Land Acknowledgement
The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival creates and performs on the land of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We respect the relationship they continue to have with the land to this day, and the strength of their generational resilience in the face of ongoing, systemic colonial violence and genocide. We are committed to the continual process of unlearning deeply embedded notions of white supremacy and colonial racism, and to continuing to become better allies wherever we can. We ask that you consider your relationship to this land as well and remember that every settler is responsible for dismantling the colonial genocide that Indigenous people continue to face.
Greetings from Mayor Marianne Alto
On behalf of the City of Victoria, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival! Victorian’s are pleased to host this exciting event that brings together people of diverse ages, cultures and economic backgrounds - to feel inspired by Shakespeare’s works. Festivals like this contribute to our diverse community and foster connections through arts, culture and literature.
Thank you to the volunteers and participants for dedicating their time to make this event possible. We appreciate your commitment to include local businesses, educators and residents to recognize and celebrate the theatre and arts in our community.
I hope you enjoy the theatrical expertise for this year’s 2024 summer season production of Much Ado about Nothing!
Marianne Alto
Victoria Mayor
Production Credits
Willow Hayes, Francis G. Matheu, Maddy Kirstein Co-Artistic Producers
Willis Taylor Director, Composer
Alison Roberts Choreographer
SJ Valiquette Fight & Intimacy Director
Sarah Shepherd Costumer
Jesse Deutscher Stage Manager
Megs Schneider Assistant Stage Manager
Francis G. Matheu Assistant Director
Sophie Taylor Props Coordinator, Hair and Makeup, and Costumer Assistant.
Lu Smith Front of House Coordinator
Board of Directors
Ali Gaul President
Brooke Gallup Vice President
Cam Culham Treasurer
Asa O’Connor-Jaeckel Secretary
Grace Martin Board Member
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS:
Allison Balabuch, Shona Slack, Ian Case, Lori Fisher
Cast List
Ian Case Benedick
Aidan Guerreiro Don John
*Rosemary Jeffery Beatrice
Ryan Kniel Dogberry
Wendy Magahay Leonata
Grace Martin Hero/Sexton
Nette Martin Antonia/The Watch
Michelle Morris Don Pedro
Kai Tawil-Morsink Claudio
Hannah Ockenden Friar/Balthazar/Messenger
Sophia Radford Margaret/Conrade
Andrew Shepherd Borachio
Sarah Shepherd Verges/Ursula
*The participation of these artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance, Opera, Theatre policy.
Director’s Notes
By Willis Taylor
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”
― Oscar Wilde
Much Ado About Nothing has always been my favourite Shakespeare play. Ever since I was a not so shy 12-year-old, which volunteered to go up on stage to do a scene at the end of a performance of Julius Caesar, I have been captivated by the masks we put on to perform as actors and as humans. In this years play I chose Italy in the 20’s as a setting, because there are so many ambiguous situations in that moment in history. The Mafia control much of Sicily but they are fighting, with the unions, against the fascism of Mussolini who was seen as worse than Hitler at the time. The fascists see themselves as defenders of order against chaos and crime. The people trying to get on with living in poverty stricken, post war, conditions are caught between these powers and looking to survive.
In our play people put on different masks to trick others for good intentions and bad. The masks people wear are sometimes simply to survive a great wrong, pretend they are happy alone, to pursue a dodgy agenda or sometimes to bring people into “a mountain of affection” for each other. But fate sometimes has a way of stripping away our masks and laying all bare, in this case, in the funniest ways possible.
In the end the losing our masks and gaining a greater knowledge of ourselves can bring hope and healing and deeper understanding of who we are as individuals and together. But, as with all loss, Losing our masks doesn’t always come without some painful lessons and some willingness to forgive and move on, whether that is together or separately. I've loved directing this version of Much Ado and I'm sure, with the stellar talent on display in all departments of this show, You will enjoy it too.
Synopsis
by Willis Taylor
In 1920's Sicily, amidst the vibrant atmosphere of a post-war period, "Much Ado About Nothing" unfolds against the backdrop of a luxurious estate owned by a wealthy Sicilian noblewoman, Leonata. She is part of a larger Mafia family led by Don Pedro. Don Pedro returns victorious from skirmishes with his traitorous brother’s and Mussolini’s men and plans to stay at Leonata’s for a while before returning to his own estate. Leonata’s estate, reminiscent of the opulence of the Mediterranean, with its sprawling gardens and elegant architecture, becomes the stage for love, deception, and wit.
The plot revolves around two pairs of lovers: the sharp-witted Beatrice and the cynical Benedick, and the young Hero and the gallant Claudio. Claudio and Hero fall in love and plan to marry. Don Pedro attempts to matchmake his man Benedick with Beatrice and plays a lighthearted trick on them both to help them fall in love. However, the merriment is interrupted by the malicious plotting of Don Pedro's jealous brother, Don John, who schemes to ruin Claudio and Hero's impending marriage out of spite.
Meanwhile the city Watch, led by Constable Dogberry and the mysterious Sexton uncovers Don John’s plot but seemingly too late! Is all love’s labour lost? Will Don John get away with his evil plan? Will Hero be sent away without a husband? Will Benedict ever see a bachelor of threescore again? Find out soon in this thrilling version of Much Ado about nothing.
Company Biographies
Ian Case
Benedick
In 1984, after seeing Anthony Sher’s Richard III, Ian knew theatre was his calling. He studied acting at UVic and went to work with Theatre Inconnu on Shakespeare in 1991 and later co-founded the Victoria Shakespeare Festival in 1995. Ian started Giggling Iguana Productions in 1998 and produced shows first at the McPherson Playhouse and then at Craigdarroch Castle. He was Intrepid Theatre’s General Manager for a decade before becoming Director of the Farquhar at UVic. Ian has acted, directed, written and produced for many companies, on many stages including a number of shows with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival.
Rosemary Jeffery
Beatrice
Rosemary is a Victoria based (lək̓ʷəŋən traditional territory) theatre artist. She is delighted to make her debut performance with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival in Much Ado about Nothing.
Early musical influences from her Spanish and Jamaican heritage inspired training in vocal studies (University of Calgary) & Theatre Arts (Mount Royal College) with explorations in care and performance clowning.
Recent & selected theatre credits include:
Chemainus Theatre festival, Ghost the Musical
Attitude Theatre- Billy Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill by Lanie Robertson
Shakespeare’s Will- by Vern Thiessen
Theatre Inconnu - Blackrider & the Casting of the Magic bullets by Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs.
Kai Tawil-Morsink
Claudio
Kai Tawil-Morsink (he/him) likes Shakespeare a lot. Currently a graduate student in geology at the University of Victoria, he spends his free time on recreational Shakespeare text analysis classes. After playing Parolles in last summer’s All’s Well That Ends Well, he is thrilled to be participating in this year’s Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival!
Grace Lila Martin
Hero / Sexton
Grace Lila Martin (she/her) is grateful and ecstatic to be in her sixth GVSF production! She started as a Jr. Company member in 2018 and is now a Victoria Shakespeare Society board member. After graduating from the Canadian College of Performing Arts, she toured up-island with her one-woman show, Lucky Casanova, and trained with the Second City Training Center in Toronto before returning home to the West Coast to continue to work in local film and theatre. Enjoy the show!
Michelle Morris
Don Pedro
Michelle is an actor, theatre artist, and educator based on the West Coast of BC. She is a graduate of Studio 58, holds her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Victoria, and currently serves as Artistic Associate at Beanstalk Theatre Company. Selected credits include: Miracle on 34th Street (Chemainus Theatre Festival), Gibson & Sons (Townsite Actors Guild), Our Town, Proof (Peninsula Productions), The Sea (Slamming Door Collective), A Christmas Carol (Gateway Theatre), As You Like It (Studio 58), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet (Victoria Shakespeare Festival), 42nd Street (Theatre Under the Stars).
Aidan Guerreiro
Don John
Aidan Guerreiro is a performer and arts administrator. This is his fourth season with the GVSF, having performed in Cymbeline, As You Like It and All's Well That Ends Well. Aidan recently had his directorial debut with The Funeral Plot (Bragi Theatre). He is excited to be back with the festival this year!
Wendy Magahay
Leonata
Wendy is a long-time theatre artist based in Victoria (lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Territory) where favourite credits include Calling Home: Stories from Military Families (Snafu Dance Theatre), The Incredible Glowing Woman (Hapax Theatre), It’s Just Black Hair (University of Victoria), Jocasta Regina (Theatre Inconnu), The Shadow in the Water (Outpost 31), and Old Lady’s Guide to Survival (Bēma Productions).
This is Wendy’s fifth production with the festival where she’s also worked as cast mentor and Shakespeare educator. Having played Prospera in The Tempest (another favourite: GVSF 2018), Wendy welcomes the chance to further explore what develops when we play Shakespeare’s men as women.
Ryan Kniel
Dogberry
Ryan is so excited to be joining this amazing cast for his first season with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival. Originally from South Surrey, Ryan moved to Victoria to pursue a BFA in Theatre Performance from UVic, which he earned in 2022. Ryan’s recent productions include Sisters (Theatre Inconnu), Game:Play (Belfry Theatre), SURVIVORS (Victoria Holocaust Theatre), Bedsprings (Victoria One Act Play Festival), Absinthe, Bourbon, Vodka, and Sake (Bema Productions), and historical plays at the BC Legislature’s Parliamentary Players program. He hopes you enjoy the show.
Andrew Shepherd
Borachio
Andrew is an actor, playwright and theatre technician trained in and currently based in Victoria, BC. This is his first time working with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival. His previous credits on stage include: Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen (Alectoria Productions), Carpet (Timetheft Theatre Company - Fringe 2023), The Waste Land, Love and Information (Phoenix Theatre), Death by Horoscope (UVic Student Alternative Theatre Company). When not performing, Andrew works as a freelance stage technician, and at a local elementary school as a leader for before and after-school care. Enjoy the show.
Sophia Radford
Margaret / Conrade / Watch
Sophia Radford is an actor and musician making her GVSF debut with this show! She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria. Select credits include The Guardsman (Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre), Survivors (Victoria Holocaust Theatre), The Audition (Theatre Inconnu) and Shakespeare’s Women (Phoenix Theatre). She is honored to be performing on the beautiful lands of the Lekwungen people, also known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
Nette Martin
Antonia
Nette is a Drama Educator, Director and Performer. She holds BEd and BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria, as well as a MEd specializing in Theatre Pedagogy, from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Nette fell in love with working in theatre as a teen and has never looked back. She is thrilled to be back on the other side of the production table, after several years away from acting to focus on directing and raising her kids. Nette is excited to bring Antonia to life as a female character and mother, rather than the traditional male role.
Sarah Shepherd
Verges / Ursula
Sarah (any pronouns) is a theatre creator originally from Algonquin Territory and Treaty 7 Territory. This is Sarah’s first show with GVSF, and they are so excited to be here! They are passionate about accessible theatre, ‘queering’ Shakespeare, and pushing the boundaries of what theatre can be and accomplish. Previous credits include: Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen (Alectoria Productions), Phantom Pains, (WAFTCo) Bruised Fruit (Iuvenis Productions), Vinegar Tom (Phoenix Theatre), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Green World Theatre Company). To see more of Sarah’s work, come check out the Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen remount with the Victoria Fringe Festival in August!
Hannah Ockenden
Friar Francis / Balthazar / Messenger
Hannah could not be happier to be back again with GVSF playing outside in the sun and wind, sharing a story with all of you! Hannah has worked on stage and behind the scenes in theatre and film in Victoria, as well as touring in Europe and Asia with theatre in education companies. Some past personal highlights include Julia in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Helen in All’s Well That Ends Well here in Victoria, and playing Diana and assistant directing South Pacific for Calgary Opera. You can see Hannah again in Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen in the upcoming Victoria Fringe.
Willis Taylor
Director/Composer/Music Director
This dazzling, music-filled production will be directed by GVSF favourite Willis Taylor. Willis first appeared in the GVSF as the Duke of Milan in Two Gentlemen of Verona (2019), and subsequently as the king in Cymbeline (2021) and as Jaques in As You Like It (2022), also writing and directing the music for both those productions. His career began in the UK, where he trained at the Young Vic, and has spanned 30 years of teaching, singing, directing, and acting in Shakespeare.
Willow Hayes
Co-Artistic Producer
Willow Hayes (they/them) is a queer and trans settler of Welsh, Irish, and British ancestry. Willow was born and raised on the stolen territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples (the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) and the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, and currently lives in sxʷeŋ’xʷəŋ taŋ’exw (James Bay). They are a producer, performer, stage manager, and administrator with a passion for baking tasty treats to share with loved ones. While it has taken some time (and many bribes), they have successfully befriended the local crows, and cherish long strolls through the neighborhood with their dog Mija.
Maddy Hooson-Kirstein
Co-Artistic Producer
Maddy (any/all), a theatre artist specializing in community-centered stage management and immersive storytelling, aspires to create spaces that give artists the strength and support to share their art. In 2018, they established the Alectoria School of Magic, a live-action roleplaying camp designed to create a safe environment and inspire creativity among young people throughout Vancouver Island. The camp's emphasis was on teaching youth that embracing magic can liberate their expression in spontaneous and joyful way. Their theatre credits include GVSF’s 2023 All’s Well That Ends Well (ASM), iuvenis Production’s 2023 season (SM), and Collectivus Theatre’s Summer Bucket List (SM).
Francis G. Matheu
Co-Artistic Producer/Asst. Director
Francis is a Filipino theatre artist who recently debuted as a director/actor in North America via Theatre Inconnu’s production of Pepe. In Manila, he founded Twin Bill Theater in 2013 and served as its Managing and Artistic Director/Producer until 2021. In Victoria, he directed Vinegar Tom for Phoenix Theatre (2023) and was assistant director for Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre’s Misery (2023) and Hedda Gabler (2022.) He is set to direct Animal Farm for Lawyers On Stage Association and co-direct Imprint: 2024 for Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. Francis holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Victoria.
Alison Roberts
Choreographer
Alison is a graduate of UVic, CCPA, the Banff/Citadel Professional Theatre Program, and Harbour Dance’s Intensive Training Program. Select performance credits: Crazy For You (Citadel, Theatre Calgary), Spamalot, Beauty & the Beast (Arts Club), Mamma Mia (Citadel), West Side Story (Citadel, Vancouver Opera, Rainbow Stage), Singing in the Rain (Capitol Theatre), Drowsy Chaperone (Langham/Phoenix). Select creative team credits: Spring Awakening (Phoenix), Classic Country Roads (Chemainus), Mamma Mia, Beauty & the Beast (VOS), Matilda (OBH). She is currently back at UVic working towards her Teaching Certification and looks forward to sharing her passion for theatre and dance with her future students.
SJ Valiquette
Fight and Intimacy Director
SJ Valiquette (she/ they) is a performer, poet, photographer, and beekeeper from Treaty Seven Territory. They are very excited to be back with GVSF for their fourth season.
Jesse Deutscher
Stage Manager
Jesse Deutscher is honoured to be returning to the festival in a new capacity as stage manager. This production will be Jesse’s first baby step back into the theatre world since before the pandemic began, and they can’t think of a better group of folks to be working with. Previous credits with GVSF include acting in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet (both 2015), and in The Winter’s Tale (2016), for which they also provided music direction. This one, as always, is dedicated to the late, great Susie Mullen.
Megs Schneider
Assist. Stage Manager
Megs (they/she) is a Cree theatre artist from treaty 6 Mohkinatis territory. Since moving to Victoria in 2018 to begin their BFA in theatre Megs has developed a diverse toolkit, and taken a liking to site specific and outdoor theatre, most recently as associate producer of Alectoria Productions (Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen). They are absolutely thrilled to be making their festival debut with their favourite shakespearean comedy. Ever grateful for the experience, she hopes you enjoy the show.
Sarah Shepherd
Costumer
Sarah (any pronouns) is a theatre creator originally from Algonquin Territory and Treaty 7 Territory. This is Sarah’s first show with GVSF, and they are so excited to be here! They are passionate about accessible theatre, ‘queering’ Shakespeare, and pushing the boundaries of what theatre can be and accomplish. Previous credits include: Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen (Alectoria Productions), Phantom Pains, (WAFTCo) Bruised Fruit (Iuvenis Productions), Vinegar Tom (Phoenix Theatre), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Green World Theatre Company). To see more of Sarah’s work, come check out the Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen remount with the Victoria Fringe Festival in August!
sophie Taylor
Props Coordinator, Costumer Assist., Hair and Makeup
Fi Taylor (they/she) is a theatre artist currently residing in Victoria (lək̓ʷəŋən territory). She recently finished up her third year in the Performance sector of the UVic Theatre Department, but also has a passion for prop creation and design, especially when it comes to the 1920s! Some of their previous prop-related credits include Pepe (2023, Theatre Inconnu), The Importance of Being Earnest (2023, UVic Phoenix Production), and Spring Awakening (2022, UVic Phoenix Production). They feel very honoured to have worked on this show, and hope people love it as much as they do!
* The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.
Content warnings include: Prop guns/weapons, and threatening language/actions.
