Trinity Hall’s fall play “The Learned Ladies” will premiere from November 16 through November 18 at Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center. Under the direction of Mrs. Ellen Phillips, students in the Queen’s Court Company have eagerly been rehearsing and preparing for an exciting opening night. Members of the company have been working diligently behind the scenes to stage the production, create the costumes and scenery, and prepare props and lighting.
“The Learned Ladies'' is a laugh-out-loud classic comedy written by Molière, originally titled “Les Femmes Savantes.” Translated and adapted by Freyda Thomas, the contemporary re-imagining of the story focuses on housewife Philamente and her pursuit of noble thought and practice. While Philamente plans to marry her younger daughter Henriette off to a poet named Trisstion, Henriette has other plans of marrying her sweetheart Lycandre. Philamente attempts to push her husband into agreeing with her plans. Hilarity ensues as family relationships are tested, visiting poets arrive, and maids cause havoc.
Trinity Hall senior Maebh McCarthy will be playing the role of Henriette in the show. McCarthy has spent the last few weeks diving into her character. “[Henriette] is a sweet, kind, smart girl who desires to get married. Since the play is set in the 1760’s, I have been working on connecting her to modern characters in shows and movies today to further understand who she is, and how I can connect myself to her and help the audience better understand her. We have been breaking down the play piece by piece in rehearsals and want to make sure that others can fully understand the show from the different perspectives of the characters.”
Trinity Hall director Ellen Phillips shares, “The unique thing about the production this year is the fact that we’re trying to go from modern day into the late 1700s/early 1800s France, but we’re doing it during one song without a blackout, changing sets and changing costumes. It’s a challenge for the actors and costume and set designers to make sure it all happens in a timely fashion. They need to not only make sure that it looks good and it looks period but it has to be really easy to get on and simple. The hope is that it transforms in a really magical way. The idea is to convey to the audience that the simple story of love, sibling love, parental guidance, all of that happened back then in a very similar way that it also happens today.” Phillips also hinted that Taylor Swift may be involved this year!
According to Trinity Hall senior Kelly Kostulias, Queen’s Court Company’s assistant director, “This show is very chaotic, in a good way. There are many crazy moments, but they contribute to the humor of the show. We are really working on the comedic timing, and I am excited to see the audience’s reaction to it!”
“The Learned Ladies” will take the stage on Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, November 18 at 2:30 p.m. at Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center. Ticket reservations for all performances are available online here.
The Queen’s Court Company and Crowning Crew invite you to share a message with a member(s) of the cast and/or crew, or advertise your business in the program. Messages will appear in the program for the fall comedy. Purchase here.