In July and August, “The Bard” is back, as the Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society presents King Lear during this summer’s Shakespeare in the Park production.
Director Shelley Scott has been with the Society since its inception about 15 years ago, as a former board member, but mostly as a director.
“I directed Hamlet back in 2022, and now I’m directing King Lear this summer,” Scott said. “There’s a different director every year. Sometimes we come back for a second time, like I have. Other times, there’s a brand-new person every year.”
This year’s production, Scott noted, has 13 cast members. “Some of them are brand-new to doing Shakespeare in the Park, and some are veterans that have been in many shows. I’ve got a really nice mix.”
According to Scott, although the Society calls the production Shakespeare in the Park and performs at Galt Gardens downtown and at Legacy Park in north Lethbridge, the group also performs at Casa’s Rotary Square, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod, and in High River.
“It’s almost always a Thursday or Friday evening, but it’s in a different location all through the summer,” Scott explained.
King Lear, Scott noted, is also an action-packed show with a lot of sword fighting, and a lot of violence, “as you often get with Shakespeare.”
“But it’s all sort of wrapped up in a really powerful story,” said Scott.
A Society fundraiser performance will also be held Aug. 8, which is the final night.
“It’s going to be at Casa, but it’ll be in the Community Room. You need to buy tickets for that performance. It’s going to be quite lovely,” added Scott.
Scott pointed out cast members have been rehearsing for the show since the beginning of May. “We rehearse all through May and June. We rehearse three nights a week. Part of the reason you have quite a long rehearsal period is because most of the people in the cast have jobs or they’re students or parents.”
King Lear is also a tragedy, Scott also noted. “Often when we do these plays in the summer, we tend to do comedies. Things that are a bit lighter. This one is definitely a darker, more serious play. Perhaps people should keep that in mind when they come to see it.”
Opening night of the production is July 2 at Galt Gardens.
To purchase tickets for select shows and for dates and times visit online at LSPS.
