She Stoops, She Scores!

The players of Viterbo, like you may not have seen them before. A taste of high-society from a place far away, and a time long ago; all these details encompass the laugh-out-loud comedy, She Stoops to Conquer.

Set in 18th century England, audiences were introduced to language that, for many, seemed unfamiliar. However, they were not alone in this discovery, for cast members themselves felt challenged to tackle the material.

A five-act play, divided by a single intermission, left audiences in awe of its age. Wordy dialogue, often difficult to comprehend by modern minds, however, this was a challenge the cast was excited to tackle.

“I like to describe it as easy Shakespeare”, explained Aidan Buckingham-Taylor, who played old Mr. Hardcastle. “Memorization was difficult, because it is simply not how we speak today.”

BT also adds, “It’s a comedy, so pacing is important, you want to move fast to keep the audience engaged, but also deliver the jokes.” Of course, the cast was successful; after clever punchlines and moments of comedic confusion, the cast had their audience rolling with laughter.

The timeless humor was not the only thing fixing their attention, however. A parade of gorgeous, Victorian, costumes fixed the eyes of those who bore witness. A phenomenal collection of outfits, designed and built, by Viterbo’s professional costume shop.

“We had far more fittings than any show I have done prior,” Gemma Cooper stated, “Everything but two pieces were made, in-house, all by our amazing costume crew composed of both, professionals and students.”

Cooper played the comical trophy-wife, Mrs. Hardcastle; as a cast member she reflects, “We spent a lot of time in our corsets and heels, we wore them throughout the rehearsal process.”

Nicholas Carlstrom, Stage Manager, also shares his experience in the costume shop. “I did a lot of button sewing”, he explains, “Overall it was a tough build, but it really gave the audience a glimpse of what people looked like back then”

For Carlstrom, it was his first production as stage manager, which inherits many challenges. “I just wanted everything to go right”, humored Carlstrom, “I have really grown as a Stage Manager. I did my best to honor the visions of both the director and the design team.”

Agreeably, both those under the lights and behind the scenes has experienced growth. She Stoops to Conquer has proven that an old script, with a little love and hard work, can thrill audiences hundreds of years later.