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Morals, humor, action make ‘Robin Hood’ a must-see play

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Dylan Skime (center) and Derick Spiller (right) practiced a fight sequence Monday with “Robin Hood” play assistant Jason Tipsword. This year’s spring play at Prairie du Chien High School will be presented April 12-14, at 7 p.m. each night. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Prairie du Chien High School student Derick Spiller attempts a lift under the instruction and on the back of mentor Jason Tipsword inside the Little Theater. Next week’s production of “Robin Hood” will be not only humorous, but action-packed.

By Correne Martin

With more young men involved in the Prairie du Chien High School theater production than anticipated for awhile, “Robin Hood,” and all its merry adventures, was the perfect selection for this year’s spring stage play. Three performances are scheduled for April 12-14, at 7 p.m. each night.

Past assistant and middle school lead director, Dale Hanson is this season’s high school director. He feels play-goers will be enraptured by the show’s humor and the moral of the story of the legendary heroic outlaw who is Robin Hood: Rob from the rich and give to the poor. 

But Hanson and his high school actors—some from the middle school—are most thrilled to bring the play’s fight sequences to life for local audiences. They’ve been working with Jason Tipsword, of Guttenberg, Iowa, to learn and refine their overacting of skills like punching, throwing, flipping, etc.

“The way this is choreographed, everybody is going to really enjoy the interaction,” Hanson said. “The kids have been impressed with being involved in the fight scenes.”

To ensure a polished production, Hanson has brought additional experts in to work with the cast and crew. His nephew, Brent Schwert, who has acted at both North Crawford and UW-Platteville, is sharing his expertise on dialogue, especially with the English and Scottish accents of the actors and actresses. Lisa Miller has designed much of the set’s artistry, including the castle and esteemed Sherwood Forest. Plus, Diane Slottman, Arlene Trautsch and Linda Hanson are creating costuming, with some pieces on loan from the North Crawford Theater.

The 20 students involved will act and help with lighting and staging of the two-act play, which involves 19 different scenes and is about two and a half hours long. Hanson said there’s going to be a lot of action and some extremely funny lines. 

“Right now, there are three (students) really coming to the top,” he noted, “the sheriff, who is the main villain of the group; Robin Hood, who of course is a key part; and Little John, she's basically gonna steal the show.”

In addition to the comedy within the show, there will be some amusing skits in between scenes that have been written by the production cast.

The main fight sequences will be between Robin Hood and the sheriff, when Robin Hood and Maid Marian take on the Guy of Gisborne, and the ultimate showdown at the end.

“This is where pretty much anyone who wasn’t killed earlier is gonna be involved,” Hanson laughed. 

The Prairie High drama department started in mid-February with casting and practices for the “Robin Hood” production. They have been practicing four nights a week since. 

“The story of ‘Robin Hood’ is kind of a cool story,” Hanson commented. “There’s people worrying about bettering themselves and then people being abused. The ones being abused are actually a closer-knit group of people.”

“Robin Hood” will be the last high school performance in the school’s Little Theater, before the 750-seat auditorium opens.

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