The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood has been loaded with improvisation and great humour to showcase the talents of the Kelly Road senior drama class.
This fast-paced chaotic comedy sees Robin Hood challenged to a test of skill to win the heart of fair Maid Marion, while outside forces tend to interfere.
Despite being set in mid-16th century England there is a ridiculous Monty-Pythonesque bowling challenge instead of archery that sets the scene for some off-the-cuff humour allowing the students creativity to shine.
"There's always at least one big belly laugh during each of our many rehearsals," said Audrey Rowell, drama teacher at Kelly Road secondary. "We are constantly improving the physical comedy and the improv is so much fun."
To make sure each student would take to the stage at some point, Rowell has male and female students cross-dressing to take on roles such as the "fawning ladies" and Taylor Eastman plays Prince John.
A teenage girl playing the role of the ultimate bad guy isn't even a blip on Eastman's radar and she gives full credit of her confidence in her ability to her teacher, Audrey Rowell.
"I am a bit speechless when I think of all that Mrs. Rowell has done for me," said Eastman, a student in Grade 12, who has been in drama class since Grade 9. "From what little I knew when I started to now - I have changed and learned so much about acting thanks to her."
Devon Gurney, Grade 12, plays Robin Hood, the biggest role he's taken on in his four-year drama class career. Fine-tuning his improv is the easy part, now that he's memorized all his lines, he added.
"It's a lot easier being this far into rehearsals," Gurney said. "It's fun because now we can put ourselves into it and see what works best in the show. It's a really fun play and really quirky and there's just so much we add to it, too."
Rowell believes this play is perfect for all ages.
"This has got to be one of the funniest plays I have ever produced," she said. "The students have an uncanny ability to add to the humour and movement of the play. There is a lot of interaction with the audience. This is a really dedicated class of actors - well, they have to be dedicated for teenage boys to wear tights, right?"
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, $3 for children at the door of the Kelly Road gymnasium for each performance. Doors at 6:30, show at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
