Author Archives: Katherine Belyea

NON-UNION; PAYING

Poculi Ludique Societas (PLS) presents

Dame Sirith

A short medieval Interlude

Poculi Ludique Societas (PLS), Toronto’s renowned medieval and renaissance players, is a non-profit, non-Equity theatre company affiliated with the University of Toronto, dedicated to the production of early plays for research and entertainment.

Performance dates:

• New Chaucer Society banquet: July 13 2018
• Public performances: July 20-22

Rehearsals will begin in mid June, schedule TBD depending on actors’ availability.

Dame Sirith is a very short, very silly comic medieval play for four actors: a randy priest, the gullible woman he lusts after, the old “witch” Dame Sirith, and the narrator / puppeteer who also plays a dog. The text has been “lightly modernized” from the original Middle English. After the first production as in mid July 2018, PLS plans to keep this show in our repertory for future performances in classrooms or for events, so we are looking for local, non-union Toronto actors who can be available with reasonable notice. Honoraria will be paid for all performances.

We are looking for diverse actors who are comfortable with speaking verse. There may be cross-gender casting. Clown or puppetry experience would be helpful, but not necessary.

Auditions: by appointment Thursday May 31, Friday June 1, Saturday June 2.

Please submit your photo and resume as soon as possible to director@plspls.ca (with subject line: Auditions) to arrange an audition time. Come prepared with a short monologue.

The Annual General Meeting of Poculi Ludique Societas will be held on Friday, May 4, 1-3pm, in Room 103 of the Lillian Massey Building, 125 Queen’s Park at the corner of Bloor and Avenue Rd. Come and hear what we’ve been up to, and what we’re planning for next year! Refreshments will be provided, and an agenda is enclosed.

David Klausner, Chair
Board of Directors
 

1. Welcome and Approval of 2017 Minutes: David Klausner, Chair
2. Artistic Director’s Report: Linda Phillips
3. Office Manager Report: Katherine Belyea
4. Financial Report
   • Financial Statements for May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018
5. 2017-2018 Season
   1. The Towneley Second Shepherds’ Play
   2. Performance at The New Chaucer Society 2018 Congress
6. Update on Upcoming 2018-2019 Season
   1. Christmas show
   2. Marston’s The Dutch Courtesan co-production with Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
7. Audience Development
8. Plans for 2019 and Beyond
   • Kalamazoo 2019?
9. Other Business
10. Adjournment

It’s nearly here! The Second Shepherds’ Play runs this Friday (8pm), Saturday (8pm) and Sunday (2pm). Tickets will be available for cash at the door of the Luella Massey Studio Theatre (4 Glen Morris St) or can be reserved in advance. More information is available further down this page or on the Facebook event. See you there!

Please note that latecomers cannot be admitted.

Rehearsal photo with special guests…

Rehearsals and preparations continue for Second Sheps! Here’s our lovely poster.

Male (or any gender playing male) actors are still needed for the roles of Shepherds and Mak the sheep thief.

Auditions by appointment only November 2 to November 7, 2017 (or until the roles are filled).

Please email your resume and photo as soon as possible to director@plspls.ca (with subject line: Auditions) to book your audition time and location. Come prepared with a short monologue.

Please see below for the relevant information from the original audition notice.

AUDITION CALL
NON-UNION

Poculi Ludique Societas (PLS) presents

A Medieval Comedy for Christmas

The Second Shepherds’ Play

Performance dates: December 14 to 17, 2017

The Project:

Toronto’s renowned medieval and renaissance players, PLS is a non-profit, non-Equity theatre company affiliated with the University of Toronto, dedicated to the production of early plays for research and entertainment. See more at www.plspls.ca

The Second Shepherds’ Playis one of the most popular medieval Biblical comedies, written by the anonymous author called the Wakefield Master. Part of the collection of plays in the Towneley manuscript, it tells the story of the three shepherds who are the first to bring gifts to the Christ child, but only after a hilarious slapstick comedic romp involving the sheep-thief Mak and his wife Jill. This production will be based on the modernized script by David Parry and directed by PLS Artistic Director Linda Phillips.

Clown/physical comedy or stage combat training an asset but not required. Students are encouraged to audition.

What we’re looking for:

• Shepherds: male or cross-cast. They sing (badly).
• Mak: male, sneaky thief

Rehearsals:

Will take place during evenings and weekends beginning November 11, 2017

Poculi Ludique Societas and Pneuma Ensemble present two rare works by medieval women writers

Bisclaveret: The Tale of the Werewolf, by Marie de France (12th century)

In “Lai de Bisclaveret” Pneuma Ensemble presents Marie de France’s classic anglo-norman werewolf tale of love, betrayal, human kindness, and revenge. The Baron, handsome and loved by all, including the King, has a secret: for three days every week; he disappears to the darkest part of the forest to become a werewolf. His wife betrays him, stealing his hidden clothing so that he cannot change back and marrying a knight who had long pursued her. Trapped in wolf shape, the Baron must find a way to return to court and wreak his revenge. The tale is told troubador-style with period music.

Dulcitius, or Sex in the Kitchen, by Hrotsvit of Gandersheim (10th Century)

Dulcitius is a fast-paced one act tragicomedy written in the 10th century by the nun Hrotsvit of Gandersheim. The production will be using a new translation by Dr. Colleen Butler from the original Latin. This rarely performed play tells the story of three virgin sisters who refuse to give up their Christian faith at the order of the emperor Diocletian. They are persecuted by various Roman officials but their prayers save them from sexual assault by the governor Dulcitius who becomes the victim of a hallucination in which he attempts to have sex with the pots and pans in the kitchen. Eventually the Romans are all foiled and the sisters achieve their desire to become martyrs for their faith.

Dates

• Friday, April 7, 8 pm
• Saturday April 8, 8 pm
• Sunday April 9, 2 pm

Location

Luella Massey Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris St, Toronto

Tickets

• $20 / Senior $15 / Student $10
• Available at the door (cash payments only)
• Reservations: 416-978-5096
• Order online

NON-UNION, NON-PAYING
NB: You must be able to travel to the USA in May 2017

Poculi Ludique Societas (PLS) presents

DULCITIUS
or Sex in the Kitchen

Performance Dates:

• Toronto: April 6 to 9, 2017
• Kalamazoo, MI, USA: May 13 2017

The Project:

Toronto’s renowned medieval and renaissance players, PLS is a non-profit, non-Equity theatre company affiliated with the University of Toronto, dedicated to the production of early plays for research and entertainment.

Dulcitius is a fast-paced one act tragicomedy written in the 10th century by the nun Hrotsvit of Gandersheim. The production will be using a new translation by Dr. Colleen Butler from the original Latin. This rarely performed play tells the story of three virgin sisters who refuse to give up their Christian faith at the order of the emperor Diocletian. They are persecuted by various Roman officials but their prayers save them from sexual assault by the governor Dulcitius who becomes the victim of a hallucination in which he attempts to have sex with the pots and pans in the kitchen. Eventually the Romans are all foiled and the sisters achieve their desire to become martyrs for their faith.

Dulcitius will be performed for the Medieval Academy of America in Toronto in April and at the International Congress on Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo MI in May. Transportation and lodging will be provided. Students are encouraged to audition.

What we’re looking for:

• Men: Roman officials and soldiers any age
• Women: young looking; able to sing a short hymn

Rehearsals:

Will take place during daytimes, evenings and weekends beginning in March

Audition Dates:

• February 17: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• February 18: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Please email your resume and photo as soon as possible to director@plspls.ca (with subject line: Auditions) to book your audition time. Come prepared with a short monologue. Women will be asked to sing.