Mudds will stage ambitious pre-Christmas musical ‘Hercules’ starting late this month

By JEFF MAGUIRE

The Mississippi Mudds are preparing to deliver a special pre-Christmas treat to Carleton Place and area theatre goers beginning the end of this month.

The town’s popular entertainment troupe, who is currently marking their 35th anniversary year, will stage the musical-comedy production ‘Hercules’ which appears certain to launch the busy holiday season here on a bright note.

The show begins Friday Nov. 28 and continues Saturday Nov. 29 and Sunday Nov. 30 in the Carleton Place Town Hall Auditorium. There will also be shows on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. each night. The Nov. 30 and Dec. 6 offerings will be 2 o’clock matinees.

The ambitious show will feature a large cast of 45 and one of the busiest backstage teams, during the lead-up to the event, is the seven costumers who are working hard to outfit the cast.

“We are making all kinds of chitons, peplos and himations (the names represent different Greek costumes) and each one can take up to five metres of fabric,” says Mudds’ member and costumer Judith Scott.

“Many of the cast are playing more than one role which will require costume changes,” she explains.
“We have a Goddess on a mountain top and her three attendants, the Three Fates, the Princess and her handmaidens, the King and his guards, Cyclops and his henchmen and a traditional Greek chorus who get to ‘change their sheets’ every day,” Scott chuckles.

“And that’s not to mention the citizens of Greece.

“We also have Hercules himself and his friend Narcissus, plus cheerleaders – yes, the kind with pompoms – who lead the excitement each time the ‘big man’ comes on stage.”

The Mudds’ presentation of Hercules is described by the producer as “a family musical with a difference.

“It is loaded with up-beat songs and a story line that is truly a laugh a minute.”

Briefly, the plot is as follows!

Fresh from his “12 labors” Hercules is presented with a 13th by Venus. To win the hand of the Princess Wanda!

But Wanda is kidnapped by the evil Cyclops and the hero of the piece sets out to find her. He is aided by his sidekick Narcissus and watched over by the mysterious Three Fates who control everyone’s destiny.

The cast of “characters” will be backed by a chorus of Greeks, Nymphs, soldiers and –

“Give me an ‘H’. Give me an ‘E’….HERCULES.”

Yes, there will also be a cheerleader or two!

However, rather than say too much about the monsters with one eye and other mythological beasts that will inhabit this production, the Mudds invite residents to come out and see for themselves.

The songs (the music is actually from the 1960s and `70s) and main characters, along with a talented chorus and narrators will take local audiences back to the days of ancient Greece. A time that was filled with heroic pursuits, damsels in distress and of course love stories.

This particular version of Hercules will also offer plenty of comedic moments.

As for the costumers, their task seems endless as preparations continue for the pre-holiday extravaganza.

“We calculate we have bought – begged – and recycled close to 300 metres of fabric, not to mention about the same length of beaded and braided trim,” Scott says. “Cast members are searching out sandals and hair pieces to create the Greek look. It didn’t take long to spend our costume budget.

“The costume team still has many miles of sewing to do before opening night. It seems impossible that we will get it all done in time. But we always do,” she observes.

Meanwhile, as rehearsals continue, construction of the set is also proceeding well.

“Building the mountain for the Goddess is a major challenge,” Scott laughs.

Be sure to reserve one of the following dates for what shapes up as a “not to be missed” production. Tickets for all six shows are now on sale for $15 each at Remembrance Gift Shop, 141 Bridge Street, Carleton Place. Evening shows are at 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 29 and Dec. 5 and 6. Matinees are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. For ticket information telephone the gift shop at 613-257-3931.