Comedy, confusion and love take center stage at Geneva’s Shakespeare in the Park performance of “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” The drama unfolds at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Island Park.
A king convinces his lords to devote themselves to studying, fasting and swearing off women. The men agree but soon break that vow shortly after a princess and her ladies arrive in the kingdom. The men decide to secretly woo the women, but their letters become mixed up and delivered to the wrong person. The women resist these gestures and laugh at the men’s foolishness. Disguises and mistaken identities add to the confusion.
Goodly Creatures Theatre returns for its third year at Island Park to perform this thought-provoking play that explores education, cleverness, deception, gender relations, and love.
“‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ is not as well known as Shakespeare’s other works and is not performed as much because the language and themes are complicated. It takes work to bring out the comedy,” said Goodly Creatures Director Katrina Syrris.
The show, which is free and appropriate for all ages, runs about 90 minutes with no intermission. Seating begins at 4 p.m. at Island Park, located on the corner of State Street (Route 38) and Route 25 in Geneva. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics. Sandwiches, water, soft drinks, and ice cream will be available for purchase.
This year’s performance also will include two American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters.
Park Access
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early because all parking lots are located outside Island Park. The Route 31 underpass is closed as part of Union Pacific's Third Main Line construction project.
The closest public parking lots to Island Park are near the intersection of State Street and Route 25.
The Route 31 overflow commuter parking lot south of the railroad tracks and a portion of the Fox River Trail also have been shut down due to the Union Pacific construction. While parking is available at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., patrons should use the Fox River Trail detour to safely access Island Park.
Please check the City’s downtown parking map for other options.
The event is sponsored by the City’s Cultural Arts Commission. For more information, visit www.genevarts.org or call 630-938-4530.