The Lunchbox Interview: Len Falkenstein, Jake Martin, Sharisse LeBrun (Bard In The Barracks)

I love a good theatre performance.

It’s not the same as a book, an audio drama, a movie, a game. It’s a unique medium, and it delivers something in a way that no other medium captures. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it has to do with the magic of actors and the words of the playwright transforming things in a real way without the separation of a screen or page.

And the way that Bard In The Barracks do it every year — for 10 years in a row, now! — is also an incredibly immersive experience.

My guests today are Len Falkenstein, Jake Martin and Sharisse LeBrun. Len Falkenstein is one of the powerhouse forces behind a lot of theatre in this city, being a founder, Artistic Director and on of the primary directors of Bard In The Barracks, as well as Artistic Director of Notable Acts and the director of the Drama program at UNB. Jake Martin is acting as the titular character in Hamlet, a reprise of his role from last year’s rained out show. Jake is also no stranger to theatre, having written, acted and directed numerous productions around town, include The Next Folding Theatre Company. And Sharisse LeBrun is playing in key roles in both productions this summer, taking on Ophelia in Hamlet and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Sharisse is studying drama at St Thomas, and is returning to Bard In The Barracks for the third year.

We spoke about the exciting changes introduced into these plays-on-location, the emotional challenge of these roles, and the two actors play out a very well known scene from Hamlet.

Bard In The Barracks starts this Friday, June 19. This year’s run features another week of performances, and has two Shakespeare plays in two locations: Hamlet is being staged in Odell Park, and Romeo and Juliet is being performed in Barracks Square downtown.

Music today:

Inspired by the weather and their recent Polaris-prize long-list entry, Bondo played Warmlike Summer from Braids‘ recent album, Deep In The Iris.
And perhaps feeling the difficulty of filling in for a few minutes for me, Bondo put on Pressure by Milk + Bone from their album, Little Mourning.
To also celebrate the feeling of theatre in the summer, I added Summer Eyes by Midday Swim (from their self-titled) album to the show.