By: A.J. Sage, House of Ithaqua
November 7, 2019
"I'm going to be around when the world as we know it ends." So says The Skriker, the eponymous character at the center of Caryl Churchill's 1994 play by the same name, which House of Ithaqua will stage at The Cherry ArtSpace November 15-17 and 21-23.
"The Skriker", inspired by British folklore and focused on disasters on both the macro and micro levels, follows a shapeshifting faerie (Barbara Geary) who stalks two young mothers Josie (Maya Jones) and Lily (Erin Lockett), adopting various personas as she attempts to coax them back to her home in the Underworld.
Lockett and Jones are both acclaimed seniors in Ithaca College’s Department of Theatre Arts who were both last seen locally in Ithaca Shakespeare Company's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Geary, who worked in Ithaca during the early days of the Kitchen Theatre, returns to the region after time spent performing and training in California and New Mexico. She is a graduate of the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre and has numerous credits with the Dell'Arte Company.
Churchill, known for work both powerful and evasive, specializes in plays that feature abuses of power, though director AJ Sage says it's her only piece strictly in the horror genre. "I was drawn to this play because we wanted to return to something monstrous for Autumn, but it's beautiful and longing too," said Sage, also Artistic Director for House of Ithaqua. "There's a time and place for jump scares and we have some. This one also runs the gamut from creepy to unsettling to devastating to very funny. I think it will mean something slightly different to each audience member."
"The Skriker" also includes an ensemble of 15 dancers and actors including past collaborators of the company Daniel Kiely and Marlo del Toro. Combat specialists Jennifer Wholey and Jacob Lehman also make appearances in the cast. Choreographer Amanda Moretti leads the group.
Audiences should be warned that "The Skriker" features disturbing imagery, harsh language and content involving depression.
Tickets are available for $25 (student/seniors for $15) at https://m.bpt.me/event/4365064. All shows at 7:30pm. Stage management by Maggie Lapinski and Christine Fanourakis. Featuring sound design by Norm Scott and original music by Zacc Charvolin. Lighting by Lea Davis. Costumes and props by Liz Kitney. Assistant direction by Noah Elman.
“The Skriker” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
