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SCT hosts W.Va.’s only Shakespeare troupe for two shows in Weirton

TO PERFORM IN WEIRTON — Striplight Community Theatre will host West Virginia’s only professional touring Shakespeare troupe, the Rusted Mechanicals, for two performances of “Richard III.” -- Contributed

WEIRTON — Striplight Community Theatre will host Clarksburg’s Vintage Theatre Company for two performances of William Shakespeare’s iconic “Richard III.”

Dubbed “The Naked Villany Tour,” West Virginia’s only traveling Shakespeare troupe, VTC’s Rusted Mechancials, will bring this tale of ambition, lust and treachery to life at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Ashley Marie Playhouse, 3383 Main St.

Friday’s show will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the “Richard III” cast at Mario’s Restaurant.

“We are fortunate to have a great local restaurant just down the road who works with SCT to turn ‘seeing a show’ into a true ‘night out downtown,”’ said Alecia Ford, SCT Treasurer. “We encourage actors and theater enthusiasts from throughout the Ohio Valley to join us for this performance and post-show event.”

“Richard III” tells the tale of a savage civil war between two royal families. The war has just ended, but as the newly installed King Edward takes the reins of power, his ruthless younger brother Richard plans a scheme to claim the crown for himself. Enlisting the aid of duplicitous allies in the court, Richard embarks on a campaign of betrayal, seduction and murder to achieve his goal.

Joshua Brooks headlines the production in the eponymous role of Richard III.

“Playing villains is always the most fun, but there’s an inherent challenge in finding and conveying their humanity,” said Brooks. “With a character like Richard III, the challenge is even greater because he possesses no discernible shreds of decency, compassion, empathy or restraint: a true sociopath.”

Tickets for these performances are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and will be sold at the door. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the show runs from at 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“We do a number of different things at Striplight — straight shows, musicals and Speakeasy singers events,” said Shawn Holmes, SCT board chair. “But as we grow, we are striving to bring in other cultural events as well. It’s time for the arts to take root in downtown Weirton.”

The Rustic Mechanicals, now in its fifth season, have grown from a troupe of seven actors to this year boasting a roster of nearly 30 West Virginia artists.

Audiences also will see Daniel Crowley as Buckingham; Isaac Covey as Catesby; Sean Marko as Lord Hastings; Bailey Kershner as Queen Margaret; Kayla Hudimac as Queen Elizabeth; and Samantha Huffman as the Duchess of York. James Matthews will be seen as Clarence and the Cardinal; while John O’Connor will be portraying King Edward, the Lord Mayor of London and the Archbishop; and Travis Teffner will be playing Rivers and Richmond. Rounding out the cast is Sarah Young as Lady Anne and Tyrrel and Kyle Stemple as Prince Edward and several other roles.

For information, contact SCT at (304) 919-2979 or e-mail info@sctwv.org

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