Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society celebrates 15th year with King Lear - BERITAJA

While it whitethorn beryllium a accumulation from much than 400 years ago, William Shakespeare’s King Lear will beryllium appearing successful Lethbridge, Alta., parks, on pinch different venues, for the first time.

The Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society (LSPS) is celebrating 15 years pinch their inaugural effort astatine the classical play this summer.

“It will beryllium the accustomed multi-venue acquisition for audiences but pinch King Lear,” said Shelley Scott, head of the performance.

Shakespeare successful the Park has go a favourite crossed confederate Alberta complete caller years, proving the classics ne'er spell away.

“420 years later, we’re still doing his shows. Why? Because they still speak to us,” said John Poulsen, a formed personnel taking connected the titular role.

However, this twelvemonth is simply a spot different.

In 2025, the LSPS suffered a insignificant theft of immoderate costumes successful July, but for a mini organization, it was a large blow.

“Everybody was very sad past twelvemonth erstwhile they mislaid immoderate of (the costumes) but we’ve had Community Foundation backing this year, which we are truthful grateful for and has helped america to replenish the costume stock,” said Scott.

While ensuring the formed is dressed successful beautifully recreated Shakespearean attire is important, nerves are arsenic captious to manage.

Poulsen, a retiree turned performer, says he tends to struggle pinch his lines conscionable earlier opening night.

“It’s a week earlier performance. I wish I wouldn’t — I wish I didn’t consciousness for illustration I suck, but I do because I screwed my lines up past night. I’m patching myself backmost together again because my assurance is truthful hit up,” he said during a rehearsal connected Friday.

For Poulsen, that debased makes the triumph sensation each the sweeter.

“When you flooded emotion for illustration you suck, past you don’t suck and you consciousness amended about yourself. That is about apt a bully point for each of us.”

Plus, he says the smiles successful the crowd are a awesome bonus.

“This is the shape of volunteerism that I deliberation suits maine best. I deliberation I could do the champion for my organization because I judge that a organization that has Shakespeare successful it is uplifted somehow. We are amended for having Shakespeare successful our organization than if we didn’t,” said Poulsen.

The 2026 summertime play will person 14 shows dispersed crossed 7 venues successful 3 confederate Alberta communities during July and August.

Some of the events will beryllium free to attend, while others will require pre-purchased tickets. Each capacity originates astatine 7:00 p.m., isolated from for the lone High River show, which originates astatine 2:00 p.m.

The afloat schedule is arsenic follows:

• July 2: Galt Gardens, Lethbridge (opening night)
• July 3: CASA Rotary Square, Lethbridge
• July 9: Empress Theatre, Fort Macleod (ticket required)
• July 10: Legacy Park, Lethbridge
• July 16: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge (ticket required)
• July 17: CASA Rotary Square, Lethbridge
• July 23: Galt Gardens, Lethbridge
• July 24: CASA Rotary Square, Lethbridge
• July 25: The Venue, High River
• July 30: Galt Gardens, Lethbridge
• July 31: CASA Rotary Square, Lethbridge
• Aug. 6: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge (ticket required)
• Aug. 7: CASA Rotary Square, Lethbridge
• Aug. 8: CASA organization room, Lethbridge (fundraising gala performance, summons required)