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The Magic of Malfi Home
  In February of 2011, a group of amateur artists led by celebrated theatre scholar Bernard Hopkins, performed an original adaptation of "The Duchess of Malfi", by John Webster. It opened to preview audiences on February 16 and to the public on February18, closing after its 9 scheduled performances on February 26. There were over 75 vertical supports and over 2,000 screws in our epic-sized set. There was over twenty thousand dollars in costumes assembled on stage every night. Several of the worlds best consultants on voice, movement and mask helped train our young cast to perform at the level required for this very challenging script. Our Director, Mr. Bernard Hopkins a celebrated theatre scholar, former Artistic Director of London's Grand Theatre, and Trainer/Educator for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival created a completely new and unique interpretation of one of the greatest scripts ever written. This website is now a record of every step of it's development from early production meetings and auditions, right through to opening night. Currently the documentary film that was shot parallel to this production is about to begin a final round of follow-up interviews, then officially enter post-production and require considerable time to be completed. Even now, over 300 hours of footage exists. If you are familiar with the production - if you came and saw a performance or are aware of any facet of the project - and would like to share your thoughts, please contact us at thesighthound@gmail.com Thank you to everyone who participated, supported and/or attended the run of this very special production! Cheers to you all! 
PHOTOS! And lots of them! Producer / Designer Jordan Morris invites you to visit his Malfi Project FaceBook photo album. Click here!
 The otherworldly Elementals observe The Duchess' tragic story unfold. Photo by Rob Cousins
 At the heart of this timeless tragedy is a wonderful love story. Jeannette Denomme (Klaver) as The Duchess Adam J. Langton as Antonio Photo by Rob Cousins
 The very talented Mr. Chris Kevill as Bosola. Jeannette Denomme is in the background. Photo by Rob Cousins
 After months of working from our "secret lair" inside the Royal Bank Building at 383 Richmond Street (Thank you Farhi Holdings!), The Place Theatre on Dundas is about to become our home and final destination. Tomorrow we officially start moving in and setting up shop. The next few days will be a flurry of activity as we hang lights, set up sound, and build the gargantuan set that we will present to you in just a few weeks. Get excited! The opening day of February 18 is almost upon us!
 It may be "just another day at the office" for our lead designer and prop fabricator Jordan Morris, but not everyone would have 8 "dangerous Inmate" masks and a couple of severed hands lying about.
 When a performer had to leave our cast due to unfortunate circumstances, John Iglesias stepped in and took on the role at a moments notice. John has been working with our Producer / Designer Jordan quite a bit in recent years and both are now looking towards film projects together, but for now, they've teamed up once again to bring the local theatre community something special. John Iglesias is now our "Prato". Read John's bio here: Read an interview with John here:
 As a special preview of your experience as a member of our audience, here's some words from our director, Bernard Hopkins that will be presented in the pages of our program: Read our directors note by clicking here:
 We are very proud of our little website and how it has attracted over six thousand visitors since we first built it only a few months ago! Thank you to everyone who is following us on this incredible adventure. There is a ton of work going on behind the scenes right now and we are all very eager to share our hard work with you! Stay tuned! There is much more news to come! Cheers! Jordan Morris Producer The Duchess of Malfi directed by Bernard Hopkins
 We asked Steve about what he would like the general public to understand about why live theatre is so special:"If the elements of good theatre are present, the flow of energy (from the performers on stage out to the audience) should leave both parties spellbound. Once you experience this connection, from either position, you will return." Read Steve's bio here: Read more of Steve's thoughts in her Malfi Journal page here:
 After a month of frustrating experimentation, our designer, Jordan Morris has discovered what these mysterious characters known as "The Elementals" look like. Where precision and calculation failed, passion and intuition succeeded in producing an emotional, soulful and disturbing collection of faces that will observe the story of The Duchess of Malfi See the entire gallery by clicking here:
![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/zAsdJFKsTPKvqq6klDsDhg36396/GW240H240 "[Untitled]") Our production is fortunate enough to have secured a formidable Assistant Director in the form of the lady pictured to the left. Caroline Dolny Guerin is a "Diamond". We've experienced a number of unique challenges since we began this journey many months ago, and Caroline has been there to help steer us back on track every time. She has considerable experience in theatre both on stage and behind the scenes, and has worked with our Director before! It's no surprise that we are running smoothly. Our thanks to her for all the work done and yet to come!
 Our lead designer and Producer, Jordan Morris knocks out another of many paper mask prototypes as he tries to perfect the final design of the Elemental characters "face". He's also been having fun creating paper and cardboard stand-in props for the cast to use during rehearsal as we slowly collect and create all the final stage props. What would we do without paper and glue and tape?
 We asked Deborah about what she would like the general public to know about what goes on behind the scenes:"Somehow I think it is important to convey that the actors, artistic staff and crew are all just regular people from various walks of life, who share a passion for theatre and come together to cook up something extraordinary that takes them beyond their everyday lives. Sometimes when I'm watching a production and I think about this, I tear up. The power of human beings to create is extraordinary." Read Deborah's bio here: Read more of Deborah's thoughts in her Malfi Journal page here:
 After losing several rehearsal nights to inclement weather, we went on the offensive, scheduling an in intense week of rehearsing every night to get the show on it's feet-and it worked. Tonight we finish up our exhausting week with the production's first run-through. It's not going to be perfect of course, but it's an important milestone in the evolution of the show and everyone is looking forward to getting it done and behind us. There's a certain kind of security (and frustration perhaps as well) felt after the first run and in just being able to finally see the entire show work as a whole. Should be exciting!
 We are currently on the hunt for a young male actor. We think the child would be in the neighborhood of 7 years of age, but appearing younger would be beneficial. This is a NON SPEAKING role. There is simple blocking involved and the young performer is most often led around the stage in the hand of another actor. There will be a scene where he will need to rush across the stage and embrace a male actor who is playing his father. And in another scene, he will be required to "play dead" The parent or parents will need to be comfortable with being available to chaperon or having us one assign one in their place. He will always be in the stead of an adult. We would not need the actor on set until a couple weeks before we open and that would all be worked out when we are approached by an interested party. Contact Jordan Morris @ thesighthound@gmail.com ASAP for more information and to set up an interview with our Director.
 Our lead designer and Producer, Jordan Morris tries on the prototype mask to be worn by our productions "madmen": Asylum inmates let loose upon the Duchess by her unhinged brother in an attempt to drive her mad. Pretty creepy, yes?
 We asked Jeannette why she thought we cast him in this coveted role and what she feels she could bring to the production overall: "I once heard a teacher say, "Acting is like pouring your guts out on stage for everyone to see." I think this play really embodies that quality, but goes deeper and darker. I feel that what is needed is an open minded approach to explore all the dark, uncomfortable human emotions, hopefully with love and understanding and without judgment. It is my commitment to face this process with all humility in the face of my fears that makes me an excellent choice to represent the duchess." Read Jeannette's bio here: Read more of Jeannette's thoughts in her Malfi Journal page here:
 Beat Magazine reporter Dean Hall observes a rehearsal before writing a piece for the February issue. in the background is (left to right) Simon Goodwin (The Cardinal) Jeannette Klaver (The Duchess) Cristian Kawa (Duke Ferdinand)
 We asked Simon why he thought we cast him in the role of The Cardinal and what he could bring to the production overall: "I think that with age acting gets easier and easier – after living for some time, you have a wide range of real experience to draw from and I believe these qualities will translate into a believable and engaging performance.. " Read Simon's bio here: Read more of Simon's thoughts in his Malfi Journal page here: ![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/2/BNNCtgKXY1Y7ErEj-drbYg22699/GW127H59 "[Untitled]")
 Our venue has a new website! Please drop in and have a look around. This production is, of course, part of the 2010-2011 London Community Players (LCP) season. The LCP will be credited as our Executive Producer for the stage production and will therefore also be responsible for providing us with our venue, The Palace Theatre! The all new PALACE THEATRE website can be found here: Read all about The LONDON COMMUNITY PLAYERS on their own website found here NOTE: Check out the ARCHIVED NEWS SECTION to read all the articles that were posted in previous months. A lot has happened already! ![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/2/BNNCtgKXY1Y7ErEj-drbYg22699/GW218H101 "[Untitled]") | 
* Farhi Holdings and Collins Formal Wear are proud sponsors of the London Community Players production of The Duchess of Malfi  Our stage production is Executive Produced by the London Community Players and will run at their home venue, The Palace Theatre in February 2011 . 
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, Sep 17 2011, 11:17 AM EDT
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