A classic Jacobean tragedy is being retold in the style of 1970s kung fu cinema in a new production at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
The Five Vengeances, presented by Affair of Honour, opens the Shadbolt Centre’s 2022/23 season with a run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1.
The play stars 11 actor-fighters — all of whom have been training in Wushu over the past year to bring the violent comic romp to life.
Leading the way are two Burnaby residents, Nathania Bernabe and Jackie T. Hanlin, who serve as fight choreographers and take starring roles.
Bernabe is Fury, a master swordswoman seeking to avenge the death or her bride-to-be, Bella (played by Elizabeth Young). With the help of Bella’s sister, Shotgun (Hanlin), Fury takes on the treacherous royal family of the Northern Lands to exact her vengeance on Bella’s murderer, the all-powerful Overlord (Chirag Naik).
Two New Westminster performers, Howard Dai and Lissa Neptuno, are also in the cast.
They’re joined by Evelyn Chew, Aurora Rain, Katrina Teitz, Kenneth Tynan and Nicholas Yee.
The show is written and directed by Jovanni Sy.
Audiences can catch a preview night on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m., or nightly shows from Tuesday, Sept. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15 to $25, available through the Shadbolt Centre ticket centre online.
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