It's described as "Shakespeare unhinged," and it's coming to the stage at Douglas College.
The college's theatre and stagecraft & event technology departments are putting on a retooled version of Shakespeare's Macbeth, A Macbeth, by Charles Marowitz.
Marowitz has dissected and reassembled the original script - swapping lines between characters, altering the sequence of events and bringing to stage a trio of Macbeths.
"This is Shakespeare unhinged. It's as if Marowitz cut this play into pieces using scissors and then put them back together into a kind of collage," says director Thrasso Petras in a press release. "I think his intention was to explore the essence of this well-known work and present it in an exciting new way."
New Westminster's Cole Girard appears as Lady Macduff and First Witch.
A Macbeth runs Nov. 8 to 16 at the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave.
Tickets are $8 to $12, available through the Massey ticket centre, 604-521-5050.
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Are you a writer looking for encouragement, discussion and fun?
A local writing group is welcoming new members.
Instructor Ruth Kozak leads the group every Monday morning, 10 a.m. to noon at the WAVES coffee shop at Columbia and Begbie streets in downtown New Westminster.
Kozak teaches various writing groups, including evening classes for the Vancouver and New Westminster school district's continuing education programs.
The Write From the Heart group covers mainly memoir writing, with some fiction and poetry too.
Kozak is a published travel journalist, and her historical fiction novel Shadow of the Lion will be published in the U.K. in 2014.
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Check out some of New Westminster's best photography in a new exhibition at the library.
The New Westminster Photography Club is holding a month-long exhibit in the upstairs gallery of the library, Nov. 1 to 30.
The show is called 8 x 10 x 19 and features what a press release describes as "an eclectic array of compelling images" by 19 of the club's members.
The club meets twice a month from September to early June, and it always welcomes new members and guests. Check out www.nwphoto.org for more.
To see the exhibition, drop by the main branch of the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave., anytime during opening hours.
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Looking for a new read?
New Westminster author Kathryn Cottam has an offering for you.
Her sister, Elizabeth Cottam, alerted me to Kathryn's new novel, The Shoemaker: A Tale of Love, Magic and Unnatural Acts, available at Amazon.ca.
"Once upon a time ... is how the fairy tale goes. But this is no child's story," writes Elizabeth. "This is the tale of Edward Cordwainer, dissatisfied with his position as a lowly shoemaker in the remote village of Houndstooth. Then one night during a surprise erotic encounter, Edward makes a wish to become the most famous man in all the kingdom. When his wish is granted, Edward experiences wealth greater than he could ever imagine, a lascivious relationship with the princess and renown throughout the kingdom."
But, of course, as in all good fairy tales, it's not quite that simple - and Edward must eventually choose between his carnal desires and the salvation of his soul.
Kathryn teamed up with her sister, Roberta Cottam of Burnaby, who illustrated the book.
"With the arrival of autum, what better way to spend an afternoon cozied up to a very modern/adult twist on an old classic fairy tale," writes Elizabeth.
Intrigued? Look for The Shoemaker: A Tale of Love, Magic and Unnatural Acts at www.amazon.ca.
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The Columbia Theatre is serving up entertainment for Halloween night.
The theatre is hosting Paul Smith's Alice Cooper tribute act, Billion Dollar Babies, on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.
And don't forget to attend in costume - there are prizes for best costume, including $100 for first, $50 for second and a dinner for two for third.
Check out www.thecolumbia.ca for more about what's happening at the theatre.
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The popular Circle Craft Christmas Market is back, and local vendors are among the 300 exhibitors.
The market takes place Thursday to Monday, Nov. 7 to 11 at the Vancouver Convention Centre - West.
Among the exhibitors this year are a few from New Westminster: Molly & Me (www.mollyandme.ca) with children's character towels, vests, jackets and hats; Hitomi McKenzie (www.hitomimckenzie.com) with porcelain functional ceramics; and Paul Shannon (www.mouseworks.ca) with images on marble, ceramic and glass.
The market has been a holiday tradition since 1973.
It's open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $12 regular or $10 for seniors and students; children under 12 are free.
Check out www.circlecraft.net for all the details.
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
