BRATTLEBORO — In the classic storytelling tradition of Gould & Stearns - clever, zany, with reckless abandon, quick, literary, heartfelt, and chaotic, but controlled - New England Youth Theatre presents Robin Hood, adapted and directed by Peter Gould, from Feb. 24 through March 4.
Gould is approaching this adaptation in an open and collaborative way with all of the young, creative minds of the cast. He has created chapters of the story, a plan, key words and key lines, and he is open, as a director, to accepting new ideas that come up in rehearsal.
“This is not theater where you have 25 people and you have two main characters and everyone else is a supporting role and we have a script and stand around learning lines and blocking and then perform. This is different,” says Gould.
All of the fun in this Robin Hood world will come out of movement and ensemble action.
“This legend is 900 years old - and there is a reason a legend exists and persists - and it has to strike a chord with successive generations. The idea of creative, mutualistic, happy-go-lucky redistribution of wealth will always be entertaining,” says Gould.
“Robin Hood is the ultimate archetypal myth of the little guy fighting against the big guy in the most non-violent way possible,” says Gould, who also teaches a new program at Brattleboro Union High School, “Arts for Social Change.”
The show plays at New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St., from Feb. 24 through March 4, on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $7 for students, $9 for seniors, and $11 for adults. They may be purchased in advance via the website, at the NEYT Box Office in person, or by phone (802-246-6398) from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.