Vincent Massey's production of Pride and Prejudice going on now until Saturday, May 20th

 Vincent Massey’s Pride and Prejudice, going on now until Saturday, May 20^th, is almost entirely student lead! 

The ambitious production boasts three student directors, student costume designers, props, sets, set construction, media, house, choreography, theme music composition, hair & make up, tech…even the strike and wrap up dinner celebration is all student lead!) 

This production of Pride and Prejudice is a streamlined original theatrical version of Jane Austen’s classic novel involving manners, courtship and relationships. 

Teacher Margo Kehler adapted four scripts then students William G & Madelyn W (who plays Elizabeth Bennett) read the original novel. They then took the condensed script by the teacher and William Dramaturged the script to ensure it was reflective of the novel, and ultimately rewrote it, while Mady edited. In short, this production is wholly original. 

Here is an example of how student driven: Julia G has composed original theme music while brother Anderson G plays the lead of Mr. Darcy. Their Mother, Mavis, is a costume designer by profession and created William’s gown while he plays the incredibly imposing Lady Catherine deBourgh! 

Parent Gordon Taylor has created the set along with the student set design team and is building it with his child Parker (who plays a Soldier). 

Student Kaelyn Y-M will be in Korea filming a show during our class production so was asked instead of missing out on the show, to share her expertise by being a director! Eli W is new to the Massey community this year but with extensive stage experience and a huge creative brain rounds out the directing staff. 

The Bennett sisters are played by five grade 12 women who are close friends in real life. “We could not have done such a massive production without the strength of these particular actors. It is simply too demanding but these are the right people to do it and do it well. Mady has been an incredible driving force behind this show. I love her interpretation of Lizzie!” says teacher Margo Wilson Kehler. “Better than Keira Knightly’s interpretation.” 

Emerson H, Zoe H, Olivia W, Melody P-M, and Bennett “parents” Hayden P & Hannah B are magical together. In short, it has been a coming together of the school community! 

 Former Massey choral teacher Willa Wade Budzak has returned out of retirement to be Wardrobe Mistress, assisting the student costume team. Lindy & Eliyora and other students have organized the schedule, created swag, rehearsed lines with one another and created and assembled props

It’s been an incredible whirlwind involving all 32 Grade 11&12 Drama students with some Grade 10 students getting involved backstage, in house, and on stage as extras. 

 Finding a husband is hardly Elizabeth Bennet's most urgent priority. But with four sisters, an overzealous match-making mother, and a string of unsuitable suitors, it's difficult to escape the subject. When the independent-minded Elizabeth meets the handsome but enigmatic Mr. Darcy, all feelings of attraction are muted by his pride and her prejudice. As their worlds keep colliding, their attraction increases. But they first must overcome their own weaknesses and many other obstacles before the most famous courtship in history can begin.

Show is being staged Wednesday May 17th to Saturday May 20th at Forest Nickerson Theatre in the Deaf Centre Manitoba, located at 285 Pembina Highway. 

Tickets are $10 each and are available from any cast member, by contacting teacher Margo Kehler or by calling 204-250-8135. 

Student school Matinee is Friday May 19th A.M or P.M. can be arranged. Contact mkehler@Pembinatrails.ca if interested!