HEATHER MORRISON
Arts Writer

“It’s just ridiculous — but in a really good way,” said Angela Kemp of her role in Greystone Theatre’s season opener, Trafford Tanzi by Claire Luckham. A fourth-year BFA student at the U of S, Kemp is being put to the test.

“I wrestle, sing, dance, use a dialect and play a character from young childhood to adulthood.”

With such a vast array of tasks, Kemp is happy to share her leading role with fellow student Cherillyn Porter. The pair alternate performances because of the physical demands of the show.

“I couldn’t do it every night.”

The double casting has turned into an intriguing acting exercise for Kemp.

“We both have our own interpretations of the role, which is interesting.”

She has also enjoyed sharing rehearsal time with Porter.

“You get to watch the scene, see what works and what doesn’t. It’s great to have the opportunity to pull yourself out and observe.”

The show is separated into 10 rounds, each one including a wrestling match. Kemp plays Tanzi, a female wrestler attempting to break free of traditional female roles.

“Nobody has any faith in her. There’s a breaking point and she decides to fight back. She’s been beaten down metaphorically her whole life.”

The metaphorical morphs into the literal when Tanzi challenges those who were obstacles in her life, including family members and her husband, to a wrestling match.

“There’s a scene where I, as a toddler, wrestle my mother.”

The fights were choreographed by professional wrestlers Crash Crimson and El Arsesino.

“We started off slow, learning how to fall. Then we just started building.” Kemp explained that a lengthy learning process was necessary. “I mean, we’re arts kids — we like to read books, not wrestle. We worked until we were comfortable jumping off the ropes, knocking people down, clothes-lining and every other thing you could possibly imagine.”

Kemp even had a special move designed by Crash Crimson for the show.

“It’s Tanzi’s big star move. It doesn’t exist in real wrestling. It’s called The Venus Fly Trap.”

When asked if she could give an idea of what it’s like, Kemp refused. “Uh-uh. No. It’s the big surprise.”

Despite the incredible demands of the play, Kemp said the cast is having a lot of fun.

“I mean, you have to; you have to laugh through the pain. If you try to take it like a serious drama, you’ll fall on your face.”

The ridiculous humour, intense wrestling, singing and dialects (the cast uses North Country English accents) all add up to a very unconventional show.

“It’s a novelty, really,” assured Kemp. “How many plays can you see that have all of this and more?”

Trafford Tanzi runs from Oct. 8 to Oct. 17, all shows at 8 p.m. $13 students, $15 seniors $19 adults.

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photo Robby Davis