Legend comes to life

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There’s fainting, combat, a singing merry man, elaborate costumes and an ivy-covered tree in Port Townsend High School’s production of “The Heart of Robin Hood,” which opens this Friday, April 21.

Drama director Jennifer Nielsen decided to bring the play to the PTHS stage after seeing it four years ago at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

In David Farr’s new rendition of the English legend, Robin Hood (played by Henry Veitenhans) “is a hood,” Nielsen said. “He steals [from the rich], but only for his own gain – he doesn’t give anything to the poor.” It’s up to Maid Marion (Mimi Grant) to convince Robin to listen to his heart and save a country of poor people paying unfair taxes to the evil Prince John. Along the way, they fall in love. “It’s really more of a Marion show,” Nielsen said of the play.

The production of the play, which has 30 scene changes (and about an equal number of students and volunteers), has been one of the most challenging so far, but the cast and crew have been up for the adventure, Nielsen said.

(For more photos, see page B 8 of the Leader)