For the second installment of the summer season we turned to one of Shakespeare's lesser done plays. Each year we attempt to bring one or two titles that are not often done and are usually overlooked gems. Case in point is the story of "The Two Noble Kinsmen", a sort of sequel to A Midsummer Night's Dream that follows the exploits of two close cousins as they captured in battle and set against each other when enamoured by the same women. In Shakespeare's final play and collaboration with John Fletcher, a popular Jacobean playwrite, tragic chivalry follows, a love scroned madwoman, buffonish country folk and wild dancing scene. Setting: Ancient Greece
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Cousins and friends brought to duel over a woman they both love, The title characters in the The Two Noble Kinsmen Arcite (Tyler Neale, left) and Palamon (Tim Elliot) f
face off. Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, NJ. Above a PR shot of the show.
The Daughter (Sarah Walsh) of the Kinsmen's Jailer falls in love with Palomon and helps escape from jail after Arcite is released. The Daughter looses her mind and her way in the woods outside the city. Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, NJ
Queen Hippolyta (Sarah Sirota) comforts her sister Emilia (Phoebe Halkowich) as she agaonizes over the fate of her suitors. Palomon wins the competition but is killed when trying claim his prize. He offers the hand of Emilia as a dying wish to his cousin Arcite reconciling the two kinsmen. Shipyard Park, Hoboken, NJ
A mad Jailer's Daughter (Sarah Walsh, left) confronts a crowd of townsfolk (Gary Ferrar - Center, Cherish Duke and Mia Anderson) trying to bring her home led by her father the Jailer (Jon Ciccarelli). The Daughter regains her wits and is mariLovell Room, Stratford Library, Stratford, CT
The wedding of familiar "Midsummer" characters Theseus (David Sewell) and Hippolyta (Sarah Sirota) commences the play, persided over the by the God of Marriage Hymen (Oliver Conant. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ
Three queens of neighboring kingdoms (Cherish Duke, Mia Anderson and Sarah Walsh), widowed in wars of agression by the evil King Creon interrupt the wedding and beg Theseus to attack and claim the bodies of their slain husbands. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ
Cousins and best of friends Arcite (Tyler Neale, left) and Palamon (Tim Eliot) bored with life under their oppressive uncle King Creon, long for purpose and adventure and answer the call to defend their city when attacked by Theseus. David Brearly Middle School field, Kenilworth, NJ
The Kinsmen are captured during the war and while in jail both fall in love with Emilia (Phoebe Halkowich, left, above with her maidservant (Cherish Duke)), tossing aside their close friendship and family bonds. David Brearly Middle School field, Kenilworth, NJ
Arcite (Tim Elliot) catches up to Palamon (Tyler Neale) but, the Kinsmen are interrupted by Theseus who leans of their quarrel. Theseus forces them to fight to the death with the winner getting the hand of Emilia.
David Brearly Middle School field, Kenilworth, NJ
The Jailer's Daughter (Sarah Walsh) stumbles upon a band of villagers who are planning a festive dance for Duke Theseus. The Schoolmaster (Oliver Conant, center) tries to reign in the crazy band into something resembling a dance. Monument Park, Fort Lee, NJ
