Coast Mountain News Thursday, March 29, 2012
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Vol. 28 | No. 7 Thursday, March 29, 2012
Linda Chapman Library grand opening
Serving the Bella Coola Valley and the Chilcotin
Page 5
Curtain call for the cast of “The Noble Spaniard:” Brodie Tuck, Dwayne Saugstad, Angela Stavast, Scott Barnes, Ara Thommasen, Ray McIlwain, Leslie Harestad, Stephen Waugh, and Donna Mikkleson (left to right).
In “The Noble Spaniard” production, laughs take centre stage CHRISTINA BOUCHER On March 22, 23, and 24, theatre-goers had the unique pleasure of being able to take in some live comedic theatre at Lobelco Hall, where Somerset Maugham’s “The Noble Spaniard” was in production. This weekend saw 221 paid admissions, an excellent turnout; a portion of the proceeds goes to the Lobelco Hall fund. The show was the Bella Coola Valley Little Theatre Guild’s first offering since 2010, when they put on a holiday show to raise funds for flood recovery efforts. The lighthearted comedy was well-played by veteran and newcomer actors alike. Judging from the level of laughter coming from the audience, entertainment was in no short supply. New player Scott Barnes
brought down the house with his spirited, hilarious, and undeniably engaging portrayal of the title role, the Duke Don Ferdinand of Hermanos, the Noble Spaniard, with the right to wear his hat in the presence of the king, etcetera and etcetera. Following the Saturday night showing, Ray McIlwain was quick to offer praise for the hard work of director John Morton, calling attention to the long hours of organizational effort Morton devoted to the play. In contemporary theatre, the director's function is to ensure the quality and completeness of the production and to lead the members of the creative team into realizing the artistic vision for it. The director collaborates with a team, coordinating research, stagecraft, costume design, props, lighting design, acting, set design, stage combat,
and sound design for the production. Morton comments on the experience of directing: “It was a pleasure to work with the cast, and I was very happy to be able to bring some entertainment to the Valley and contribute to a long-standing tradition of local theatre.” Another outstanding element of “The Noble Spaniard” was the set design, which was elaborate and quintessentially Victorian, resulting from the efforts of many hard-working volunteers. Morton was quick to recognize Caroline Granander for her devotion to planning and overseeing the details of the set design and stage management, as well as Susan Osmers for her work on the costumes. Many community members also contributed labour, materials, and furnishings to the set.
Congratulations to the onstage cast on a job well done: Leslie Harestad (Lady Matilda Proudfoot), Ray McIlwain Sir Sebastian Proudfoot), Ara Thommasen (Marion Nairne), Angela Stavast (Lucy), Brodie Tuck (Mary Jane), Dwayne Saugstad (Captain Adolphus Chalford), Stephen Waugh (Count de Moret), Donna Mikkleson (Countess de Moret), and Scott Barnes (Duke don Ferdinand). Kudos to the additional offstage support provided by Lesley Harrison (Prompter and Stand-in, Make-up), John Breffitt and Charles Endicott (Set Construction), Fred Sorensen (Garden Scene), Inge Dahm (Lighting), Jenny Hall (Make-up), Jessica Winning (Hair), as well as Verna Mikkleson and David Dowling (Prelude and Interlude Music/ Piano).
Coming up in the April 12, 2012 issue of the Coast Mountain News:
“Local telehealth services increase access to mental health care” “Federal electoral boundaries commission for BC begins the process of readjusting boundaries” ...and an interview with Hagensborg Water District Trustees: what to expect for the 2012 AGM