The Hudson Players Club presents their Shakespeare by the Lake production of
Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Aaron George
Scenes, Sonnets and Speeches on Love from the works of the Bard
This year Hudson Players Club will be presenting, back by popular demand, a play written and directed by our club’s own Christopher Gobeil about a troupe of 19thcentury itinerant Shakespearean actors and their ruminations on the place of love in the works of the Bard.
It’s a beautiful evening in Hudson in the 1890’s as Ye Olde Hudson Players return from a long and arduous road trip. Footsore and weary, they arrive to be greeted by an assembly of townsfolk, out looking for excitement on this summer evening.
As the players make themselves at home and practice a scene from Romeo and Juliet, a debate begins among them about the place of love in the works of the Bard of Avon: William Shakespeare. One thing leads to another and a wager is made – whomever can use the works of Shakespeare to best illustrate one of the seven loves described by the ancient Greeks will win applause, and a flagon of wine!
The game is on, and the talent of the players is on display as they each recite scenes, speeches, and sonnets in the quest for the prize. In the end it is the audience that chooses the winner, in this clever portrayal of the love actors bear for their craft, and the genius that was William Shakespeare.
There will be 8 performances running from July 11thto 21st, Thursday to Sunday at 7pm.
Join us in the Beautiful Jack Layton Park for the Love of Shakespeare.
Cast of Characters
Player Princess: McKenna Hayden
Player Prince : James Berryman
Player King : Simon Cote
Player Queen : Christine Sheppard
Player Duke : Steve Walters
Player Duchess : Sandy Ferguson
Player Fool: Bill Fletcher
Player : JF Samson
Player: Jonah Buksbaum
Player : Joe Dineen
Player : Olivia Richardson
Player : Anjali Ramcharan
Player : Eva Morel
Player : Olivia Pontecorvo
Player: Deborah McCafferty
Player : Joe Tyas
Player ; Megan Fisher
Player : Mady Samson
Musician : Tim Walsh
Musician : Monica Gunther
Production Team
Writer & Director : Christopher Gobeil
Production Manager : Glen Robinson
Stage Manager : Heather Bentley
Assistant Stage Manager : Lisa Crowhurst Fisher
Choreographer : Donna Stewart
Costumes : Karen Pearce
Music Composition: Roy Vuorela
Singing Coach : Kim Boyle
Publicity : John Sheridan
Photographer : Val Provost
Executive Producer: Elizabeth Harwood
The Cast of For the Love of Shakespeare
McKenna Hayden
Player Princess
James Berryman
Player Prince
Simon Cote
Player King
Steve Walters
Player Duke
Sandy Ferguson
Player Duchess
Christine Sheppard
Player Queen
Jean-Frédéric Samson
Player
Jonah Buksbaum
Player
Bill Fletcher
Player
Olivia Richardson
Player
Anjali Ramcharan
Player
Joe Dineen
Player
Olivia Pontecorvo
Player
Deborah McCafferty
Player
Eva Morel
Player
Megan Fisher
Player
Mady Samson
Player
Joe Tyas
Player
For the Love of Shakespeare Creative Team
Christopher Gobeil
Writer & Director
Glen Robinson
Production Manager
Heather Bentley
Stage Manager
Lisa Crowhurst Fisher
Assistant Stage Manager
Donna Stewart
Choreographer
Karen Pearce
Costumes
Roy Vuorela
Music Composition
Kim Boyle
Singing Coach
Val Provost
Photographer
Glen is very excited to be returning to Shakespeare by the Lake this summer! He has previously appeared as Touchstone in “As You Like It”, Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and The Fool in “For the love of Shakespeare “. He most recently appeared as Hamm in Samuel Beckett’s “ Endgame “.
Tommy is thrilled to be making his debut with Hudson Players Club and to be at the lovely Hudson Village Theatre. He was last seen playing Jack Tisdale in Lakeshore Players Opening Night. Some of his favorite theatre credits include I Am Yours (Toilane) and Featuring Loretta (Dave) with Tableau D’Hôte theatre. Twelfth Night (Sir Toby Belch & Sebastian) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius & Francis Flute) with the Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company. Not Now Darling (Harry McMichael) with Lakeshore Players. Chapter Two (Leo Schneider) – Pier 21 productions and Closer (Daniel Woolf) – Acts to Grind Theatre. Tommy would like to thank the incredible cast and crew of The Full Monty. He would also like to thank all of you for your support of theatre!
This is Fiona’s second appearance with Shakespeare-by-the-lake, not having been scared off last time by the bugs and the poison ivy. She has also performed for several years with Lakeshore Light Opera in principal roles and in the chorus. Whether performing with an 18-piece orchestra or with the serenade of the lake lapping the shore, it is always that enthusiasm and response of the wonderful audience that is the most exciting!
With 35 years of theatre experience, Mary has had the pleasure of exploring many roles both on stage and behind the scenes. Professional stage management credits, On a First Name Basis starring Norm Foster, Spitfire Dance, The Woman in Black (HVT), Brigit’s Reel (HVT), Harvest (HVT). Memorable acting roles may include Opening Night (Lakeshore Players) The Long Weekend, Ethan Claymore, A Flea in her Ear (Hudson Village Theatre), Melville Boys, A Delicate Balance, On Golden Pond (Hudson Players). Some of her favorite directing experiences, The Tempest, Midsummer’s Night Dream, Pheobe’s Gift, Campbell’s Sutra, Queen Milli of Galt, A Few Grimm Tales, The Graduate and too many Christmas Pantomimes. Much love and respect to all involved in this awesome show.
Konstantine Malakos is delighted to be making his Hudson Players Club debut as Fenton in the Merry Wives of Windsor after an extended hiatus from acting.
A graduate of the Atlantic Theatre School acting conservatory in NYC, Malakos’ off off Broadway theatre credits include Henry in Daniel MacIvor and Daniel Brooks one person show “Here Lies Henry” various roles in David Ives “All in the Timing”.
In his native Peterborough, Ontario selected credits include Mr. Collins in “Pride and Prejudice”, The Major in “Titanic:the musical” and Stephen Girard in “The Insanity of Mary Girard”.
Malakos has also appeared on television as a field correspondent on “Out at the Center” a show about the NYC LGBT community and in the short film “Lucky Break”.
Patricia Légaré Eddisford (she/her/hers) is a Montreal based actor, playwright and entrepreneur. Through her small production company she founded in 2014, Moon Escapees Productions – Les Évadés de la Lune, she develops, creates and produces shows. Young audiences know her as Lady Lost, the forgotten princess. Since 2016 she has been a regular of the Saturday Morning Kids Series at the Centaur Theatre Company.
Patricia also teaches the Michael Chekhov Technique. She received her teacher and actor certification at the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium (GLMCC) at Mount Union University in Ohio. Actors, directors, drama students and even playwrights attend her workshops to learn a range of tools that Michael Chekhov developed in order to spark their imagination through a psycho-physical approach.
The pandemic didn’t stop her and she created the Joyous Arts with Chekhovian friends. At first it was to maintain an artistic shape by doing cold readings and actor’s exercises but new playwrights started to show interest in the project. They were interested in having professional actors read their new work, to hear it and receive some constructive feedback. More than thirty actors and 5 playwrights from everywhere in North America are part of this evolving project.
Patricia truly believes that the secret to grow professionally is to share knowledge, to connect with as many individuals as possible and to be humble.
Since 2001, Diana has regularly performed in Hudson Players Club (HPC) productions and Hudson Village Theatre’s (HVT) annual pantomimes. Her most recent performances were as “Prospera” in HPC’s Shakespeare by the Lake production of “The Tempest” July 2018; “Morgana” in HVTs “Camelot” Christmas pantomime, 2017, and in HVT’s fundraiser productions as “Cookie” in “Rumors”, May 2019 and “Billie” in “Renovations for 6”, April 2022. She is very pleased to contribute to this production. She is thrilled to be able to collaborate with such a talented dedicated group of individuals either on or off stage. She would like to thank her family and friends in Hudson Players Club; Hudson Village Theatre, the Hudson/ Saint Lazare and wider community for their incredibly generous encouragement over the years.
Nick’s involvement in the dramatic arts dates back to the somewhat tender age of 11, where he first walked onto the planks in a community theatre production within his hometown of Laval. Twenty-four years later, he makes an appearance in such a show again – though it isn’t to say that nothing has happened in between. Getting kicked out of his mother’s place, dropping out of and returning to high school, as well going on to college and university are all life events that he is familiar with, and constitute a baggage that he has brought to his acting. A recent graduate of John-Abbott College’s professional theatre program, Nick has had the opportunity to further his handle on the craft, all the while partaking in the fun of learning through theatre’s soul-vivifying potential. His proudest achievement during his years as a student? Playing the principal Narrator, Arthur A. Robertson, in Miller’s depression-era play The American Clock. More recent credits include Get Off My Chest (Sipo-Matador Theatre), Slaying In Suburbia (Project Aliencat) and A Number (McGill Drama Festival 2018).
Tristen Clahane is very excited to return to the Hudson Players Club to take part in this year’s play. They participated in last year’s production “Macebth”, where they made their debut playing Prince Malcolm. This is Tristen’s second show ever, besides elementary school productions and they are very excited for opening night.
Tristen is about to graduate from Westwood Senior High School. Once they have done so, Tristen plans to attend John Abbott College’s Professional Theater Program. They are excited for this upcoming experience and grateful towards the Hudson Players Club for giving them a chance.
I have been part of the Hudson Players for a a couple of years now and have been part of a few productions. It is a great way to have fun, meet people and develop yourself personally. Playing in the The Merry Wives of Windsor has been particularly enjoyable and I hope the audience enjoys it as much as I have!
In what seems a lifetime ago I studied theatre at Dawson College. Flash forwardto a different me and I was pulled back to the stage. In 2019 Hudson Players invited me to ‘Treasure Island’ as Pirate, Lady and Ghost. In 2020 I discovered Zoom as Lady Macbeth in Hudson’s virtual ‘Macbeth’. First Sister in ‘The Genie’ followed in 2021 for a taste of film. I meet you now as the quirky Bardolph in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’. Next, you may find me in your local pub in the role of ukulele player and singer.
Aaron is thrilled to be returning for his second season at the helm of Shakespeare by The Lake. He is the founding artistic director of Shakespeare Canada, a touring company that has brought The Bard’s works to young audiences for the past 20 years. Aaron’s work can be seen across eight provinces as what started as two guys using power bars for lights and personal speakers for sound has grown into a national company. Past Shakespearean directorial credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Othello, King Lear, Titus Andronicus, and now… finally… The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Aaron would like to thank the entire crew at Hudson Players for allowing him to stretch his artistic muscles with some of the finest people he has ever met. The biggest thanks though goes to his wife Niki who is not only his rock but still his favorite person to work with; his son Jackson who bravely takes the stage this year (and last) at Jack Layton Park, son #2 Austin for always making him laugh, and son 3 Owen for not burning down the rehearsal hall.
Enjoy the Show!
My Husband Steve Walters tried for many years to get me involved in community theatre both here and in the U.K, I eventually gave in and auditioned for a role in the Hudson Village Theatre’s Panto of “Cinderella”, and got a lead role.
I then decided that being on stage was not for me, and I approached the Hudson Players Club to ask if I could work behind the scenes for any of their plays.And so it began:I’ve been part of the Hudson Players Club as a Stage manager for the last 4 years.I started as an assistant stage manager with No Sex Please We’re British, and progressed from there, with the following plays,Midsummer nights dream, Whose wives are they, For the love of Shakespeare, Balconville, Jack of diamonds and the Tempest.It has been a great pleasure working and making friends with a variety of actors and directors within our community. And now as Vice President.
Having actedd in community theater on and off for the past 15 years, James has appeared in show such as Lakeshore Player’s productions of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, And then There Were None, The Butler did it and more recently with the Hudson Players, Snow White, For the Love of Shakespeare and Treasure Island.
