Regina residents welcome the return of live theatre
Regina residents have been waiting for live performances to come back for months, and this week the opportunity to take in a live show will return.
Sum Theatre, a company based in Saskatoon, has brought its theatre in the park performance to Regina.
The show, ‘The Other Side of the River’, tells the story of two communities divided until they are forced together and discover their similarities.
“This year we wanted to address race relations and the fear that people have about people that are different from them and do a play about anti-racism for everyone,” said Joel Bernbaum, the artistic director for Sum Theatre.
The rock-and-roll opera, complete with puppets, aims to use art as a catalyst for discussion and change.
The story was heavily influenced by the Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter movements that have taken place over the last year.
“All of our artists, myself included, are grappling with these movements and saying how do we let them infect and infuse our work in a way that helps us move people a little further down their path of understanding the world around them,” said Bernhaum.
The show features an original score composed by Amanda Trapp.
“This was my first full score that I composed,” said Trapp. “It was a real opportunity to write something I had a strong relationship to.”
Focusing on rock music, Trapp hopes to bring people into the story on different levels.
“When we’re all belting out these songs and our guitarist is just slamming on his guitar you can’t help but lean in and listen,” said Trapp.
Audiences can expect huge puppets and sets during the show, creating an environment Sum Theatre hopes people will remember.
“This at the end of the day is a play, and a play is meant to be fun,” said Bernbaum. “There is nothing more fun than puppets that blow your mind. So if nothing else, its worth it to come down to the park to hear the amazing music, and see the giant puppets.”
The free performances will be taking place at parks around Regina all week long. For a list of shows and locations visit Sum Theatre online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.