SCPA making a splash with Metamorphoses

By Nikayla Goddard, November 23 2017 —

Great plays are able to explore what it means to be human. The upcoming production of Metamorphoses from the University of Calgary’s School of the Creative and Performing (SCPA) is no exception.

Based on Ovid’s classic poem Metamorphoses, director Haysam Kadri says the play by Mary Zimmerman is exciting and ambitious.

The SCPA’s website describes Metamorphoses as “a play about renewal and perception — a stunning testament to how we, as a society, have come to ignore our mythic side despite the fact that humanity has changed very little since the beginning of time.” Originally a series of six myth adaptations, the play as presented by the SCPA has evolved into an 11-scene series set in and around a centre-stage pool of water.

“It has really extraordinary characters and extraordinary circumstances,” Kadri says. “There’s a lot of spectacle involved — including a pool. We have a reservoir of water in which a lot of the dramatic action is playing in. It’s quite challenging, but also really exciting to see that.”

Born and raised in Calgary, Kadri is the current artistic director of the Shakespeare Company. He splits his time between his job, directing, acting and teaching. When it came to directing Metamorphoses, Kadri says the decision to direct it was “a really simple ‘yes.’ ” As someone who enjoys emerging artist education, he always takes the opportunity to be a part of a workshops or direct productions at post-secondary institutions.

“The play really incorporates a bunch of genres of theatre — classic, modern, comedic and dramatic elements,” Kadri says. “It’s really a huge palette to work with as a director and a teacher and I think the students are really rising up to the challenge. We’re having a great deal of fun.”

The play, which is runs from Nov. 24 – Dec. 2, comprises of what Kadri describes as a wealth of talented crew. This includes the design team and administrative staff who oversee the whole project, which features an abnormally large number of actors on the stage at times.

“It’s a very big community of people at the university that are helping to see this through. I’ll say that the U of C and the people who are running the SCPA program have really gone above and beyond the call of duty to see this through and help execute the vision of myself and of the play,” Kadri says.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the SPCA’s website. Tickets are $21 for adults and $16 for students and seniors.