In Shakespeare's famous line from Hamlet, the words "mortal coil" were uttered to mean the bustle or turmoil of this mortal life.
For the Vancouver-based Mortal Coil Performance Society, the words have a decidedly more uplifting meaning.
Initially, when the artistic ensemble of performers began back in 1994, the professional theatre company performed on stilts and with puppets.
"We take 'mortal coil' to mean leaving our worldly cares to elevate ourselves to a higher spirit," said Sharon Bayly, the troupe's coartistic director and artist.
"Since stilts are about elevation and transformation, the name seems to fit."
Mortal Coil brings its imaginative, spectaclebased theatre to Richmond during a series of weekend workshops running July 23 to Aug. 15.
"All our workshops are for people of all ages and we are conducting them in lantern making, stilt walking, mask making and music," said the seasoned actress and stilt walker.
"Our plays and our workshops are all about creating fantasy . we take it (performance) out of the everyday life. We are larger than life."
Mortal Coil is known for "creating a sense of magic and myth to our performing characters through the use of stilts, masks and fantastic costuming," she added.
If you have ever taken your children to Stanley Park's Ghost Train and Bright Nights, then you have seen Mortal Coil performers. Since 1999, the company has been the artistic director for the two events.
Bayly said the company is thrilled to be still producing family entertainment, given the economic climate. And, she added, it's even more satisfying to teach their unique style of entertainment and art form to students of all ages.
"Stilt walking isn't that hard to learn, and people tell us once they learn they really enjoy it," said Bayly. "You get to see the world from a higher perspective."
There is another reason for bringing the workshops to Richmond and that is to get participants involved in Mortal Coil's newest project, and outdoor theatrical production called Salmon Row - one that will bring to life the sights and sounds of Steveston's early years.
Bayly added some of the participants in their upcoming workshops will have an opportunity to take part in the salmon lantern procession preceding the full-length production of Salmon Row.
"We will, in effect, be bringing the audience to the site," she added. "We have 12 professional actors playing real characters, but we will also draw from Richmond's youth performers as well."
Salmon Row explores issues of immigration, ethnic conflict, and the rich labour history of Steveston's cannery workers. The play will be presented at the Britannia Shipyards from Aug. 18 to 28. The dramatic piece will include the company's stilts, puppets, masks and its colourful costumes.
"We are taking some of the stories from the canneries and weaving them into the play," said Bayly. "We were inspired by the site itself.
"So much of our past and present revolves around the fishing industry."
For a full schedule of Mortal Coil's free weekend workshops, as well as dates and times, call Bayly at 604-874-6153 or visit www. mortalcoil.bc.ca.
