Upstage Magazine - Mustard

A GREAT PLACE TO READ ABOUT GREAT THEATRE · OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2018

VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 2

Kat Sandler’s comedy

Mustard –writing for the Netflix generation

Hello!

Welcome to the Belfry and our co-production of Mustard.

“Wonderful and weird…signals a powerful and welcome new voice in contemporary theatre” is what the Georgia Straight said in their review of this production when it opened in Vancouver in September.

Playwright Kat Sandler calls her work “writing for the Netflix generation.”

For our part we’re thrilled to welcome back to the Belfry two of our favourite actors: Jenny Wasko-Paterson (she starred in Mom’s the Word in 2016 and Alice Munro Stories in 2017) and Andrew McNee (from the musical Onegin).

Rounding out the cast are Heidi Damayo, Brett Harris, Chirag Naik, and Shekhar Paleja,

B4Play

Brian Markinson and Gregor Craigie Photo by Don Craig

all of whom are making their Belfry debuts in Mustard, as is director Stephen Drover.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 11 AM

As always, we look forward to seeing you at

Belfry Studio Theatre,

the theatre.

1291 Gladstone Avenue Free Event. A live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring director Stephen Drover, actor Heidi Damayo, and Samantha Beecher (Child, Youth, and Family Clinician at Saanich Child and Youth Mental Health and Devin

is produced four times per year and can be found at branches of the Greater Victoria Public Library, the Belfry and online at issuu.com/belfrytheatre. If you would like a digital copy please drop us a line at hello@belfry.bc.ca.

Stark (UVic’s Writing department, whose work focuses on literary humour as well as forms and techniques used in short fiction).

Our podcast of B4Play is available at belfry.bc.ca/podcasts.

Join Us

BELFRY THEATRE

instagram.com/belfrytheatre

vimeo.com/belfrytheatre

facebook.com/belfrytheatre

issuu.com/belfrytheatre

twitter.com/belfrytheatre

Mustard is generously supported by Tickets 250-385-6815

1291 GLADSTONE AVENUE VICTORIA, BC V8T 1G5 WWW.BELFRY.BC.CA

Upstage is supported by

That Friend Who’s Always There

BY RIANNE SPAANS

D O YO U RE M E M B E R T H AT F RIE ND WHO WAS ALWAYS THE RE F OR YOU?

emotional support that children receive from imaginary versus real

W H O AGRE E D W I T H A L L YOUR IDE AS, WHO NE V E R ARGUE D, AND

friends, and the deficit model was further invalidated by the discovery

SU P P O R T E D YO U T H RO UG H TOUGH TIM E S?

Now the question is, will

that children with and without imaginary friends did not differ in their

others remember him or her as well?

number of real friends.

Imaginary or invisible friends are a common occurrence during

Since these discoveries, imaginary friends are mostly accepted as a

childhood as an extension of imaginary play. This pretend play

normal part of development during early and mid childhood; however,

often starts as interactions with inanimate objects, such as dolls or

this assumption is not automatically applied to the adolescent

stuffed animals who come to life during tea parties and other play

population. As children get older, it is assumed that the invisible

sessions. For many children, imaginary friends eventually become

friends disappear, together with the tendency for imaginary play.

part of their pretend play in many different shapes and sizes. They

So where does that leave us for adolescents who do hold on to their

can be human or animal, boy or girl, and of all ages. Some children

special friends for longer than is typical? Do we return to the deficit

have invisible friends who are very similar to them in personality,

model for this age group? The limited research available for this topic

interests, and even appearance, while others see a persona that

and age group suggests that the answer to this question should be no,

is the opposite of who they are, or maybe a persona they would

and that perhaps it is possible to continue to view these friendships

like to be. It is unknown as to why some children are more likely

as a positive sign in development. The main argument used is the

to develop these special friendships. In the past, researchers have

fact that these friends can aid in the difficult processes of identity

suggested that girls are more likely to make these connections

exploration and formation, in a similar fashion as real friends would.

because of increased levels of imagination. Others, however, have

Furthermore, imaginary friends have also been viewed by some as a »

found no consistent differences across gender.

In addition to uncovering more about what imaginary friends look

For anybody with concerns related to imaginary friends or

like to children, researchers have also spent considerable time

difficult family transitions during childhood or adolescence

examining the impact of these types of friendships. Historically

there are several community supports available throughout

speaking, children with invisible friends were viewed as troubled

Greater Victoria.

and in need of help. This deficit model assumed that those who were unable to create friendships in real life were left with no choice but to make them up. Since then, research has been able to show

· Ministry of Children and Family Development – Child and Youth Mental Health (Saanich, Victoria, and West Shore)

the importance of imaginary play in the development of cognitive

· Pacific Centre Family Services Association

and socioemotional abilities during early childhood. Researchers

· Victoria Youth Clinic

confirmed that there is no difference in the perceived social and Andrew McNee (Mustard), and Heidi Damayo (Thai) in Mustard / Photo by Mark Halliday

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form of creative output that is considered harmless in most cases and

provided them with the feeling of security and comfort. Youth may

may provide stimulation to the adolescent brain in positive ways, just

experience sadness and anger or may be worried about the future

like other creative experiences might.

or how their parents are coping with the change. Difficulties may also be seen across different environments, such as lower grades

These imaginary friends can perhaps also assist youth through

or performance at school, or difficulties creating and maintaining

common adolescent struggles, such as difficulties with peers, self-

friendships. In some cases, youth may revert to a time when they were

esteem or family transitions. Family transitions refer to the changes

happier, and life was easier. They may subconsciously rely on that one

in family constellations through divorce, separations or blending of

invisible friend to help them through these challenging times and

multiple families. These types of changes can have a big impact on all

remind them of the power of friendships.

members of a household including parents, children and adolescents.

The family unit often is a source of safety for children and youth, and family transitions may therefore be viewed as an attack on what once

Cast & Creatives Andrew McNee

Jenny Wasko-Paterson

Heidi Damayo

MUSTARD

SADIE

THAI

Rianne Spaans is a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta, and currently the Pre-doctoral Psychology Resident at the Child and Youth Mental Health centres in West Shore and Saanich.

Why I Chose This Play

It is difficult to find intelligent comedies that have something to say. Kat Sandler appears to specialize in this rare genre. She is a young, accomplished, and respected playwright / director / producer – and her writing of Mustard won her a Dora Award in Toronto in 2016 for Outstanding New Play.

Comedy works best when it is based in reality. Every stand-up

Brett Harris

Shekhar Paleja

Chirag Naik

BUG

LESLIE

JAY

comic writes material that is rooted in their life – their relationships, their flaws, their hopes and how they’ve dashed them. We laugh most heartily when we laugh in recognition, of a situation or a feeling.

With Mustard, Kat Sandler has written a play that deals with some of life’s thornier issues: a wife who’s been left for another woman

Kat Sandler PLAYWRIGHT

Stephen Drover DIRECTOR

Kevin McAllister SET DESIGNER

and a teenage daughter who’s acting out. The jilted wife won’t sign the divorce papers and the daughter won’t give up her imaginary friend. Kat Sandler has written a very funny comedy about the need to move on – the need to get past the obstacles life throws in our way – and the obstacles we create for ourselves.

With the help of a big and brash imaginary friend – one who is constantly bewildered by humanity – Sadie and Thai, mother and

Carmen Alatorre

Alan Brodie

Brian Linds

COSTUME DESIGNER

LIGHTING DESIGNER

SOUND DESIGNER

daughter, try to navigate their way through the maze of hurt and the sense of betrayal. Beneath the recriminations and frustrations and the feelings of inadequacy is an ocean of love. With so much heart – and a certain amount of whimsy – with boyfriends and husbands and surprise visitors from who-knows-where, Kat Sandler has created a fantastical world out of an exceptionally real one.

Jan Hodgson

Jennifer Swan

Ranleigh Starling

STAGE MANAGER

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER

Tickets 250-385-6815

Her work is masterful, moving, and thoroughly satisfying.

Michael Shamata, Artistic Director

LIVE EVENTS

Belfry Librarian

—

Throughout Mustard we’ll

The wonderful librarians from the Greater Victoria Public Library have compiled a list of books and videos to help you get even more out of our production of Mustard.

host a number of events that will deepen your theatre experience or just plain astound you.

B4PLAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 11 AM

A live talk show hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie and featuring director Stephen Drover, actor Heidi Damayo and two experts from the community.

AFTERPLAY Facilitated discussions – audience member to audience member – will follow every evening performance of Mustard (except Opening Night and Talkback Thursday). These are a great opportunity to share your thoughts and hear fellow patrons’ reactions to the production and the ideas it presents.

TALKBACK THURSDAY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Meet some of the actors post-performance when they return to the stage to answer questions and provide insight into the play.

FREE CHILDCARE PERFORMANCES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT 2 PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 AT 4 PM (MATINEE)

To help young families experience the Belfry, we offer inexpensive tickets and free childcare (for children aged 3 – 10) on select weekend afternoons.You can sign your children up when you buy individual tickets for Mustard. Childcare space must be reserved in advance, at least 1 week prior to your chosen performance. To learn more, please email us at

Calvin

by Martine Leavitt

The Inseparables

by Stuart Nadler

Chocky

by John Wyndham

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

by Matthew Dicks

The Doll Funeral

by Kate Hamer

Moone Boy (DVD)

“Get out of my life, but first could you drive me and Cheryl to the mall?”

by Anthony E. Wolf

Opal Dream (DVD)

Goodbye Stranger

by Rebecca Stead

The Possibility of Everything

by Hope Edelman

Harvey (DVD)

Sundays at Tiffany’s

by James Patterson

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage

by Alice Munro

Pobby and Dingan

by Ben Rice

Compiled by Melissa Ferguson, Library Assistant, Greater Victoria Public Library

hello@belfry.bc.ca, or call the box office at 250-385-6815 to reserve your tickets and free childcare.

VOCALEYE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT 2 PM

For our patrons with low or no vision, we offer a VocalEye performance during Mustard. Trained Audio Describers provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing people with low vision to enjoy the theatrical experience without missing any of the details.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SUPPORTERS

Dave Lee

Dave and fellow volunteer Penny at our Volunteer Appreciation Event PHOTO BY PETER POKORNY

Belfry Volunteer and Legacy Donor The Belfry has more than 250 volunteers who work in our concession,

Diana had the following to say about Dave:

our lobby and theatre spaces throughout the season. Their unpaid labour helps make it possible to keep ticket prices affordable. The

“Dave was a likeable, loveable, kind man. He

Belfry was fortunate to have David Neil Lee as one of those very

travelled a lot; he would join groups and take

dedicated volunteers for a decade. Sadly, Dave (whose Chinese name was Kwok Keong Lee) passed away last year due to unexpected

a chance and just go. He loved the arts and he

complications during heart surgery, just before his 73rd birthday.

volunteered at other venues around Victoria. I know

Dave, who has been described as a “quiet, gentle man,” had devoted

he really enjoyed the Belfry Theatre, as we had

his life after retirement to volunteering for many charities and causes.

many discussions about the play we had just seen.”

Eryn Yaromy, our Box Office Supervisor, describes Dave as very keen and enthusiastic about the Belfry, and our Front of House Manager Jane Broomfield remembers Dave as an attentive volunteer who made helpful suggestions. Dave is also remembered fondly by his fellow Belfry volunteers, including Virginia Wong and Diana Clark, who both recall that he went everywhere by bicycle and could

Dave was also very generous. After his death, we learned that he had made a planned gift in his will for the Belfry. While we did not have the opportunity to thank Dave personally for this generous gift, we paid tribute to him at this year’s volunteer appreciation event and are very grateful to Dave for leaving this legacy for the community.

frequently be encountered at the library.

For information about estate planning and becoming a Belfry Legacy member, please contact Susan Stevenson 250-385-6835 ext. 229 or development@belfry.bc.ca Tickets 250-385-6815

Calendar Mustard PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

October 30—November 25, 2018 Tuesdays – Thursdays at 7:30 pm Wednesday Matinees at 1 pm (November 7, 14, 21) Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm Saturday Matinees at 4 pm Sunday Matinees at 2 pm Free Childcare Performances Sunday, November 11 at 2pm Saturday, November 24 at 4pm Audience Engagement Schedule B4PLAY · Saturday, October 27 at 11 am TALKBACK THURSDAY · November 8 AFTERPLAY · Following all

evening performances* VOCALEYE · Described performance

Sunday, November 18 at 2 pm * Except Opening Night and Talkback Thursday

How to buy tickets By telephone 250 385 6815

Please have your credit card ready, as well as the

Want to join us for the rest of the season?

There’s still time to get a Belfry Flex Pass: four vouchers that can be used for any of our shows, in any combination (through May 2019).

See four shows by yourself, attend twice with a partner, or bring three friends to that one show you’ve all been wanting to see.

Book your Flex Pass now, and reserve your seats at any time. If your plans change, the Flex Pass gives you the freedom to reschedule right up until show time.

Adult Flex Pass $166

date and time of the performance you wish to attend.

Online

Visit belfry.bc.ca/tickets and buy your tickets online, anytime.

In person

Drop by our Box Office.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express,

Call the Box Office at

250-385-6815 to get yours today.

debit card, cheques, and, of course, cash.

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Up Next December 4 —December 23 2018

Griffin & Sabine

By Nick Bantock

Adapted for the stage by Nick Bantock and Michael Shamata

MUSTARD SPONSOR

PUBLIC FUNDERS

Belfry Theatre 1291 GLADSTONE AVENUE VICTORIA, BC

V8T 1G5

SEASON SPONSORS