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Lovin’ Shakespeare-style at the castle

Shakespeare Society brings some of the Bard's sweetest scenes to Craigdarroch for Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare In Love
Cam Culham busts out some of the Bard’s best moves on Amy Lee-Radigan at Craigdarroch Castle. The two are among thespians to perform Shakespearian love scenes throughout the castle during Shakespeare in Love, a show and fundraiser for the Victoria Shakespeare Society running until Feb. 15.

There will be lots of loving in the rooms at Craigdarroch Castle starting this weekend and the public is invited to watch.

Castle rooms set the backdrop for Giggling Iguana Production’s Shakespeare in Love: Scenes of Love from Shakespeare, benefitting the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival.

Love scenes, songs and a sonnet from six of William Shakespeare’s works will be performed in six different rooms while the audience moves throughout the castle to watch each one.

“It’s a really exciting way to see the castle,” says Shakespeare festival producer and Shakespeare in Love director Karen Lee Pickett. “If you’re looking for something romantic and unique to do with your significant other, or someone you hope will become a significant other, this is a great way.”

Scenes from Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew and Henry the V are some of the plays to be performed. Five local actors, all of whom are well-versed in Shakespeare productions, have been cast. They are: Cam Culham, Amy Lee Radigan, Adam Holbroyd, Susie Mullen and Noelle Antonsen. Each scene involves two or three actors, so each performer will appear in several scenes.

“It gives them the opportunity to do these little snippets of a play which they hardly get to do, except in a class,” Pickett says. “It’s exciting to work on different characters and in different places and experience different shows.”

Shakespeare in Love builds on the momentum of last year’s event at Craigdarroch Castle with a different selection of scenes for 2014. The style of show was originally staged in 2001 by Giggling Iguana Productions’ Ian Case, also a Shakespeare Society board member. It was resurrected last year as an annual fundraiser for the society.

The Victoria Shakespeare Society is currently planning for their upcoming, 24th season, but Pickett was mum on what can be expected this year.

“Come see the show and you will get a heads up on the season,” Pickett says.

Shakespeare in Love opens Feb. 7 and plays Feb. 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Showtime is 8 p.m. Reservations are required and there is a limit of 50 audience members per show. The show runs about one hour and refreshments and desserts will be served in the dining room afterwards.

There is no seating during he performance and the castle is not wheelchair accessible. Attendees are required to walk 87 stairs.

Craigdarroch Castle: 1050 Joan Crescent. General admission: $28, castle members: $25.Tickets at thecastle.ca or 250-592-5323.