STC boss takes centre stage in Cold War-era spy thriller, rom-com

Sudbury theatre-goers will get a rare window into the talents of the Sudbury Theatre Centre's artistic executive director when Caleb Marshall takes the stage in the lead role of The Romeo Initiative. 

Set in the 1970s, this Cold War-era play — based on true events — is described as "a story of love and deception that's equal parts romantic comedy and spy thriller." 

Marshall, who typically calls the shots from the other side of the stage, this time decided to cast himself in the role of Markus Richter, someone he describes as "a charming but ordinary businessman" who also has a darker, more complex side. 

"I did hold auditions for the role, and I saw a number of strong actors, but there's two very different sides to this character, and almost everyone that auditioned for me I felt maybe got one side or the other," he said. 

"It started to dawn on me that I seemed to really to understand the role, and it was part of the reason I picked the play, because I quite love the play [by Trina Davies] ... and so I thought, "Yeah, it's been a couple years. I'll flex that muscle and let Sudbury see me in a bit of a new light." 

The Romeo Initiative opens March 3 at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. 

Listen to the complete interview with Caleb Marshall here. 

Morning North7:52Latest STC production features artistic director Caleb Marshall in the lead role

When the curtain rises for the STC's latest production The Romeo Initiative, audiences will get to see the theatre's artistic director playing the lead role. Caleb Marshall spoke spoke to us about being both the director and the lead in a play.