The Roaring Girl

Something magical is happening at the Neptune Studio this week. The audacious young company Vile Passéist has created a unique piece of theatre that adds modern music to a 17th-century comedy to form a highly entertaining hybrid. The story centres on a fiery woman named Moll (played beautifully by Karen Lizotte) who flies against gender stereotypes and lives life as she pleases. Moll’s help is enlisted by a pair of young lovers (Michael Robson and Clara Bullock) to trick the young man’s haughty dad (Gary Williams) into allowing their marriage. The score by Jenny Trites makes the text come to life and is tunefully playful. The large cast has ample opportunity to shine, and shine they do with amusing dance numbers, gorgeous musical numbers and beautifully choreographed sword play. Fun, funny and feminist, this new play is a roaring good time. —Kate Watson