A Conversation with playwright and director Jacob Wiley-Borshell and producer Brittney-Lee Lowey, by Brian Speagle.
(Pictured: Brittney-Lee Lowey, producer, and Jacob Wiley-Borshell, director and playwright. Photo: Brian Speagle.)
Evolution of the Play
Jacob began writing this play in his first year of college, in 2018. He had made the decision to come out, and writing the play was a way he could express the feelings that accompanied his journey.
Fast forward to 2023, with an online reading of a draft entitled The Tale of Prince Austin, which tipped the scales at a generous 100-plus pages! He quickly realized that he needed to refine and rework this version to make his story leaner and clearer. The result is the script that Jacob and his colleagues are now rehearsing, The Forest Between Two Kingdoms, which comes in at a more manageable 60 pages!
Plot Summary
Prince Obsidian of the Crystal Kingdom has unfortunately come of age to take the same quest as every prince before him: to rescue a princess and take her for his bride. The issue? Obsidian isn’t sure that this path will bring him his happy ending.
With a forceful shove from his parents, Obsidian sets off on his quest and into a terrifying forest. Choosing to stray from the path, Obsidian finds himself on an unexpected adventure filled with magic, a hidden tavern, a runaway prince, and just maybe (if he ever finds her) a princess.
Will Obsidian find “happily ever after”… or stay trapped in a life he didn’t choose?
Directing Your Own Play
Jacob feels a very strong connection to the characters he has created in the play. As a playwright, his coming out parable has come to life through these people, and that has created a strong and powerful bond. A theatre director also must have a strong sense of who the people are who inhabit a script. So, to him, it seemed only natural that he would guide the premiere of his play to its fruition.
Points of Focus
The Forest Between Two Kingdoms is a play for the whole family. The cast and crew are hoping to draw a wide range of audiences, from first-timers to experienced theatre-goers. It is hoped that the themes of queer culture will encourage conversation and increase awareness of the importance of tolerance and inclusion. Also, it’s a London show! Written, directed, produced, acted, and crewed by Londoners.
The Producer’s Challenge
Brittney-Lee Lowey, the producer of The Forest Between Two Kingdoms, feels that this show will provide a unique experience for London audiences: an affirmation of queer culture within London community theatre.
She is up for the challenge of promoting an original play, using social media to provide background for the characters in the play, and the local actors who portray them. The cast is a wonderful mix of familiar faces that audiences will recognize immediately, and several welcome new talents.
Brittney-Lee also wishes to stress that this show is family-friendly, with a broad appeal to all ages.
The Play’s Cast
Prince Obsidian — Skylar Shelley
Prince Sorrel — Matt Butler
Simon — Coleton Dénommé
Princess Daisy — Nicole Surette-Bourque
Harriet — Anna Lee-Diemert
Ezra — Greg George
Queen Charlotte — Laura Williams
King Jasper — Brent Smith
IF YOU GO:
Dates/Times: August 11-15th (Preview on August 8th). The 8th/15th are at 2:00 PM; the 11th-15th are all at 7:30 — the 15th is a double-show day.
Location: The Auburn Stage at the Grand Theatre — 471 Richmond Street, London, ON.
Ticket Prices: From approximately $32 to $36.
Ticket Link: https://www.grandtheatre.com/event/forest-between-two-kingdoms
By Brian Speagle.
Brian Speagle is a founding member of Scooter Productions. Scooter Productions encourages and supports all of the arts in southwestern Ontario.
The Beat Magazine 2025 