MAID for a MUSKET ~ Planning, Auditions, Concept, Musical Collaboration

www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca

Ian Farthing, Artistic Director, St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival

Lucia Frangione, International Award Winning Playwright

As part of the War of 1812 Celebrations, Ontario Visited is excited to share some “SCOOP” about their upcoming performance “MAID for a MUSKET”, a brand new comedy by Lucia Frangione, Original music by Melissa Morris. Ian Farthing, Artistic Director of the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival has kindly introduced us to Ms. Lucia Frangione, internationally produced award winning playwright and actor. Together with Ian’s input, we continue …

Auditions, Planning, Concept, MUSICAL Collaboration … MAID for a MUSKET …

Ian Farthing, Artistic Director, St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, shares with us that nearly 1000 submissions from actors across the country wanted to audition for the season, which includes Hamlet. I was able to ask Ms. Frangione, how long did it take to come up with the concept and then create and write “Maid for a Musket”? I was surprised by her answer … “I didn’t have a lot of time, actually. A year and a half. I usually like to have two years at least. I had a lot of history to wade through too, but it was all very interesting and fun work.” Ian Farthing goes on to tell us … “As Lucia mentioned, we've done the whole new play creation process in just over 18 months, but in terms of planning the mainstage season, things are usually mapped out 2 years ahead”.

Ontario Visited wondered what Ms Frangione duties/roles are prior to and during a production for “Maid for a Musket?” She tells us …“I really hand over the reigns to the director but I’m around to make any edits and changes to the script that they inevitably discover in rehearsals. In this case, I am around for the first week of rehearsals and the last week right up to opening night.”

Maid for a Musket, at this year’s St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival features Original Music by Melissa Morris. We have had the privilege of watching Melissa Morris over the course of the past 4 years at the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival and enjoyed her roles and performances. Melissa is a drama and music graduate of Queen's University. She is also an actor and singer, music director and composer. I asked Ms. Frangione if she could tell us a little about her experience and collaborations with Melissa pertaining to “Maid for a Musket” creation. Lucia replies … “Our collaboration was long distance so we didn’t get to talk much. She was quick accommodating and super talented. It was easy because she’s utterly capable.”

Stay tuned for more exciting “SCOOP” from Lucia Frangione and Ian Farthing, St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival! Check out their website for the details (www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca), plan on a fun, and great, memorable time!