Shakespeare on the Sask. challenging expectations of 400-year-old stories

The Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival opens up Friday with Romeo and Juliet.

That won’t be the only show this year, as the troupe is also performing As You Like It.

Both shows will feature the same cast and, according to Jen Fong who plays Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Celia in As You Like It, the challenge that comes with performing in two separate plays is also rewarding.

(Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)

“It’s definitely been a challenge. It’s a workout for your brain. You’ve got to keep a lot straight in your mind, but it’s also really rewarding,” explained Fong.

“You get to play in these really different spaces, so you get to learn a lot about yourself as an actor and a person.”

One challenge is how to make the classic plays feel unique. According to Kayvon Khoshkam, director of Romeo and Juliet, the group has made some changes to the famous conclusion of the story.

“We’re challenging the expectations of 400-year-old stories,” said Khoshkam. “We’re pushing back and exploring with our expectations, and maybe changing the ending a little bit.”

Romeo and Juilet isn’t the only play that had some changes be made to it. The main character Rosalind in As You Like It will be portrayed as non-binary during the festival.

(Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)

Camille Legg, who plays Rosalind, said they are excited for the opportunity to bring a queer perspective to the traditional works.

“I feel like some Shakespearean work is almost naturally queer,” said Legg. “I do think it is weirdly suitable. I feel like it fits almost perfectly sometimes.”

Legg said the performance is “exploring gender identity and how can we feel at home in ourselves and how do we find home in ourselves.”

Romeo and Juliet starts on Friday. As You Like It opens July 15, and The Dark Lady – a special show coming to Saskatoon – opens on Saturday.

Tickets can be found on the festival’s website.