The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild’s (GWTG) ninth annual summer youth production is an original play with an adventure game quest at the heart of the plot.
The play, Concordia: Realm of Heroes, follows the fortunes of a hero and his companions as they try and liberate a kingdom from the tyranny of the “Great Dark Evil.”
“During their quest to save the princess and the young king, the heroes get waylaid and trapped in a village, where they get sidetracked into some weird mini-quests,” explains GWTG member Megan Raftis, who wrote the play and is co-directing it with Peggy Raftis and Dan Bieman.
The show, which features 18 actors between six and 18 years old, is the ninth summer production staged by the guild entirely with youth actors. It is the eighth written by Raftis for the program.
“This is an action/comedy, structured along the lines of a classic adventure video game” she explains.
Raftis says audiences will enjoy the departure from a traditional plot line. Also, with a smaller cast than past plays, it has given some young actors a chance to “step up and shine in larger roles.”
While the main goal is creating a play that’s fun for young people to be involved in, the youth theatre program is designed to give budding actors the chance to experience live theatre.
The youth company shows also provide an ideal opportunity for parents or grandparents to introduce children to theatre by bringing them to watch the production.
Cast members come from Minto, Mapleton, Listowel, and Gowanstown.
Concordia: Realm of Heroes runs July 20 and 21 at 7:30pm and July 22 at 2pm at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre.
Tickets are a family-friendly $5 at the door or from cast members. For information go to greywellingtontheatre.com or email gwtg@wightman.ca.
