The first show in the newly renovated Starr Theater will open Wednesday to give audiences a one-of-a-kind experience. The space was expanded by a third in the Walton Arts Center's renovations and will be able to host a large variety of programming thanks to the redesign and the new window facing West Street, bringing nature inside to join the arts. Panels closing off the window allow the theater to still serve as a traditional black box -- a setting that provides an intimate experience for the viewers.
When the National Theatre of Scotland takes over the space next week, though, close will take on a whole new meaning for theatergoers. "The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart" will bring actors into the audience, interacting with them, for a fully immersive experience as they take a dreamlike and riotous journey with uptight Prudencia. In a story centered around -- and inspired by -- Scottish folk songs, poems and music, these five actor-musicians will be the guides. Jessica Hardwick plays Prudencia and answered these questions for What's Up!
FAQ
‘The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart’
WHEN — 7 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday; 8 p.m. May 6; 2:30 & 7 p.m. May 7; 2:30 p.m. May 8
WHERE — Starr Theater inside Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
COST — $25
INFO — waltonartscenter.org
Q. This show seems very nontraditional. What can you tell audiences about the show and what they can expect from their evening with Prudencia?
A. The show is set in a small Scottish town called Kelso in the Scottish Borders. It's midwinter's evening of 2010 when we meet Prudencia Hart as she makes her way to a conference on the Border Ballads in Kelso. Over the course of the evening the audience follow Prudencia's dreamlike journey of self discovery and devilish encounters as the five actors play out this story amongst the audience.
The audience sit at chairs and tables around the space, resembling the feel of a Scottish pub. The show is inspired by the Border Ballads and predominately told in rhyme. It's accompanied by traditional folk music (and the occasional pop song.)
The show is a really stripped-back form of storytelling. We use minimal set and only what props we need to tell the story. The audience are close to all the action, which is unusual and exciting for both the audience and us as performers. I think with this show the best thing for an audience to do is to come expecting the unexpected. Come with an open heart and mind and we will sweep you away on an unconventional evening of storytelling and mystery.
Q. What is Prudencia's struggle? What is she discovering over the course of the narrative?
A. We meet Prudencia at the start of the evening as an uptight, prudish, post-graduate student who studies folk songs and ballads at the Edinburgh School of Scottish Studies. She is married to her work, quick to judge other people and seems to take life very seriously. She's afraid of letting go and being venerable. However, over the course of the evening we watch her go on a journey of self discovery. ... We watch as she is undone and finds out who she really is and what life really has to offer.
Q. What is it like as a performer to be in this type of quirky production? To be performing for an audience while among them?
A. To be performing this close to an audience can be incredibly exposing but also exciting as we have nowhere to hide. The audience is with you through every step of the characters journey.
There's no "fourth wall." We talk directly to the audience, weaving our way through the room as we tell our story in amongst them. Every audience is different, and this gives us a different energy each night to play with. It's a joy seeing how people change over the course of the evening as they follow the characters journey and share this experience with us.
-- Jocelyn Murphy
jmurphy@nwadg.com
NAN What's Up on 04/29/2016