Wednesday, November 13, 2024

“The Birds” opens at Village Players

Although Halloween may end on the 31st that doesn’t mean the thrills need to stop. The Village Players upcoming production of “The Birds” is sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. 

Not Really Birds of a Feather

So, you’ve seen Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” already? Well that’s not a problem because you’re in for a very new show. Although Hitchcock’s movie is also loosely based on the same short story by Daphne du Maurier, there are some major differences between the stage performance and the film. Aside from new characters, Hitchcock’s film also focuses much more on the horror aspect; eyeless corpses, gasoline explosions, and visuals of the birds trying to attack townspeople. 

The stage production can be described more as a psychological thriller. Rather than graphic images, the thrill comes from the mental game that the birds play on the characters. The birds are always present, but remain outside, as a constant threat,  unseen by the audience. The real horror in this production comes from inside the house with the mounting tension between two strangers trapped in a home together. 

The dark story begins after masses of birds begin attacking a typically quiet  English town. Two strangers (played by John Duvall and Jennifer Nagy-Lake) take refuge from the birds in an abandoned home with no electricity and limited food. Tensions are high and the surprising appearances of a strange woman and farmer (Marissa Rex and John Klenk) add a threatening tone to the supposedly safe haven. 

A Little Bird Told Me…

Jeffrey Albright, director of “The Birds,” stated that making the birds real to the audience is the greatest challenge in this production. “Obviously we will not have actual birds flying around the theatre; their presence is created by sound. The audience should feel that the birds are always present, even in the scenes that are between the waves of bird attacks, their presence drives the characters.”

Although the birds are not seen by the audience, they are the reason these characters are forced together and ultimately the cause of the stress and anxiety this thriller evokes. 

The excellence of the cast, director, and crew will make this production successful in creating the thrill  for the audience. According to Albright,  the opportunity to work with this group of people on a play written by Conor McPherson, “one of my personal favorite playwrights,”  is a most rewarding experience. 

Due to strong language the show is recommended for mature audiences
Fridays & Saturdays, November 6-21. 8pm/Friday & Saturday, 2pm/Sunday
$18
Performances held at The Toledo Village Players, 2740 Upton Ave.
419-472-6817 | thevillageplayers.org/tickets

Although Halloween may end on the 31st that doesn’t mean the thrills need to stop. The Village Players upcoming production of “The Birds” is sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. 

Not Really Birds of a Feather

So, you’ve seen Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” already? Well that’s not a problem because you’re in for a very new show. Although Hitchcock’s movie is also loosely based on the same short story by Daphne du Maurier, there are some major differences between the stage performance and the film. Aside from new characters, Hitchcock’s film also focuses much more on the horror aspect; eyeless corpses, gasoline explosions, and visuals of the birds trying to attack townspeople. 

The stage production can be described more as a psychological thriller. Rather than graphic images, the thrill comes from the mental game that the birds play on the characters. The birds are always present, but remain outside, as a constant threat,  unseen by the audience. The real horror in this production comes from inside the house with the mounting tension between two strangers trapped in a home together. 

The dark story begins after masses of birds begin attacking a typically quiet  English town. Two strangers (played by John Duvall and Jennifer Nagy-Lake) take refuge from the birds in an abandoned home with no electricity and limited food. Tensions are high and the surprising appearances of a strange woman and farmer (Marissa Rex and John Klenk) add a threatening tone to the supposedly safe haven. 

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A Little Bird Told Me…

Jeffrey Albright, director of “The Birds,” stated that making the birds real to the audience is the greatest challenge in this production. “Obviously we will not have actual birds flying around the theatre; their presence is created by sound. The audience should feel that the birds are always present, even in the scenes that are between the waves of bird attacks, their presence drives the characters.”

Although the birds are not seen by the audience, they are the reason these characters are forced together and ultimately the cause of the stress and anxiety this thriller evokes. 

The excellence of the cast, director, and crew will make this production successful in creating the thrill  for the audience. According to Albright,  the opportunity to work with this group of people on a play written by Conor McPherson, “one of my personal favorite playwrights,”  is a most rewarding experience. 

Due to strong language the show is recommended for mature audiences
Fridays & Saturdays, November 6-21. 8pm/Friday & Saturday, 2pm/Sunday
$18
Performances held at The Toledo Village Players, 2740 Upton Ave.
419-472-6817 | thevillageplayers.org/tickets

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