By Matt Carter  

Actor Scott Shannon, who plays Coriolanus in our upcoming production of The Tragedy of Coriolanus, shares a few things he loves about outdoor theatre.

“Anything can happen.”

That’s what actor Scott Shannon loves most about performing theatre outdoors. Returning to Bard in the Barracks after several years away, Shannon is no stranger to performing in an outdoor setting. As co-founder of Fredericton-based Nasty Shadows Theatre Company, he has performed many of his own plays and those of his friends in outdoor settings. Joining us this season for our production of The Tragedy of Coriolanus, Shannon welcomes the possibility of unexpected “intrusions” and the unique dynamic they can often interject into a well-polished production. 

“This can be good or bad, sometimes altering moments for the better, but then there are the more frequent occurrences that one might refer to as intrusions,” said Shannon. “And yet, even these sounds or movements from those passing by, running into a playing space, dogs barking, that lovely motorcycle rev, the start of the rain, the bugs hanging around, all that stuff is part of the experience. It’s all part of the moment and I’ve found it’s best to simply roll with it all. Sometimes those intrusions can make a moment unique … and it’s not like we’re fooling anyone about what is happening. It’s not a movie at a theatre or at home. It’s a play and we’re all here together at the same time, performers and audience, sharing in the experience. The good and the bad. C’est la vie. That’s why I love it.”

Shannon has been an influential and highly active member of the Fredericton theatre community for more than twenty years. Though much of his involvement revolves around his role with Nasty Shadows, he has been known to occasionally step out of “the shadows” to share his passion for theatre with other groups.    

“Returning to Bard after so long an absence has been a treat in a number of ways,” he said. “From a selfish perspective, like last fall’s production of Uncle Vanya with Next Folding Theatre Company, it’s simply wonderful to be in a group of theatre makers and to have the support of the group.

“Larger organizations have a level of internal support with publicity, sets, costumes, etc. that isn’t part of how the Shadows play, so entering this type of space is very supportive. All around, great folks. And it’s always nice to play to an expected audience, the presence of which can be hit or miss in Nasty Shadows’ ventures.”

As a lifelong student of theatre, Shannon offered a few words of encouragement for any would-be audience members who may feel intimidated by the language in a Shakespeare play.

“We’ve found many humourous moments in what strikes me as a very dark tale,” said Shannon. “As usual, there are cuts to make the show manageable, but in this case it’s made the piece even more of a political drama/thriller for me. The language can be dense at times, but remembering it’s poetry and sometimes just soaking up the sounds along with our actions can be enough to carry the viewer through a moment. We’re bringing this to life in a very engaging way to take the audience on the journey of Coriolanus. I didn’t know this play before this opportunity to be in it, and now it might be my favourite Shakespeare play… admittedly, I still have a few more to read.”

The Tragedy of Coriolanus runs from June 21 – July 9. Complete dates and ticket details can be found here.