Our August entry in the 2005 summer touring season saw us visiting a "new" comedy which the company had not previously tackeled. Each season we like present one to two Shakespeare or other classical pieces that audiences may not be that familiar with. Love's Labours Lost occupies something of a middle ground in audience familiarity where many have heard the name but may not necessarily know what it's about. The basic story follows a strange pact made by the King of Navare (an area in modern day France) and his three closest friends, Longeville, Dumain and the saracastic Berowne. The King, feeling that intellectual pursuits are more worthy than everyday life, insists that he and his friends and the rest of Navarre swear an oath to three years of study where they will shun the company and of course pleasure of women. Obviously this doesn't sit well with the guys but while Dumain and Longeville play along with their king, Berowne points out that an upcoming visit from the Princess of France and her gentlewomen may make this pact hard to perform. The King acknowledges the problem but agrees to muttle through the visit as best they can while sticking to the pact. As the ladies arrive and other assorted buffonish characters come in and out of the story the pact goes by the way side. Keeping with the theme of love we decided to set the story in the summer of love - 1968
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Mr. Tony King aka Berowne plays an opening song to get the audience into the mood of the love story and setting to follow. Memorial Park, Hackensack, NJ
Berown (Tony King, 2nd from left) reviews the "extensive" contract proposed by the King (David Sewell, right) to years of study and no women. Above, Berowne points out to the King and his friends Dumain (Giovanny Lopez, left) and Longeville (Michael Flood) that their pact may be hard to fulfill with the arrival of the Princess of France and her ladies in waiting. Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ
Costard (Matt Olsem, left), a hip clown has been arrested speaking with a country wench named Jaquentta. Above, the King (David Sewell) and Berowne (Tony King) examine a letter from the flamboyant visiting count Don Armado accusing Costard of consorting with Jaquenetta who he is trying to court. Costard is sentended to be in service to Armardo as punishment Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ
Don Armardo (Orville Matherson) passionately and long windedly tells his page Moth of his love for the country wench Jaquentta. Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, NJ
The Princess of France (Melissa McCulloch, left) arrives at the court of Navarre with her ladies Maria (left center Jessica Ripple), Katherine (Alison Powers, center right) and Rosaline (Olga Rosin, right). Hearing that the King is refusing to admit women to his court, the ladies are angered at being asked to stay outside in tents. Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ
The ever looking-for-a-good-time Costard (Matt Olsem) is rimanded to Don Armardo to serve him. Above, he is taken into custody by the Armardo's vampish page Moth (Emily Jane Nelson) who initially greets him pleasureably but she then takes pleasure in abusing Costard. Long Pond Iron Works State Park, West Milford, NJ
The usually motor mouth Berowne (Tony King) becomes sheepish by the arrival of his old flame Rosaline (Olga Rosin) in the Princess' party. Rosaline takes some pleasure in Berowne's discomfort not being able to look at her or respond in detail as recounts their first meeting. Long Pond Iron Works State Park, West Milford, NJ
Rosaline (Olga Rosin), Maria (Jessica Ripple) and Katherine (Alison Powers) playfully enact a letter supposedly that has just been received by Rosaline supposedly from Berowne who has broken the pact by communicating with women. Instead it is a love letter from Armardo to Jaquentta who was entrusted to deliver both letters. Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, NJ
Along with Berowne, Dumain (Giovanny Lopez, left),.Longeville (Michael Flood) and the King (David Sewell) have badly composed love sonnet for their respective French Lady. As each man discovers the others effor, Above, Berowne makes them admit the pact a faliure and that they should attempt to woo the ladies, but in disguise. Pier A Park, Hoboken, NJ
The guys decide to disguise themselves as Russian accented hippies for that exotic feel. However, the ladies being informed of the deception have fun with the men with their own disuise Jackie Kennedy inspired looks. Above, Dumain (Giovanny Lopez) attempts to dance with a flirtatious Maria (Jessica Ripple). Van Vorst Park, NJ
The couples finally reveal their true identities and intentions but news arrives of the death of the Princess' father. Above, the king (David Sewell) pleads to the Princess (Melissa McCulloch) that he will wait for her to grieve and do any service she wishes. The other men do the like as the ladies prepare to depart for home. Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ
