In the far north of a galaxy light-years away from earth, a cross between two-beloved sagas will come to life for one night only on the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre stage.
From the minds of Craig Francis and comedian Rick Miller comes Game of Clones, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Inspired by the works of George Lucas and George R.R. Martin, both Francis and Miller have come to Yellowknife for the shows national premier.
The show mashes pop-culture giants Star Wars with Game of Thrones to create a parody of the two fantasies.
SA国际影视传媒淲e've found there are some really funny similarities but there are many differences in the two series,SA国际影视传媒� said Francis. SA国际影视传媒淪tar Wars is all about the fairy-tale and the happy ending and good versus evil whereas Game of Thrones is the opposite. As soon as you start getting to know a character, they're killed.SA国际影视传媒�
During the performance, a total of 60 characters will be portrayed by actors Caitlin Driscoll and Jamie Cavanagh with roughly 38 costume changes each.
SA国际影视传媒淲hen you're working on a show that is newly written you're often developing characters yourself based on the text, but this is the added level of developing characters based on real characters,SA国际影视传媒� said Driscoll.
SA国际影视传媒淚'll probably be tired after the show is over but the most exhausting part is the preparation.SA国际影视传媒�
For Cavanagh, having come from an improvisation background he said this production has been mostly in his comfort zone.
SA国际影视传媒淚 don't think I've ever played these many characters in one show,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut I do a lot of fast-paced comedy so this is where I'm comfortable.SA国际影视传媒�
The group has been canvassing the country to get on stage and showcase their finished product but most theatres have been hesitant to give them the opportunity.
Francis credits NACC executive director Marie Coderre for giving the group said opportunity to perform on stage.
SA国际影视传媒淢arie is a very brave artistic director and such a cool person for giving us this opportunity,SA国际影视传媒� said Francis.
This is the group's first time in Yellowknife. Miller, who is best known for his one-man show MacHomer, performed in 175 cities and five different continents, but never made it to the NWT. Francis was in charge of the media and design portion for a majority of MacHomer's success.
He said because of the opportunity Yellowknife will be well-represented in Game of Clones.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou'll see the map of the kingdoms in our show and Yellowknife is literally on the map because so much of the show takes place in the North,SA国际影视传媒� said Francis. SA国际影视传媒淭hen we go north of the north ... and then,
more north; and then north of the wall is Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�
Unlike MacHomer, the crew warns families about bringing their children to see Game of Clones.
Given the nature of the Game of Thrones element they said the source material can be too inappropriate for younger audiences.
However, the crew emphasizes the pageantry for the show will be similar to any other ordinary play.
SA国际影视传媒淲e've got the best of both worlds,SA国际影视传媒� said Francis. SA国际影视传媒淲e have fantastic acting and comedy but we also have multimedia, costume and design work that will take people into a weird little world of our own.SA国际影视传媒�
Working with people who inspire you
Best known for MacHomer and his bits on the Canadian television series Just For Laughs Miller was named one of Entertainment Weekly's 100 most creative people alive today, an accomplishment he said is only really used for promotional purposes.
SA国际影视传媒淚 make things for a living I try to be as creative as I can in everything I do. I don't try and live up to anything,SA国际影视传媒� said Miller. SA国际影视传媒� I love making not just people laugh but I love making them live experiences together in a room and theatre is one of the places where we can do that...we can all watch great shows on Netflix, but I enjoying trying to make the theatre experience as special and creative as I can.SA国际影视传媒�
He added the quote means little to him but he enjoys the recognition.
Unknowingly to Miller during the auditions for Game of Clones, it was his creativity that captivated the mind of Cavanagh at a young age.
SA国际影视传媒淩ick didn't know when he hired me but I went and saw MacHomer when I was 17 and I was so blown away by it that I bought the play at the end of the show and walked up and very sheepishly asked for his autograph,SA国际影视传媒� admitted Cavanagh. SA国际影视传媒� When I came in and auditioned for Rick Miller it meant a lot to me.SA国际影视传媒�
Cavanagh added working with both Miller and Francis for the performance has been exceptional.
