Shakespeare In The Parks Event Held Over Holiday Weekend
Author: mt43news staff reporter
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Shakespeare in the Parks actors made the Bard come to life Sunday at Heritage Park. Over a hundred couples and families enjoyed the perfect Montana evening, food and excellent acting when King Henry V valiantly led his troops to take back France during the wars of 1415. Period costumes set the scene. Children in the audience loved the fierce sword fights. Adults loved Henry’s wooing of Princess Catherine of France.
Shakespeare in the Parks is in its 53rd season. The troupe, professional actors from New York, Chicago and yes, Bozeman, look forward to their summer traveling thousands of miles across five states bringing free, professional productions to rural and underserved audiences, according to the event booklet.
Director Kevin Asselin writes: “Montana has the second-highest veteran population per capita in the United States. In honoring that reality, this production places deep emphasis on the value of service and sacrifices made by those who answer the call… Henry V is a tribute to them.”
One of the actors, Marcus Cunningham, who acted in Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin, displayed his enthusiasm for live theater: “I have acted in all three shows here in Townsend, both at the high school, the grade school and here in the park. While I have spent my career in formal theaters, I love being this close to the audience, seeing their reactions, and watching the kids’ eyes open wide during the fight scenes. I feel maybe bringing Shakespeare to young kids will encourage them to get involved in theater too.”
Townsend Area of Commerce hosted the event, which was sponsored by Broadwater Community Theater, Townsend Hardware, and Doug Breker.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: The actors, flushed from performing Shakespeare's Henry V, from left are Sam Cheeseman, Avery Johnson, Rikky Johnson and Marcus Cunningham.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: Actor Emily Hawkins plays the part of Quickly in Henry V.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 3 Caption: The King admonishes his follower Pistol to be fearless in battle.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 4 Caption: Shakespeare in the Parks brought out nearly 100 people at Heritage Park Sunday night.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
