News Release
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A new cultural initiative is coming to North Bay in the New Year. Well-known theatre practitioner, Rod Carley, is working with 8 community organizations to bring Shakespeare’s masterpiece, KING LEAR, to local audiences and high school students from April 14 to 26 at Trinity United Church. In addition to the production, Secondary School acting workshops are being provided for area schools as well as a four part lecture series starting in January.
A crowd-funding campaign was launched in late October to help raise funds for the project. Only two weeks remain to make a donation for KING LEAR - the campaign closes on December 26th at midnight. A little over $4,500.00 has been raised so far with a target of $10,000.00 needed to make the Carley’s dream a reality. Donations start at $5.00. To help support this important local arts project, make a donation by visiting:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/king-lear-project#home
KING LEAR will star veteran Canadian actor David Fox in the title role. Born in Swastika, David has been a proud Northern Ontarian all his life and is looking forward to returning to North Bay. KING LEAR is his legacy project. Mr. Fox headlined for the Nipissing Stage Company from 2000 to 2005. He last starred in THE TEMPEST (staged on the waterfront for the 2005 Heritage Festival).
Community partners include Trinity United Church, the White Water Gallery, Canadore College, North Bay Literacy Council, Retired Teachers Association, the Gathering Place, the Near North School Board and Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic Separate School Board.
“KING LEAR is often regarded as Shakespeare’s greatest work, the masterpiece among masterpieces. It is a domestic tragedy examining the breakdown of family relationships on a huge canvas, yet drawn with a very intimate brush,” says Carley. “It is a vital, artistic project needed in this area where there is little to no municipal grants or funding for artists. Yet everywhere one cuts the earth it seems to bleed a new sports arena. KING LEAR brings Shakespeare's profound thinking on life to new, younger audiences and to many Northern Ontarians who haven't seen Shakespeare performed before. KING LEAR enriches North Bay and area culturally by providing what currently does not exist – affordable, top quality professional live theatre that reminds audiences, through Shakespeare, that humanity's only hope is to try to be decent and generous with each other – a timely message during the Christmas season.”
Carley adds, “KING LEAR is a necessary and much needed alternative to the over-abundance of electronic media and entertainment in the 21st century. It helps students become more literate and educated through Shakespeare's works. KING LEAR will showcase some of the finest talent in Northern Ontario including eight Canadore College Theatre Arts alumni.”
Christmas discount ticket packages are also available by calling 705-494-9673. For more information visit: www.kinglearproject.com.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 705-477-1525 -
