ARVIAT
The young thespians of the John Arnalukjuak High School Drama Club brought one of William Shakespeare's most beloved tragedies to life with their production of Romeo and Juliet in Arviat this past week.

The cast of the highly-successful production of Romeo and Juliet in Arviat this past week are, back row from left, Paulie Issumatarjuak, Kimberley Dymond, Dorian Ussak, Cheryl Nibgoarsi, Lydia Kaviok, Edith Issakiark, Robyn Koomuk and Phillip Okatsiak, and, middle row from left, Shelby Angalik, Kirsten Pameolik, Meeka Koomuk, Matthew Iblauk, Andy Evaloakjuk, Noah Muckpah, Catherine Harper and Brian Jr. Aglukark, and, front from left, director Gord Billard, Ethan Tassiuk, Kevin Mikiyungiak, Justin Suluk and Russell Suluk in Arviat. - Photo courtesy of JAHS Drama Club

Rave reviews from the 90 theatre-goers who attended the first public performance resulted in a significant rise in ticket sales for the club's final performance of the school year, with about 160 people taking in the show.

Even though Director Gord Billard is used to hearing positive comments about his youthful troupe, he was taken aback by the depth of compliments for Romeo and Juliet, with a number of folks suggesting it was the drama club's best work.

That comes as high praise, considering the club's record and its past performances of the Bright Blue Mailbox Suicide Note and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, to name but two.

Billard said the actors were absolutely amazing, especially the performances of Cheryl Nibgoarsi and Dorian Ussak in the lead roles.

"My lead actors were in top form for this play and really blew people away with their impressive performances," said Billard.

"It was amazing what they did with Shakespeare and they certainly surpassed all of my expectations.

"Our principal, Judy Connor, came for the evening performance after seeing the afternoon show and she told me the evening performance was even better because of the chemistry that developed between the two leads, who just kept delivering their lines perfectly."

Billard said Justin Suluk was warmly engaging in his role as Friar Lawrence, which was to be expected from an experienced cast member and known talent, but Dorian's performance was quite surprising, as he was new to the stage.

"Dorian came through like a seasoned professional and his performance was fabulous," said Billard.

"Cheryl was absolutely over the top and I don't know any other way to put it other than to say she was just on fire and everybody was just blown away by her performance.

"She knew the play inside-out and backwards, and she never missed a beat.

"The girl is passionate for theatre and her performance as Juliet was quite something - a rare moment that everyone is happy to be a part of."

Billard said close to 400 people saw Romeo and Juliet in Arviat over this past week.

He said he was proud to watch the performance captivate the crowd, especially with the tragedy's complicated, twisted plot and complex characters.

With the other two schools in Arviat already done for the summer break, Billard said the drama club only got to perform Romeo and Juliet three times, instead of the customary four.

"During the time that, normally, we would have been doing another afternoon show for the younger school kids, we did an extra dress rehearsal and -- even during that -- you could see we had something special going on from the kids being so into their characters," he said.

"The confidence level just shot up after that first show and, from then on, they just nailed it."

"They really, really did a great job on Romeo and Juliet!"

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