Artistic License � November

Origins

After 3 years of pre-production and putting together a radio theatre company � with all the development � it has finally dawned on my how much time I have put into my company. 2 years, about 45 hours a week on top of my day job... I think I have learned a valuable lesson � one does not know how much time they are using up until they take a look back on their life and go �wow.� I did that this weekend.

Centuries Old Productions has, over the past 3 years produced, in conjunction with CJSR (the University of Alberta Radio Station) and now CKUA, shows of considerable merit. With CSJR Centuries Old compiled 12 Shakespeare on the Air productions. They were:

King John

Richard II

Henry IV parts I & II

Merry Wives of Windsor

Henry V

Tempest

Cymbeline

Julius Caesar

Antony & Cleopatra

12^th Night

MacBeth

That first show, King John was the beginnings of a dream. I was performing in the UofA�s 12^th Night production back in 2000 and was voicing the idea of putting Shakespeare on the radio. My fellow actors were keen on the idea so I wrote a proposal to CJSR and Daryl Richel (Program Manager) said yes. It went from there.

In the course of the first 2 years, I spent most of my time learning how to direct for radio. With that came learning the difference between acting/directing, technical production and script preparation for stage and radio. I didn�t know there was such a big difference. Even now, I am still learning, still constantly reminding myself the styles are considerably different.

With the success of the Sounds of Shakespeare Theatre, Centuries Old took on the project of Live to Air Theatre, not only having the actors in studio broadcasting direct to your radio, but also including a foley team (Sound effects specialists) and yours truly all around a group of microphones to bring back the feeling of the golden age of radio �

and we succeeded with

Guy Faulkrand, Gentleman Adventurer! ��

A meeting between Alberta Playwright Rick Kiebiech and myself started the creation process rolling back in early 2002. Holding a concept dinner with various actors and writers, we came up with the initial journey we wished to take. After that, several months went by while I traveled through Greek Islands, developing character and writing scripts. Coming back, 2 days after I returned home I approached CKUA headliners Brian Dunsmore (Programme Manager) and Chris Allen (Arts Development). I walked in with 2 scripts and a concept for the ongoing series. The rest was history.

Another 9 months of script writing and development with a writing team & holding auditions, we learned how to develop a radio theatre company. We finally premiered Guy Faulkrand, Gentleman Adventurer�� in our Pilot Episode dated 11 August 2003 with a cast of top notch talent � and all from the Edmonton area. Our Pilot, The Shaper of Worlds, taught all of us the importance of rehearsals, what works in a script and what doesn�t, and the need to constantly communicate between the actors, director, writers, and foley/tech teams to create something bigger than us all.

Now, with our Premiere, too, behind us (Voice in the Cathedral � broadcast 6 October 2003) we have set the format for the series. The 2^nd Monday of every month through 8 March � you can settle down on your couches with a cup of tea and turn out your lights. Tune in to CKUA with the ongoing Live Radio Adventure Series � Guy Faulkrand, Gentleman Adventurer��. Set in the World of the 1930s it brings mystery, danger and the Supernatural all into your family rooms.

The Chairman brings us in to the world of Secret Societies as Faulkrand is treated as a commodity in a much bigger game than even he realizes. (10 November)

The remaining shows are:

The Gift � 8 December

The Call � 12 January

The Singing Gun � 9 February

The Bowmen of Mons � 8 March

8pm Monday on CKUA Radio 580AM/94.9FM Edmonton and province wide on various FM Frequencies.

Enjoy. IF you do so, please let the CKUA radio network know so Centuries Old Productions can continue creating great radio theatre for your enjoyment. Yes, I�m bragging. That�s my artistic license to do so.

- J.