Okotoks theatre group takes Robin Hood to Edmonton Fringe with 209 shows running

The Okotoks Erratic Players are taking their newest show to one of North America's largest theatre festivals. The Adventures of Robin Hood will be showcased at the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival from August 15 to 23, among more than 200 other productions.

The production, based on a script by playwright Oliver Emanuel, reimagines the classic English folk hero with a cast of just two actors who play multiple characters. Erratic Players member Katie Fournell has long wanted to bring this version of Robin Hood to the stage.

"Robin Hood has always been a legend that is very, very close to my heart, so getting to do kind of a true version of Robin Hood at the same time as the staging challenges of the script that is just written as a story, it's really fun," Fournell said.

The group had its first live performance of the show at The Venue in High River on August 8, with the Edmonton Fringe appearance marking its second outing. Although members acknowledge nervousness about competing among more than 200 simultaneous shows, Fournell said they feel more confident this year than during their previous festival attendance.

"I'm always daunted by the size of the Fringe and how much competition there is there. We're up against more than 200 other shows happening at the same time and it's like what's the reason to come see ours? But we're, I think, we're more ready this year than we were last year to tackle that part of it, and I'm really looking forward to it. And I think we've got a really great venue and some really good time slots," she said.

After Edmonton, the Erratic Players plan to showcase the production in Okotoks in October. The 45th Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival will feature 209 productions at 37 venues from August 13 to 23.