For their annual spring theatrical production the students at John Paul II Collegiate are bringing forth a tale of ancient Persia.
“Scheherazade” is an unconventional story of love and heartache with many smaller morality tales intertwined. The students at John Paul II Collegiate will bring the tale to stage April 5 and 6 at the Okotoks school.
It is an intended departure from previous plays at the school explained one of the show’s directors, Stacey MacNeil.
“We just wanted to do something different because we generally do fairy tales and stuff like that,” she said. “We wanted to do this one because it has lot of parables and lessons within it.”
The story is set within the palace and streets of an ancient Persian city. The king has developed the nasty habit of marrying many women and beheading each one the day after their wedding night.
The title heroine, Scheherazade, formulates a plan once she becomes engaged to the king to ensure her survival. She tells him a compelling tale one evening but does not end it.
The narcissistic ruler is forced to postpone her execution in order to hear the end of the story. She continues the practice of keeping the king waiting for a conclusion that never comes forming the foundation of the legend of 1,001 Arabian nights.
In the John Paul II production of the play Grade 9 student Jacqui Halase has landed the part of Scheherazade. This is the second year in a row she has scored the title role in a school production having portrayed Alice in “Alice in Wonderland” last spring.
MacNeil said the experienced actress has really stepped forward and set a positive tone for others to follow during rehearsals.
“She’s been absolutely amazing,” the teacher said. “She keeps everybody on track and offers tips and suggestions to us as directors to how she sees the show playing out. She’s an excellent leader and an excellent role model in every sense of the word.”
The production features students from Grades 7, 8 and 9 pitching in to not only get all the scenes down but to prepare the necessary wardrobe as well.
“The show is very Arabian and we’ve done the costuming ourselves,” she said. “We’ve had lots of students with parents who have been on trips to Dubai and the Middle East who have been able to bring in traditional costumes as well.”
Adding the cinematic feel of this production of “Scheherazade” will be a live orchestral soundtrack supplied by student band members under the direction of music teacher Paul Stelter.
Daytime performances of the show will be held April 5 for the benefit of John Paul II students not in the production. The sole public performance of “Scheherazade” will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6. Tickets for this humourous family friendly show are $5 each and available in advance at the school office, 53 Cimarron Drive in Okotoks.
