Kalistan

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National Theater Season opens in Kaliburg
6 Month season to include new Dramas, a classic and a Farce
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 14th, 5718


His Highness, the Minor Crown Prince, accompanies classmate, Ms. Jenny Marshall Opening Night. Ms. Marshall debuted last month in Kaliburg

Kalistan's National Theater inaugurated its 5718 Season last week with the opener of a much anticipated drama by noted Kalistani dramatist Henry Wright called 14,000 Miles. It is the epic tale of a peaceful and sympathetic new husband kidnapped off Ananto, and sold as a slave in ancient Luthori where he is brutally mistreated by the savages that dwell in those environs. He eventually outsmarts his dimwitted but unnecessarily violent captors and escapes. He then makes his way home, through numerous trials and detours only to find a cruel surprise waiting for him when if finally makes it back to Luxon. "The play is one of the most expensive spectacles to grace the stage of the National Theater," said theater critic Montel Robinson. "The production cost K$46 million, including significant renovation of the stage to allow for water scenes to be depicted with some realism. It was an auteur's vision and backers of the play saw the dream, and invested big time." In its first week the play grossed more than K$4.2 million Imperial Pesos, and is on track to be one of the most successful plays in National Theater history.

The National Theater Association, the foundation that maintains both the National Theater and the Imperial Operahouse in Sulari, and contributes to production costs, estimates that due to heavy philanthropy over the last ten years, it can now offer residencies once again. Much of the philanthropy was quietly led by House Ananto who restored a commitment to the National Theater and the Imperial Opera in Sulari originally begun by Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, wife and Consort of Emperor Fredrick III Ananto, and mother of the later Empress Mary. The Commitment lapsed during the Regency, as a controversy on the Board over misallocation of money led to a number of regular contributors suspending their donations. Following Board reorganization in 5708, donations returned, and the Foundation is now considered healthy enough to offer two five year residencies to help patronize playwrights and composers who seek to beautify Kalistani stages.

The Season this year consists of the aforementioned 14,000 Miles, as well as a fun whodoneit called Mrs. Watson, a slice of life theater verite production known as Followings, an updated classic Kalopian Drama called The Two Sisters, a Musical called Summer Camp, and a new Farce called The Artanian Client. The plays were selected by National Theater Association jury review with a goal of showcasing diversity in topic, appealing to wide audiences, and exhibiting excellence in writing.

Her Imperial Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Prince Consort attend season opener at National Theater

"I'm really looking forward to The Artanian Client," said critic Anantonia Oswald. "I've had the opportunity to sit in on rehearsals and have read the synopsis and it really looks like a ridiculous, hilarious new play from Britt Engles. She is one of the leaders of the new school of Kalistani comedy and the way she weaves stories together in unexpected ways through a series of completely unrelated accidents is both very creative and extremely entertaining. I expect this will be similar."

The Program will feature a new Premier each month throughout the season, with Three shows on weekends (Friday Night, Saturday Matinee, and Saturday evening) and a Tuesday evening performance. During the rest of the week, theater goers will be invited to attend Black Box Theater that features one acts, revues and skits by independent writers and directors that involve both members of the main troupe, as well as actors in the Little Theater. Black Box will be held Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and then the Little Theater, which will feature performances of past productions will be held Sunday Matinee and Sunday Evening. Each re-run will perform for a month during the entire season. Though Friday, Saturday and Tuesday Evening ticket prices can get into the Thousands of Pesos for box seating, and hundred for General Seating and are therefore quite cost prohibitive for commoners, Saturday Matinee of the Main Production, all Black Box Theater productions and the Little Theater performances will be priced at K$6 a ticket to encourage attendance by everyone. "It is well known that the Empress likes both Black Box and Little Theater productions, and will certainly attend several of them," said Robinson.

The Theater schedule will overlap in October and November with the Opera and Orchestra Schedule, which runs over the winter in Sulari, but audiences tend to be different for each. "Plus, in October and November, you can easily catch a production in Kaliburg Friday night, then fly to Sulari for a Saturday night performance," said Oswald. "That's a lot of live performance, but there are some who's entire social circle is within the Theater scene. If you are a member of Formal Society, you are almost expected to be in attendance every time the Empress attends, and if she happens to be at the National Theater on Friday and the Opera House on Saturday, plenty of members of both Kaliburg and Sulari Society will try to make both performances as well, because in Society, its who you are seen with that affects your standing." Both Her Imperial Majesty Empress Carolina II Ananto (along with His Highness, the Prince Consort Elliot Rosenfeld) and His Highness the Minor Crown Prince William-Malcolm Isaac Ananto-Rosenfeld (who was accompanied by Kaliburg Debutante Ms. Jenny Marshall, who made her Debut last month) were in attendance for the Season Opener, and occupied the Royal Theater Box. It was also well attended by the Peerage and much of Kaliburg Formal Society.

This season promises to be the most exciting season in a very long time, and will have something for everyone.

@LaModa