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Step outside with seasons 1 and 2 and enjoy a solo shakespeare adventure…
The Soliloquy Project is a GVSF original podcast which will allow you to engage with both Shakespeare and the outdoors (our two favourite things!) while staying safe and socially distanced this winter.
We've created audio-only performances of some of Shakespeare's best soliloquies, specially designed to be listened to 'on location' in a variety of spots around the Victoria area! (You’ll find the specific locations listed below!)
Each performance will be accompanied by a more traditional podcast episode, featuring Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett, and UVic Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly, as they take you on an educational 'deep dive' into Shakespeare's text.
Season 3 is created with a slightly different purpose… to be announced soon!
You can find all episodes Of The Soliloquy Project on your favourite podcasting app!
You can listen to each pair of episodes in either order! Every odd numbered episode features a soliloquy performance, and is followed by an even numbered episode which will take an educational ‘deep dive’ into each soliloquy! Whether you want to prepare for your soliloquy experience by learning about the piece beforehand, or, dive into the performance with an open mind and learn about the final details afterwards; the choice is yours!
SEASON THREE
Season Three spotlights some of Shakespeare’s forgotten women. This mini-season is the perfect primer to listen to in preparation for our staged reading of CONSTANCE, debuting at the Metro Studio Theatre on October 16th.
Season Three, Episode 1 features Karen Lee Pickett performing the Countess’s speech, from Act 1, Scene 3, of All’s Well That Ends Well.
In Season Three, Episode 2, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly chat about the soliloquy featured in Season Three, Episode One. What is the significance of the countess's speech? How does it fit into the folktale of All's Well That Ends Well?
Season Three, Episode 3 features Ariel Slack performing Katherine’s speech, from Act 2, Scene 4 of Henry VIII.
In Season Three, Episode 4, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly chat about Katherine’s soliloquy, and it’s place in the very rarely staged Henry VIII, otherwise known as “All Is True”.
Season Three, Episode 5 features Sheila Landahl performing Constance’s speech, from Act 3, Scene 4 of King John.
In Season Three, Episode 6, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly are joined by Sheila Landahl, co-author of CONSTANCE, to chat about this character and why she never should have been forgotten.
SEASON TWO
Season Two features soliloquies exclusively from
Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
Season Two, Episode 1 features SJ Valiquette performing Orlando’s opening speech of the play.
In Season Two, Episode 2, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly chat about As You Like It's opening speech. Why open a play in the middle of a conversation? How does this set the tone for the rest of the play? And what makes the name Orlando so significant?
Season Two, Episode 3 features Wendy Magahay performing Adam’s speech, from Act 2, Scene 3.
In Season Two, Episode 4, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly chat about Adam’s warning to Orlando, breaking down and investigating both the language and contextual meaning of the speech.
Season Two, Episode 5 features Taylor Lewis performing Jaques’ speech, from Act 2, Scene 7.
In Season Two, Episode 6, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly chat about Jaques’ witty retelling of his forest encounter, the meaning of ‘fool’, and what ‘lady fortune’ has to do with all of this.
Season Two, Episode 7 features Nathaniel Exley performing Rosalind’s speech, from Act 3, Scene 2.
In Season Two, Episode 8, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly chat about the concept of ‘love melancholy’ and the malady of love in Rosalind’s speech to Orlando.
Season Two, Episode 9 features Danica Charlie performing Phebe's “I would not be thy executioner”; a soliloquy from Act Three, Scene Five.
In Season Two, Episode 10, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly unpack the invention of the sonnet and Phebe’s purpose in As You Like It.
For the full experience, take yourself on a solo Shakespearean adventure, and listen on location!
SEASON TWO LOCATIONS
To listen to Season Two, Episodes 1 and 2 on location: Enter Circle Drive off of Douglas Street, in Beacon Hill Park. Continue along Circle Drive, and pass the Petting Zoo. Just after the Petting Zoo, you will see to your left a grassy expanse with trees in the distance, lined by a low wooden fence against which vehicles sometimes park. Walk up to the fence, (with the Petting Zoo to your right), and look out at these trees while you listen. During the soliloquy, breathe in the fresh air, and notice the scents you experience. Can you imagine the scent of freshly chopped wood?
To listen to Season Two, Episodes 3 and 4 on location: Head to Craigdarroch Castle just off of Fort Street on Joan. Walk up the main driveway and head to the rear of the castle (the south side). Stand facing the castle and you'll see there's a rear entrance on your right. Walk toward it and you'll discover a few steps going down to the door. Tuck yourself into the stairwell and imagine you're waiting for someone very important to you to arrive. While you listen to the soliloquy, realize that those inside have no idea you're there.
To listen to Season Two, Episodes 5 and 6 on location: take yourself to Míqәn (Colonially know as Beacon Hill Park). Enter the park on the south (water) side, a few minutes' walk West from Cook Street. Turn right into the park at the first crosswalk or just a few steps past it using Camas Crescent. The Story Pole will be in front of you, which was created by Ted Shaw, Mungo Martin, David Martin, and Kwakiutl carver Henry Hunt in 1956, repaired by Coast Salish artist Master Seaman Vern Point in 2001, and repainted by Calvin Hunt (Henry Hunt’s Grandson) in 2011. Stand at its base for a moment and take it in. There's a chip path to the right. Take it for a few steps, just until you feel yourself in the forest. To listen stand, or if able, sit on the split rail fence. If the weather obliges, turn your face toward the sun. Míqәn means “warmed by the sun” in the lək̓ʷəŋən language. If the chip path isn't comfortable for you, there are memorial benches on either side of the Story Pole.
To listen to Season Two, Episodes 7 and 8 on location: turn on to Rock Street from Quadra and follow the signs leading you to Playfair Park. If walking, you'll reach the park is less than five minutes. Playfair Park is a protected ecosystem, and is home to a rare Garry Oak meadow and hundreds of mature azaleas and rhododendrons located in Saanich. From the parking lot, follow the path toward the children's playground. A few steps beyond the playground, you'll come to two memorial benches tucked in on your right. Take a seat. In front of you now are the oak trees and, on a clear day, you can see the hills beyond.
To listen to Season Two, Episodes 9 and 10 on location: make your way to Kosapsom Park at the beginning of the Gorge Waterway walking path, at the intersection of Admirals Road and Gorge Road. (The Number 11 bus route will take you here. If driving, you will find a small parking lot at Kosapsum Park off of Gorge Road). Find a large brick circle in the pavement, and position yourself in the middle of it. As you listen, walk slowly from the center of this circle, down the Gorge Waterway path. Notice the garden areas to your left, and the expanse of water to your right. If you like, step onto the grassy area to your left (before the white chain fence begins), and look out over the waterway.
SEASON ONE
Season One, Episode 1 features GVSF favourite Taylor Lewis performing 'O for a muse of fire', a soliloquy from Henry V.
In Season One, Episode 2, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly talk about the meanings, intricacies, and relevance of the 'O for a muse of fire' soliloquy, featured in Episode 1.
In Season One, Episode 3, you’ll hear GVSF’s longest running member Cam Culham perform ‘Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile’ from As You Like It.
And, in Season One, Episode 4, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly talk about romance, magic, and other themes found in the ‘Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile’ soliloquy from Episode 3 .
In Season One, Episode 5, Wendy Magahay performs Queen Margaret’s ‘Be woe for me, more wretched than he’, from Henry VI, Part 2.
In Season One, Episode 6, Karen and Dr. Erin talk about significant moments in ‘Be woe for me’, giving context and complexity to the performance in Episode 5.
Season One, Episode 7 features Willis Taylor performing ‘Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus'; a soliloquy from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
In Season One, Episode 8, Karen and Dr. Erin explore the awareness of 'history' in Shakespeare's 'Histories', and chat about what this means for ‘Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus'; the soliloquy featured in Episode 7.
Finally, in Season One, Episode 9, Adrienne Smook performs 'I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth'; a soliloquy from one of Shakespeare's most famous plays: Hamlet.
In Season One, Episode 10, Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Shakespeare scholar Dr. Erin Kelly close out our first season with a chat about 'What is really going on for Hamlet?' in one of Shakespeare's most famous soliloquies, featured in Episode 9.
SEASON ONE LOCATIONS
To listen to Season One, Episodes 1 and 2 on location: (NOTE: Unfortunately, this space may have been significantly changed by recent construction.) Head to our regular performance space at Camosun College, Lansdowne Campus. Turn into the Camosun parking lot off Lansdowne Road. About half way into the parking lot on your right hand side, you will find a paved path leading into an open grassy space. Head into this open space, and walk off the path toward the cluster of bushes and trees in the middle of this small open field. (These are the trees which are usually the backdrop for our summer performances). When you arrive at the trees, turn toward the Wilna Thomas building, listen to this soliloquy, and look toward the grassy slopes in front of you where an audience could gather.
To listen to Season One, Episodes 3 and 4 on location: make your way to the big parking lot at Henderson Recreation Center on Cedar Hill Road. With your back to the sign for Henderson Centre, cross Cedar Hill and enter the large treed area. Follow the long gravel road toward the tree line for four or five minutes, until you see a trail on your right hand side, leading to a large set of stairs. (This staircase is just before you'd arrive at UVic Parking Lot #1). Walk down the stairs, and find a small wooden footbridge beside a sign reading 'Mystic Vale'. With your back to that sign, look up at the tall towering trees and listen to this piece.
To listen to Season One, Episodes 5 and 6 on location: go to St Anne's Academy. You can enter the grounds through the main gate at 835 Humboldt or through the side gate where Blanshard Street meets Academy Close. Head toward the main building. Walk through the parking lot to the right of the building to get to the rear of the building. You are now south of the building. Walk across the small paved area. Ahead you will see two wooden benches. Go to the farthest bench: the second one. If you are able to stand, position yourself behind the bench. You are facing the older part of the building now. If you look up to the right, you will see the cross on the old convent steeple. Place both your hands on the bench. Stand still while you listen. If you prefer to sit while listening, move to the front of the bench. Sit on the far right end. Place your feet together and hold your hands together in your lap. Stay still while you listen.
To listen to Season One, Episodes 7 and 8 on location: make your way downtown, to the corner of Quebec St. and Menzies St., beside the Legislature building. Enter onto the paved Legislature grounds off of Menzies, almost directly across from Quebec. Walk toward the main steps of the Legislature for a few moments, and then take the path to your left, which follows the border of the grassy front lawn. Soon, you will see an evergreen tree on the right side of the path. Position yourself near this tree, so that you can look toward the front steps of the Legislature, while maintaining a feeling of distance.
To listen to Season One, Episode 9 and 10 on location: head to the top of PKOLS (colonially known as Mt. Doug), either by foot or vehicle. (Note that the vehicle access is closed before noon, and all day on holidays!) Head up the trail heading north. There, you will find a large cement look out point. Position yourself in such a way as to look northward and see the forests on and around PKOLS, and the ocean beyond. During the soliloquy, consider turning around to see the communities of people beyond stretching out below.
Season Two Credits
‘As I remember, Adam, it was upon this fashion’ is performed by SJ Valiquette.
‘O Unhappy Youth’ is performed by Wendy Magahay.
The beautiful song in our bonus episode is written and performed by Willis Taylor.
‘A Fool! A Fool!’ is performed by Taylor Lewis.
‘There is none of my uncle’s marks upon you.’ is performed by Nathaniel Exley.
‘I would not be thy executioner’ is performed by Danica Charlie.
Season One Credits
‘O For a Muse of Fire’ is performed by Taylor Lewis.
‘Now, My Co-Mates and Brothers in Exile’ is performed by Cam Culham.
‘Be Woe for Me, More Wretched than He Is’ is performed by Wendy Magahay.
‘Why, Man, He doth Bestride the Narrow World Like a Colossus’ is performed by Willis Taylor.
‘I Have of Late, but Wherefore I Know Not, Lost all my Mirth’ is performed by Adrienne Smook.
Sound design and intro music by Taylor Lewis.
Season One music by Robina Ritchie-Barker: https://robinaritchiebarker.com/
Educational episodes feature Artistic Director Karen Lee Pickett and Dr. Erin Kelly
As is the case with many performing arts organizations, we are faced with a serious shortfall of revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis. Despite this challenge, it is our priority to create accessible Shakespearean experiences in a time when so many are struggling, so we are releasing The Soliloquy Project free of charge for everyone to enjoy.
If you are able to support the Festival, please consider making a donation. We greatly appreciate your continued support!