The intimate and beautiful open-air theatre in historic Cupids provides the perfect place to explore the special connection we, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, have through our language and culture that will enrich the text and experience of Shakespeare's plays"
-Danielle Irvine, Artistic Director
-Danielle Irvine, Artistic Director
Is there no play, to ease the anguish of a torturing hour?
(A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Michael Rhodri Smith from The Servant of Two Masters, directed by Perry Schneiderman, summer 2019. Photo Credit: Pamela Whelan.
Audiences and artists the world over are missing being in our magical spaces sharing stories with you.
As Shakespeare wrote in Henry V:
"O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!"
May these strange times be our muse of fire. May we all find stories to tell with the brightest heaven of invention when once again, you, our monarchs, can behold our swelling scene.
Until then, we wish you all safety, good health, and the joy of friends and family, even if it is distantly.
“Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course" (Henry VI)
Theatre, by its very definition, is about shared experience. About coming together to witness, learn from, and participate in a human story as it goes through challenges and overcomes obstacles. It offers us new perspectives and new pathways while challenging old patterns and thoughts. Theatre is life at its best and worst.
While we may be embracing social isolation, we are actually still all engaged in a shared experience that is challenging us to think and live differently. It is challenging our very concepts of how we live our lives, while inspiring us to be safely community minded. In the midst of the hardship, there are still opportunities for us to think and be at our best.
As the busyness drops away, priorities are rising to the surface, those of health, safety, family, and community. Simple gestures of kindness are becoming rampant at the community level, while extraordinary measures are being taken at the global level. These gestures, big and small, are keeping us together, and giving us hope.
It is helpful to be reminded that the whole world is putting their thoughts together to find a path forward. There is wisdom in our shared experience.
We hope that wherever you find yourselves, you take time to dream and plan for what lays beyond. Having goals to aim for gives us a bit of steadiness. The uncertainty is real, but, with each passing day, the way forward will get more clear.
As we continue to dream and plan for a beautiful summer in Cupids, we hope that you continue to dream and plan too, and may these dreams help keep you aloft in these turbulent and uncertain times.
Danielle Irvine
She/Her
Artistic Director
Theatre, by its very definition, is about shared experience. About coming together to witness, learn from, and participate in a human story as it goes through challenges and overcomes obstacles. It offers us new perspectives and new pathways while challenging old patterns and thoughts. Theatre is life at its best and worst.
While we may be embracing social isolation, we are actually still all engaged in a shared experience that is challenging us to think and live differently. It is challenging our very concepts of how we live our lives, while inspiring us to be safely community minded. In the midst of the hardship, there are still opportunities for us to think and be at our best.
As the busyness drops away, priorities are rising to the surface, those of health, safety, family, and community. Simple gestures of kindness are becoming rampant at the community level, while extraordinary measures are being taken at the global level. These gestures, big and small, are keeping us together, and giving us hope.
It is helpful to be reminded that the whole world is putting their thoughts together to find a path forward. There is wisdom in our shared experience.
We hope that wherever you find yourselves, you take time to dream and plan for what lays beyond. Having goals to aim for gives us a bit of steadiness. The uncertainty is real, but, with each passing day, the way forward will get more clear.
As we continue to dream and plan for a beautiful summer in Cupids, we hope that you continue to dream and plan too, and may these dreams help keep you aloft in these turbulent and uncertain times.
Danielle Irvine
She/Her
Artistic Director
A United Vision:
How a Diverse Board Helps Arts Organizations Thrive
By Business and Arts NL on Mar 17, 2020
On February 26, Danielle Irvine, Artistic Director of Perchance Theatre at Cupids, gave a passionate speech during Business & Arts NL’s latest Sunrise event at Virtual Marine. Hosted by a different business member each quarter, these early morning events bring together our members to learn about how collaborations between artists and businesses contribute to a flourishing society.
In her speech, Irvine spoke to the power of having a diverse, passionate and caring board with a united vision.
HOW FAR THAT LITTLE CANDLE THROWS HIS BEAMS
Thanks to you, our donors, our patrons, and our volunteers, Perchance Theatre at Cupids celebrated its 10th season in the beautiful community of Cupids, welcoming over 2000 people into our theatre.
We, truly, could not do what we do without your support, especially in these trying times.
Your impact is real.
As many of you know, the arts are not-for-profit and, as such, the costs of production (months of preparation, weeks of rehearsals, loads of materials, and the many folks working behind the scenes) could never be made affordable to our audiences without the support of grants and donations.
For those of you who lend your support, we thank you!
Welcome to April. Spring is springing, we celebrate Shakespeare's birth (and death) this month, and we are staying inside and social distancing as much as possible.
What a strange world. I hope you are all doing well. Let's jump into Richard II:
Enjoy his tale...
Ian
Ian Doescher, The Shakespeare 2020 Project
What a strange world. I hope you are all doing well. Let's jump into Richard II:
- Richard II Video Introduction: Louise Bishop offers this play's introduction.
- Richard II: Additional Resources: A full production that shows the text in subtitles, and other bits and bobs.
- Richard II: From the Folger Archive: A collection of images from productions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- General Resources: Other resources you may find useful as you read, including links for film adaptations.
Enjoy his tale...
Ian
Ian Doescher, The Shakespeare 2020 Project
