Red Deer College’s theatre students have been practicing their British accents for the past few weeks.
About 16 Theatre Performance and Creation students are getting ready for Major Barbara, originally written by George Bernard Shaw, in 1905.
Thomas Usher, RDC instructor, who is also directing the play, said Major Barbara is set around the same time as Downton Abbey.
Apart from their accents, students are also practicing their Salvation Army hymns.
Usher said a few members from the Red Deer Salvation Army will join students on stage and play the songs with them.
The play stars Barbara who saves lives and souls by helping the poor and confronting social injustice as a Salvation Army major. But she is confronted by a moral dilemma when her wealthy father and an industrialist pays her a visit.
Usher said as the actors will question the true price of morality, the audience will be do the same.
Directing the play has been a lot of fun for Usher, given its rich text.
That must be true for students, too, he said.
“To visit the works by Shaw is a great treat even for actors because there’s such rich characters and he’s cleverly witty,” he said.
Along with Major Barbara, the School of Creative Arts is bringing concerts, screenings and exhibits in February.
A visual arts faculty and staff exhibition at Welikoklad Event Centre Gallery is on display until March 4. The exhibit looks at the works from the visual arts faculty, many who work as practicing artists in the community.
A lunchtime concert Feb. 8 showcases the talents of RDC’s music students in an intimate setting at the college.
A swing dance night, also at the college, takes place Feb. 16 with live dance music by RDC Big Band and Jazz Combos.
For those looking to see RDC’s version of Major Barbara – which isn’t too different from the original – can purchase tickets at the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
The play runs Feb. 8 to 10 and 13 to 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mainstage at RDC’s Arts Centre. A matinee show is scheduled for Feb. 15 at 12 p.m.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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