An adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop hits the stage from Oct 19-21 at the Canadian College of the Performing Arts (CCPA). Company C takes on the classic that “was bigger than Harry Potter when it became a breakout hit in 1841.”
Company C is a diploma program at CCPA that allows students to work in a theatrical collective as they develop and mount three separate performances. Professional directors work with the students to help guide the learning and produce the shows.
“We are all members of the production and we all have mentors for the production roles,” says Willie Knauff, who plays Dick Swiveller in the play and has taken on the role of marketing and communications for the production. “Students are either on marketing, lights, music, costuming, props, sets. It really makes the productions a unique experience for us. We have our hand in the production and the performance.”
The Old Curiosity Shop, Company C’s current performance is an original adaptation by playwright Simon Webb and is being directed by Sarah Rodgers. The play tells the story of Little Nell and her grandmother who are on the run from a mysterious and grotesque loan shark, Daniel Quilp. He is out for revenge against the grandmother for debts unpaid. There is a huge cast of Dickensian characters that they meet along their journey.
You can meet a new member of the cast and crew everyday on their Facebook page.
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
Adapted by Simon Webb, Directed by Sarah Rodgers
Company C, Canadian College of Performing Arts, 1701 Elgin Road
Oct. 19 at 7:30pm, Oct. 20/21 at 2pm and 7:30pm and Oct. 22 at 2pm.
Tickets: $16-$25 can be purchased here
