October 11, 2018, Langley, BC: Trinity Western University Theatre Department in the School of the Arts, Media + Culture proudly presents The Game of Love and Chance, October 23 to November 3, a new spin on a timeless story that has delighted audiences for centuries. Tickets are available to purchase online or by phone. Contact the box office at 604.513.2188 for tickets and group sales inquiries. Professional production photos available below.
The play whisks audiences into the world of French noble society in the 1730s and shows what happens when romantic love and mistaken identity intertwine. It is about young people falling in love and all the joy and suffering that come with that, explains Director Kate Muchmore Woo.
“Despite its obvious comedic nature, this play offers some depth in examining how we all tend to wear masks in life. The characters in the show are all hiding something about themselves from the other characters, until they finally remove their ‘masks’ and show who they truly are and what they know. This theme of masks makes for a ridiculous, comedic play, but also demonstrates truth that is rooted in reality,” says fourth-year Theatre student Haley James who plays Silvia.
The play challenges the social norm of the 18th century that servants are uninteresting; plus, it delivers a message that true love will always win even when tested against the pressures of society, explains Andrew Dyck, a second-year Education student who plays Dorante.
According to Dyck, although the play dates back nearly 300 years, it remains relevant in 2018. “Today, social media is used a great deal in relationships. In the same way that disguises are used to mask identity in this play, social media can be used to hide someone’s true identity. Sometimes the real person lies behind what we see right in front of us,” he explains.
“As an artist, I love being able to work on shows that bring people joy. This show is fun, upbeat and is sure to leave audiences laughing—my hope is that audiences will leave feeling more uplifted and feeling more joyful after watching this play,” says James.
The script is based on an English translation of de Marivaux’s play developed by the cast and crew who have, for this production, combined the original story with new elements in music, set and costumes.
“Audiences can expect sumptuous costumes, fun lighting and even some pantomime pieces woven into the fabric of the show to pay homage to the Commedia dell’arte theatre style of its day. There is definitely a lot of fun to be had!” says Muchmore Woo.
THE GAME OF LOVE AND CHANCE
October 23 - November 3, 2018
Written by Pierre Carlet de Marivaux
Directed by: Kate Muchmore Woo, DepartmentChair & Assistant Professor of Theatre
Freedom Hall, Robert N. Thompson Building
Trinity Western University
22500 University Drive, Langley, BC
THE CAST:
Silvia Hayley James (Lake Forest Park, WA)
Lisette Alexandria Bay (Langley, BC)
Dorante Andrew Dyck (Abbotsford, BC)
Arlequin Connor Thiessen (Calgary, AB)
Madame Orgonia Jennifer Mamchur (Langley/Walnut Grove, BC)
Mario Emmett Hanly (Abbotsford, BC)
SYNOPSIS
Set in France in the 1730s, the play opens in the Orgonia family house in Paris. Silvia Orgonia is engaged to marry Dorante, a man she has never met. On paper they are a perfect match, but each wants to be sure the other is worthy of marriage. Silvia devises a plan to trade places with her servant Lisette, so she can observe Dorante’s true character. Unbeknownst to her, Dorante has the same idea and swaps places with his valet Arlequin. Silvia’s father learns of the swapped identities and chooses not to reveal the secret. He instead sees this as an opportunity to play the game of love and chance, allowing the two to fall in love in spite of themselves. Dorante and Silvia meet dressed as servants, and their servants Lisette and Arlequin meet dressed as upper-class nobility. Sparks of romance ignite, and both couples fall in love, despite believing the other person is of a different social standing. Ultimately all of their disguises are relinquished, and the characters realize they have in fact fallen in love with their intended match.
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION PHOTOS:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2efglr3lr3z0zmt/AAD2kX6LpviIStzosN26zQx5a?dl=0
Trinity Western University’s line up of theatre for the 2018-2019 season brings to stage three productions to that showcase the burgeoning talent at the University’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture. Seasons tickets for all three TWU plays this season are available now until October 29 at www.twu.ca/season-tickets.
For more information:
Linda Munro
Trinity Western University
t: 778-839-9649
e: media@twu.ca