Fun House Theatre and Film to Present HOUSE OF BARD'S, 6/16-20

Fun House Theatre and Film embarks on a unique collaborative project as part of their 2016 season of Politics Through the Proscenium with HOUSE OF BARD'S. Under the direction of Andy Baldwin, a cast of 9 young actors ranging in age from 12-18 tackle some of The Bard's most complex works in a completely new format and context, June 16-20. Expertly curated excerpts from Shakespeare's works, examining some of his greatest political moves, motives and actions, are combined with original scripting in this new production designed to reveal that our political climate and what we choose as entertainment are not specific to the modern era. This collaborative effort, based on a concept by Bren Rapp, with original scripting by Jeff Swearingen and Shakespearean text compiled by scholar Lance Lusk and dramaturg Kyle Eric Bradford, seamlessly blends old and new finding the thread of what has captivated audiences for centuries in the nature of man and his quest for power.

The Story: In HOUSE OF BARD'S, a group of friends set out to binge watch the hottest new show streaming on Netflix, House of Bard's. As they struggle to find the time to catch on to this new social phenomenon (think the Making of a Murderer frenzy) and battle a bevy of "first world problems" the audience not only follows their story but gets to watch the highlights of this new political thriller of a series. House of Bard's, the series, tells the tale of a couple's rise to power with its own plot lines, twist and turns including healthy doses of political intrigue, schemes, scandals and questionable acts. Imagineered by Jeff Swearingen, there is one catch. All of the dialogue is that of William Shakespeare's works. Pulling from King Lear, Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Othello, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Titus Andronicus and more, Season 1 of House Bard's is the "play within our play". Through its original characters and plot development, the audience views the arc of politics: the rise to, reign in and decline of power. The ever so Shakespearean concept of the play within a play, presented in the context of the new medium of streaming episodics, yet comprised of words written hundreds of years ago, is designed to lead the audience to realize that as long as there have been lands to conquer and people to rule, there has been politics and shortly thereafter, politics as entertainment. (Slight homage to the Netflix Original Series House of Cards and to the original Shakespearean works make this a must see for fans of both as well as easily accessible to those with no knowledge of either).

The Production Team: HOUSE OF BARD'S

Concept by Bren Rapp

Produced by Bren Rapp

Original Scripting by Jeff Swearingen

Shakespearean Text Curated by Lance Lusk and Kyle Eric Bradford

Directed by Andy Baldwin

Show Dates and Times:

7:30 Thursday, June 16

7:30 Friday, June 17

2:30 Saturday, June 18

7:30 Saturday, June 18

2:30 Sunday, June 19

7:30 Monday, June 20 *industry night (tickets $5.00)

Tickets are $8.00 in advance, $10 at the door.

Advanced purchase at www.funhousetheatreandfilm.com

All performances are in The Black Box Theater at Plano Children's Theatre, 1301 Custer Road, Plano, Texas 75075

Photo Credit: Chuck Marcelo

 

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