The Playhouse

[Vice]

Tucked away on Kenash's Fire Island is a stone amphitheatre. Built into the rock, the Playhouse is far from a traditional Theatre, partly because of its location, partly because of what is performed there and partly because of the open air nature of the area, with the sea serving as a background. After years of abandonment, it was re-established in 513V by the Sitai Family. It has a reputation of catering for more intellectual or innovative works of Theatre, often very dialogue-heavy or with emphasis on wider, more philosophical ideas - nihilism, existentialism and absurdism - with a tendency towards the stylised and unnatural or the superrealist. Naturally, this reputation, though not entirely unfounded, is exaggerated. The Playhouse likes to push boundaries but, knowing that many in Kenash are more comfortable with traditional drama, tend to sandwich classical Operas in between more contemporary or scandalous plays. As it is, there tends to be a more popular Opera programmed for the last ten days of each season, announced well in advance, while everything else is publicised as soon as it is timetabled, sometimes as soon as five days before the actual performance. This Opera is a (semi-)professional affair and one can rest assured that the quality will be high. The Theatre can be found close to the Glass Beach, behind a booth and down a flight of stairs. The Booth is where the tickets are sold both in advance and at the door. When shows start, there are always a couple of Attendants ready in their uniforms to show audience members to their seats. There is no way to access the Theatre area except by the stairs, the dangerous rocks ensuring that trespassers would not think it worth their time... or lives. There are a number of Theatre, Dance and Operatic Companies associated with the Playhouse, some from within Kenash with differing levels of professionalism, from Amateur Dramatic Companies formed by Dynasty Members to well-known Travelling Players with years of professional Theatre under their belts. Performances of this nature tend to fluctuate in price and price is often not revealed until ten, or even five, days before the performance. Availability for Events: The Playhouse Area is available for rent on the 3rd, 13th, 23rd, 33rd, 43rd, 53rd, 63rd and 73rd of every Season - and its view over the Suvan Sea and mild isolation from the city centre make it a good destination for private functions, parties and even weddings. Its view over the sea is very romantic and the nature of the venue means that your own stamp can be put on it. Contact Adelaide Sitai to discuss plans and prices. Auditions: Auditions to become a part of the company and, thus, eligible to be called for auditions for company productions take place on the 1st of every Season for Actors and Dancers and the 2nd of every for Musicians and Singers. Travelling Players/Independent Groups: Travelling Players are allowed to set up stage relatively spontaneously, with as little as two days warning, if the need arises. Independent Groups are usually asked to perform their production first in order to see if the quality and tone is acceptable. If a troupe wishes to have permanent arrangements with the Theatre then contact Adelaide Sitai. Writers/Directors/Composers/Choreographers: New material and new ideas are always appreciated. Writers are asked to send the first fifty pages of their play to the Theatre. Therein, if deemed suitable, the rest of the play will be requested. Composers are likewise invited to send their music, before being invited to have Lunch to discuss their projects. Choreographers and Directors will, however, have to arrange a meeting. Technical Crew: Because performances at the Playhouse are often minimal with regards to set and scenery, there is not a huge Technical Crew. However, whenever anyone new is needed, then listings will be posted to the Magistrates Office and applicants will be called for interview.   NPCs Name: Octavius Schneider Race: Human DoB: 91st Spring 475 PoB: Syliras Title: Manager and Director Skills: Leadership:65xp:Expert, Acting:26xp:Competent, Design:23xp:Novice, Brawling:14xp:Novice Gnosis: None Additional Info: Octavius Schneider is the manager appointed by the Sitai family to run the Theatre, though he also works as a Director. Sometimes a little limited in vision, he has to be persuaded by others (including his patrons) to put on the sort of performances that the Playhouse is known for. He can be a little harsh, but this tends to be more a manifestation of his love for his job rather than genuine lack of regard for others. On the whole, he is a just and fair man, devoted to ensuring things make the most profit possible but also to good quality, innovation and value. Name: Vincent Belvoir Race: Human DoB: 83rd Summer 469 PoB: Alvadas Title: Slave - Actor and Usher Skills: Acting:35xp:Competent, Acrobatics,15xp:Novice Gnosis: None Additional Info: Vincent is the only slave permanently attached to the playhouse. He lives there, serving as a sort of gatekeeper come Night guard, and performs there, in his capacity as an actor. Vincent is a little odd, and has been known to get involved in very Avant-garde plays purely to push his body to the limits. He gets a kick out of dramatic pieces of performance art and has, in the past, slit his wrists on stage, much to the concern of both the writer and director of the play, and broken his leg while jumping from too high. Still, in spite of this, he is an excellent asset to the Theatre.   Star Performers Name: Millicent Fawn Race: Inarta, Human DoB: 67th Summer 475 (though it is suspected that she may, in fact, be older that) PoB: Wind Reach Title: Opera Singer Skills: Singing:59xp:Expert, Acting:5xp:Novice, Gnosis: None Additional Info: Millicent Fawn is a staple of the Playhouse, practically its live-in Singer, but also something of a mystery. According to her, she was born in Wind Reach in 475AV, but according to many other sources, her date of birth is earlier and she has apparent links to Sunberth. Nobody even seems to know if she truly does have natural red hair or any family, and she claims that nobody needs to know such trivial things. Millicent Fawn has both sacrificed and given a lot to carve herself a niche in the Artistic circles of Kenash. Although her background is unknown, her charm, street savvy and perfect legs have earned her respect. Name: Erik Ulren Race: Human DoB: 7th Winter 484 PoB: Alvadas Title: Opera Singer Skills: Singing:55xp:Expert, Acting:34xp:Competent, Gnosis: None Additional Info: Erik is a good actor and an even better singer, but has suffered many setbacks in his career, mainly due to his drug addiction. Born in Alvadas to an alcoholic Mother and an abusive Father, he too would have fallen into a dangerous rut, if it had not been for the fact that his parents obliged him to, quite literally, "Sing for his supper" in the streets of Alvadas. Noticed by a group of travelling players when he was twelve, they convinced the young boy that he could be rich if he came along with them on their journey. He willingly left his family and went with them, not realising that he was being exploited for close to two years. When he did make the realisation, they abandoned him in Taldera, penniless and friendless. It took him a while to hook onto another travelling group and, this time, he was a lot more careful although simultaneously starting to turn to alcohol. When they reached Kenash, the city pleased him enough for him to want to stay and he did so, where he became a member of the Playhouse's own company. Name: Winona Race: Human DoB: 17th Autumn 490 PoB: Zeltiva Title: Actress Skills: Acting:56xp:Expert, Singing:14xp:Novice, Acrobatics:15xp:Novice, Begging:30xp:Competent Gnosis: None Additional Info: Winona and her fiancé, Caspar, rolled into Kenash one Winter with nothing to their name but the clothes (and the rucksack) on their backs. Friends since childhood, which they both spent at the Farson Home for Orphans, and sharing a birthday, they were lovers from a very young age (when Winona was thirteen and Caspar was sixteen) At the age of fourteen, Winona ran off with Caspar, who had left the orphanage and was about to start an apprenticeship at the Lightshow Theatre. They soon immersed themselves completely in it and Winona started fostering dreams of being a leading light. After a few years, and a violent dispute with the Theatre's director - John Tawn - they left Zeltiva with a group of travelling merchants. When they arrived in Kenash, they were able to find the Theatre quite quickly and decided never to leave. Name: Caspar Whitehorse Race: Human, Svefra DoB: 17th Autumn 487 PoB: Zeltiva Title: Actor and Musician Skills: Acting:57xp:Expert, Architecture:19xp:Novice, Instrument - Fiddle:33xp:Competent, Begging:9xp:Novice Gnosis: None Additional Info: Caspar was born in Zeltiva, after his parents' ship docked there for Trade reasons. Quite by accident, and probably due to the largeness of his pod and the speed that was being taken to get out of the port quickly, they forgot him there. Taken up into the orphanage, the first years of his life were happy and he never thought about his parents very much, especially when Winona was around. When he was sixteen, he was forced to leave and was able to find an apprenticeship with the Lightshow Theatre, working in both the Technical Department, specifically with set, and acting in small supporting roles. He had always felt an affinity with the Theatre and very quickly did well for himself, before convincing Winona to join him. All seemed well until, four years later, he had a fight with John Tawn, accusing him of being dominant, selfish and blind to the needs of the Theatre. Consequently, he and Winona were kicked out without a coin. It was Caspar's idea to travel to Kenash and, again, his idea to stay. Name: Mercy Smoke Race: Human DoB: 49th Autumn 485 PoB: Alvadas Title: Dancer Skills: Dancing:62xp:Expert, Acrobatics: 39xp:Competent, Seduction:26xp:Competent, Business:21xp:Novice Acting:27xp:Competent, Gnosis: Unknown Additional Info: Mercy Smoke is a vivacious and pretty Dancer, who thinks there is nothing in life better than twirling around a stage wearing very little. Born in Alvadas into an affluent and loving family, the youngest of six children, she had a very happy childhood with parents who fostered her love of the stage and dance by hiring the best experts their money could buy to train her. When she left Alvadas with a Dance troupe and arrived in Kenash, they were very sad to hear that she was determined to stay, worried about the nature of the city. However, Mercy took to it like a duck to water and her antics on stage soon became well known and much appreciated by a Kenashian audience, more accustomed to the very serious side of the Playhouse, which everyone else involved revels in.   Goods or Services End of Season Performances - 7gm to 9gm Opera - 5gm-7gm Play - 4gm-6gm Ballet - 6gm-8gm Prices may, of course, vary - and travelling/independent companies may well set different prices, which are arranged between them and the Theatre. Performances are never cancelled in case of bad weather, unless it is judged dangerous to continue. Thus, it is not judged a suitable reason for getting your money back - it is advisable to bring some sort of cover if you think there is the possibility of rain. Refreshments also available: 1. Chilled Ale - 5sm 2. Ravokian Whiskey - 2gm 3. Chilled Citrus Juice - 2sm 5. Fresh Water with Cucumber - 2sm 6. Assorted Cocktails - between 5sm and 2gm, depending on cocktail 7. Wine - 1gm Location written by Adelaide Sitai.