Playing May 3 – 13, 2023
The Penelopiad
Written by Margaret Atwood
Directed by Kristen M. Finlay
Stage Managed by Rebecca Cave
“And what did I amount to, once the official version gained ground? An edifying legend. A stick used to beat other women with. Why couldn’t they be as considerate, as trustworthy, as all-suffering as I had been? That was the line they took, the singers, the yarn-spinners. Don’t follow my example! I want to scream in your ears—yes, yours!”
The Penelopiad is a contemporary take on one of the oldest epic adventure tales in existence. Still relevant today, it places Penelope, wife of the fabled Odysseus, at centre stage to share her perspective of her husband’s journey and her life and death as a legend. Sometimes comical, but deeply moving, The Penelopiad reflects on the depth and power of the female experience.
Audience Advisory
Depictions of Violence, Sexuality, and Mature Themes. Suitable for ages 14+
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Penelope | Alora Bowness |
| Telemachus/Maid (Selene) | Stephanie Swensrude |
| Antinous/Maid (Narcissa)/ Suitor 1 | Sarah Spicer |
| Melantho/Oracle/Maid | Samantha Beck |
| Maid (Tanis) | Katie Corrigan |
| Maid (Kerthia) | Karla Martinez |
| Maid (Celandine) | Monica Stewart |
| Naiad Mother/Maid (Iole)/ Suitor | Mandy Stewart |
| Eurycleia | Vivien Bosley |
| Icarius/Maid (Zoe)/Suitor 2 | Angela James-Findlay |
| Odysseus/Maid | Katy Yachimec-Farries |
| Laertes/Maid (Alecto)/ Suitor 3 | Colleen Allen |
| Helen/ Maid (Chloris) | Sarah Wilson |
| Anticleia/Maid (Phasiana)/ Suitor | Katelyn Arthurs |
| Position | Production Team Member |
|---|---|
| Director | Kristen M. Finlay |
| Musical Director | Sally Hunt |
| Assistant Directors | Lucas Anders & John Anderson |
| Choreographer | Anna Pratch |
| Costume Designer | Alodie Larochelle |
| Fight and Intimacy Advisor | Janine Waddell |
| Lighting Designer | Brad Melrose |
| Set Designer | Joan Heys Hawkins |
| Sound Designer | Anne Marie Szucs |
| Assistant Sound Designer | John Anderson |
| Music Composition | Gibson Finlay & Kristen Finlay |
| Production Manager | Lauren Gagnon |
| Stage Manager | Rebecca Cave |
| Master Builder | Richard Hatfield |
| Master Painter | Brooke Emberly & Joan Heys Hawkins |
| Properties Master | Debbie Caseburg Tyson |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Adorra Sergios & Lisa Swaren |
| Interim Stage Manager | Cassandra Duval |
| Costume Assistant | Laura Eschak |
| Fight and Intimacy Captain | Sarah Spicer |
| Lighting Operator | Afrah Collier-Potts |
| Sound Operator | Logan Sundquist |
| Build Crew | Adorra Sergios, Ken New, Andrew Selwood, Ed Medeiros |
| Dressers | Geri Dittrich, Alodie Larochelle, Laura Eschak |
| Stitchers | Lisa Swaren, Ava Wood, Geri Dittrich |
| Poster Design | Marissa Loewen |
| Publicity Co-Directors | Jenn Robinson & Tracy Wyman |
| Technical Advisor | Richard Hatfield |
Walterdale Theatre acknowledges that our theatre is located on Treaty 6, a traditional territory of the Cree and has been an important trading place of the Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Dene, Saulteau, and Métis peoples of western Canada for many thousands of years. We also recognize and honour that we are Treaty people and therefore seek to uphold the spirit and intent of this Treaty of Peace and Friendship.