will take place March 7-10 and new play development will again be the focus.
So far, this festival has produced close to 250 original plays, many written by CBU students.
And the Youth Theatre Festival occurs April 8-14.
This festival will see local drama schools and community theatre groups take to the Boardmore stage to perform in a series of scripted and original productions — 15 plays will occur over the seven-day festival.
Dinner (at Flavor 19) and theatre season packages are available at a price of $75 for the entire Season of Plays if purchased by Oct. 28.
The CBU Boardmore Playhouse box office is open Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m. during the week of the performance and one hour before each show.
For more information about tickets and a full list of this year’s productions, visit www. cbu.ca/boardmore.