Helen. An Al fresco classic comedy at the Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium.

Trunk Theatre presents the Canadian premiere of Euripides' Helen, in an adaptation by Frank McGuinness at the Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium in Coronation Park. It is seven years after the Trojan War. Helen of Sparta never went to Troy, but rather was spirited away to Egypt, and replaced with a false Helen by Hera to spite the Trojan prince Paris (for selecting Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess). A pawn in the wars of men and gods, a vilified Helen attempts to take control of her life, rescue her sweet but dim husband, and escape a dishonourable suitor through her wits and wiles. The Trojan War is fought over an illusion and truth is ever-shifting.

Opens Thursday, May 25th with evening performances Wednesdays-Saturdays 7:30pm from May 24th-June 3rd, 2023. Matinees are Tuesday, May 30th at 12:30pm & Sunday, May 28th & June 4th at 2:00pm.

Audiences bring their own chairs and/or picnic blankets. Seating is divided into a chair and wheelchair section and a picnic blanket section. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite or at the Box Office Picnic Table.

Company: Director: Amy DeFelice. Cast: Julie Golosky, Linda Grass, Sophie-May Healey, Kristin Johnson, Rebecca Merkley, Prudence Olenik, Caley Suliak, Jacquelin Walters and Alison Wells. Production Designer: Rory Turner. Associate Designer: Even Gilchrist. Stage Manager: Charlotte Braid. Choreographer: Eric Awuah.

Originally opened on September 22nd, 1960, the Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium is the first public planetarium in Canada and a Heritage building. In 1968, a zodiac inlaid stone mosaic (including Helen’s brothers - The Gemini) designed by Edith and Heinrich Eichner was added. Coronation Park is under exciting renovations, but parking is available at the Telus World of Science (112th-142 St) and the Westmount Transit Centre (135th St. & 111th Ave) is nearby.

Thank you to The Edmonton Arts Council and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for their support of Helen.

Host or Publisher Trunk Theatre