The Department of Theatre presents, Simon Stevens’ On the Shore of the Wide World, an intimate story about three generations of a working-class British family, the Holmes. While in the midst of preparing for relocation from Stockport to London, family members examine the link between their present situations and past decisions. Director and Theatre Associate Professor, Mandy Fox, said, “The story is going to make you laugh, gasp, and shout because it reveals the frustration and excitement that develops when finding your own path at any age.”

Graduating senior, Eric Barker, the Scenic Director, has experience in commercial art studios and was the Interior Designer for Max and Erma’s Restaurants. He has a penchant for finding eclectic objects and striking pieces of art that tell a story, set the mood, and evoke emotions. The set of On the Shore of the Wide World is purposefully decorated with dozens of vintage windows, worn bicycles, empty bottles, piles of books, and assorted props. “This set has lots of texture and openness. Every single object serves a purpose and will help transport the audience from their seats and into the world of the Holmes family,” said Barker.

Stephens was in residence at Ohio State two years ago and hosted a series of writing workshops through the Department of Theatre. In addition to receiving positive reviews from critics, the play was the recipient of the Laurence Oliver Award for Best New Play in 2006, and takes its title from the poem, When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be by John Keats.

The cast was selected during the first week of fall quarter and includes a mixture of undergraduate and graduate students: Mahmound Osman (Peter Holmes); Rox Rockey (Alice Holmes); Moopie Mothibeli (Charlie Holmes); Tory Matsos (Ellen Holmes); Zack Owens (Alex Holmes); Corbin Jones (Christopher Holmes/Taxi); Mackenzi Flannery (Sarah Black); Taylor Moss (Paul Danziger); Ibsen Santos (John Robinson); Alison Vasquez (Susan Reynolds).

Dialect Coach, Audrey Rush, worked closely with the cast members to help them capture the British working-class dialect. Although most of the students are younger than the characters they portray, Fox has opted not to follow certain techniques used to portray age such as graying the actor’s hair and insisting they walk or talk in a specific manner. She believes these techniques are disingenuous and distracts the audience from connecting to the characters. Thus, clothing and hairstyles will be used show generational differences among the characters.

On the Shore of the Wide World will run on selected dates this November in the Ray Bowen Theatre. Owens, a sophomore double majoring in Theatre and English, was one of the first freshman in over two years to be in a theatre production every quarter. He said, “The theatre experience is a powerful exchange of energy between the audience and the actor that happens in real time. When people see this play they are going to find a story that is full of emotions, experiences, and issues that we can all identify with.”