by Mike Bruneau
Arts and Culture Editor
Nancy Kenny seems to have everything under control.
Acting in the University of Ottawa Drama Guild's production of The Lark, she has been tasked with balancing the performance with school and work responsibilties. She's sure, however, that she's up to the challenge.
The play, which centers around historical figure Joan of Arc, takes place largely in the court of King Charles of France in the 15th century, examining, in a very visual way, the events that shaped the French national heroine's life.
"When most people think of Joan of Arc, they only think of her as being burned at the stake," said Kenny. "This play is not about the way she died, but the way she lived her life. The first half sees re-enactments of her childhood, her meeting the king, and then the second act is her trial - she's captured and put on trial for being a heretic. Women weren't allowed to wear men's clothing, they weren't allowed to ride horses or bear arms. And claiming to hear voices and to be sent by God was definitely not smiled upon by the church."
But the story of Joan of Arc is a classic tale of someone who eventually came to be appreciated and celebrated for her actions long after her death.
"She was canonized as a saint in the early 1900s - she's the patron saint of France," said Kenny.
It's obvious, then, that the play revolves around the character of Joan, as is subtly implied by the title, referring to the play's original source.
"It's a translation of a French play called L'Alouette, which is a bird," said Kenny. "In one of the speeches of the play, the English earl who's representing King Henry at the trial says that France is full of fools and blunderers and rogues, but once in a while, a lark will sing through her skies. That's what Joan did - she was a lark singing over the head of her soldiers."
The role comes at a fitting time for Kenny, who also acts as vp student affairs for the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, and can be seen as having personal parallels.
"I find I relate a lot to the character of Joan, and I feel a lot of people will relate to her too," said Kenny. "She reminds me a lot of myself - she did something that people didn't think she'd be able to do. She's a very strong, stubborn person, and yet, at the same time, she's a very small, innocent girl and I feel a lot like that sometimes, I think a lot of people do. Somedays you feel so strong, like nothing could stop you, and somedays you just wish people could leave you alone."
Of course, the production will also showcase the talents of many other students in the U of O theatre program.
"It's a very large and varied cast - there are third year, second year and fourth year students," said Kenny. "Some people are doing double roles, some are doing triple. But the cast is really strong, and I find the performances from the actors are also very strong."
All in all, Kenny urges people to come out to see the production.
"It's not just a play for people who enjoy theatre - everybody should come and see the show," said Kenny. "If you've ever felt like everyone was against you, and there was nothing you could do, then this is the play for you."
"The Lark" runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 at Academic Hall, 133 Séraphim Marion at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students.
