DERBY LINE — Memphremagog Community Theatre will make its performance debut with a double bill of Shakespeare-inspired plays at the Haskell Opera House on Aug. 14, 15 and 16.
The evening, titled “A Night of Shakespeare in Two Acts,” opens with “Much Ado About Will,” a celebration of Shakespeare’s words conceived and compiled by Robert Johanson.
The production features some of the playwright’s best-known comic scenes and characters, including the mechanicals from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Malvolio from “Twelfth Night.”
The second act presents “Romeo and Juliet: Six Very Busy Days,” written by Island Pond playwright Robert Wing. The one-act play is an irreverent but faithful reimagining of the tragedy featuring a mostly teen cast.
Both plays are directed by Leesa Guay-Timpson, who spent 36 years teaching and directing theatre at Burlington High School before returning to her native Island Pond.
The productions feature veteran actors from the border theatre scene alongside young performers making their debuts, in keeping with the company’s mission of making theatre accessible to people of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. Admission is by donation, with a suggested range of $20 to $30. Donations can be made in advance at memphretheatre.org or at the door by cash or check.
Memphremagog Community Theatre is a nonprofit dedicated to creating local theatre in the Northeast Kingdom and Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
