Opening night: St. Augustine Theatre presents ‘Hello, Shakespeare!’

Jacob Pimienta as Hamlet.<ins> (Photos by Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News) </ins>Jacob Pimienta as Hamlet. (Photos by Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
(Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
Actresses sword fighting to demonstrate ‘tragedy.’ (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)Actresses sword fighting to demonstrate ‘tragedy.’ (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
The narrator, Damien Normandeau, left, and William Shakespeare (Joenalie Jimenez). (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)The narrator, Damien Normandeau, left, and William Shakespeare (Joenalie Jimenez). (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
King Henry VIII (Joenalie Jimenez) with his six wives. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)King Henry VIII (Joenalie Jimenez) with his six wives. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
Tori Koehler, left, as Cleopatra. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)Tori Koehler, left, as Cleopatra. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

St. Augustine Theatre held the opening night of their family-friendly production Hello, Shakespeare! on June 2.

Produced with special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc., the play by Joseph P. Kochiss details the life and works of famous playwright William Shakespeare in a brief, witty and informative manner.

After a bumbling biography of his life by the narrator, portrayed by Damien Normandeau, and his helper, played by Liam Wittal, Shakespeare himself (Joenalie Jimenez) appears on stage to protest the portrayal of his life and to set the record straight.

Actors and actresses then demonstrate the three types of plays Shakespeare wrote: comedies, tragedies and histories, before some of his most memorable characters make appearances.

Hello, Shakespeare! is directed by Nicole Josephison and costumes were made by Dayna Wittal. The technical theatre manager is Nathan Nel.

The remaining show times are June 3 at 7 p.m. and June 4 at 2 p.m.

PonokaSTAR CatholicTheatre