Who can wake Briar Rose, after a curse puts her to sleep for a hundred years?
The classic Grimm brother's fairytale, Sleeping Beauty, is on stage at the Sudbury Theatre Centre (STC) between Dec. 5 to Dec. 20, weekends only. The play is written by Charles Way.
Tickets are $32 for adults, $27 for seniors, $17 for students and $62.50 for a family pack.
In this version of the classic story, young Prince Owain, who befriends Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) at a young age, is the true hero of the play. That makes the script as exciting for boys as it is for girls, Judi Straughan said. She is education co-ordinator for the STC.
“Owain suffers from a severe case of low self-esteem and is convinced he can do nothing right. However, it is Owain, with the help of the half-man, half dragon Gryff, who rises to the occasion to free the imprisoned Briar Rose. She had been doomed to sleep for more than 100 years after pricking her finger on a needle,” Straughan recounted.
But will Owain and Gryff be able to wake Briar Rose from her sleep? Will there be a happy ending? Only time will tell.
The play is directed by Darcy Evans, veteran of six seasons at Stratford. Leah Coombs, a recent graduate of the Sheridan
Musical Theatre Program, plays Briar Rose. The insecure Prince Owain is played by Curtis Tweedie, who has played roles in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Sisters and witches Branwen and Modron, who fight over the child, are played by Deborah Drakeford and Katherine East, both originally from the area. James Wallis, new to the STC stage, plays Gryff, friend and protector of Briar Rose. Her parents are played by Jeff miller and Alexis Keotting. Miller was recently at STC in Leading Ladies and Koetting previously performed in Three Days of Rain.
Set design is by Doug Robinson, who created the set for Leading Ladies, the first show in the STC season. Travis Hatt is lighting designer. Costume design is by Joanne Kelemen with help by costume technicians Sheila Proulx and Leslie Mahar. Shauna Japp is stage manager.
Mining Technologies International is a sponsor of the play. For more information, phone 674-7788.
