A Christmas Carol - Western Canada Theatre Show Programme

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THANK YOU TO OUR valued SUPPORTERS Presenting Partner

Government Support

Foundation

Season Partners

A Christmas Carol Show Sponsors

Spotlight Sponsor

Pre-Show Salon Partners

PWYC Mainstage MatinĂŠe Sponsor

Student Club Sponsor

GENERAL NOTES In consideration of your fellow audience members’ comfort and enjoyment of the show, we ask the following: Electronic Devices: We request that all cellular phones and watch alarms be turned off prior to the show.

Late Seating Policy: Patrons who arrive after a performance has begun will not be seated until an appropriate interval in the program.

Scent-free Facilities: Please arrive perfume/cologne-free and do not bring flowers into the lobby or theatre.

Children: WCT Productions, unless they are identified as Family Friendly, are not suitable for children or babes in arms. Every patron, regardless of age, requires a ticket. For more information, please visit the FAQs on wctlive.ca.

Recording Policy: Due to copyright regulations, the use of cameras and other video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.

Services for Patrons with Disabilities: Both the Pavilion and Sagebrush theatres are wheelchair accessible and equipped with wheelchair seating locations; please see the House Manager for details.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL A new version by

JAMES MACDONALD

From the book by CHARLES

FEATURING

DICKENS

(in alphabetical order)

Elizabeth Barrett Cohen Chow Quentin Clark Andrew G. Cooper Rachel Farrow Brett Harris Bryce Kulak Thom Marriott Janet Michael Alex Mittelsteadt Carmela Sison Emma Slipp Kirk Smith Michael Spencer-Davis Christopher Weddell Leon Willey

Belle, Martha Cratchit, Caroline, Maid Tiny Tim Cratchit, Boy Scrooge, Ignorance Phillip Cratchit, Tommy, Boy with Turkey Butcher, Pocket, Dick Wilkins, Undertaker Belinda Cratchit, Christmas Past #1 George, Young Scrooge, Topper Musician, Edwin, Cousin Oliver Fezziwig, Spirit of Christmas Present, Tackleton Nell, Mrs. Dilbert, Mrs. Fezziwig Young Ebenezer, Peter Cratchit, Violin Fanny, Christmas Past #3, Lucy, Christmas Future #2 Mrs. Cratchit, Christmas Past #2, Charwoman Fred, David, Christmas Future #1 Ebenezer Scrooge Jacob Marley, Old Joe, Uncle Charles Bob Cratchit

Artistic Personnel James MacDonald Bryce Kulak Amir Ofek Marian Truscott Narda McCarroll Christine Leroux Madison Henry Michelle Chabassol Andrew G. Cooper Brett Harris

Director Composer, Music Director Set Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager Assistant Director Dialect Coach

Western Canada Theatre is a professional non-profit company. It is an active member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

Program Producer: Western Canada Theatre • wctlive.ca • 250-372-3216 Printer: Wayside Press • www.waysideco.ca • 250-372-3373 Box Office: Kamloops Live! Box Office • kamloopslive.ca • 250-374-5483

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Happy Holidays to you and your family from BCLC

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director’s notes I’ve lived with the story of A Christmas Carol my whole life. Watching the film on snowy Christmas Eves was a family tradition, and my father often quoted the film when he was commenting on some aspect of humanity. As I got older, I realized that there are very few stories that so accurately sum up the human spirit.

The phrase “timeless” can be overused, but there is no better word to describe this story. In many ways, the social and human conditions that Charles Dickens was fighting against when the story was published in 1843 have not changed much to this day. This is also a very personal story, and Dickens understood how easy it is for all of us to feel a hint of Scrooge – embittered by regret, obsessed with our own lives, and forgetful or neglectful of what we can do to make a positive impact on the world.

Fortunately, this is a story about redemption, hope, and possibility, and the fact that it is never too late in life to change for the better and to improve the world around us. We are reminded of how lucky we are to live in the wonderful community of Kamloops, where looking out for each other, charity for the less fortunate, and a belief in the positive potential of the human spirit are hallmarks of our city. The power of live theatre lies in experiencing these stories in the company of our fellow citizens, and it is our pleasure to bring this story to life on our stage in this brand new production.

On behalf of all of us at Western Canada Theatre, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

James MacDonald Director, A Christmas Carol Artistic Director, Western Canada Theatre Dickensian Trivia Impact of A Christmas Carol: In the spring of 1844 The Gentleman’s Magazine attributed a rise of charitable giving in Britain to Dickens’s novella.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL

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CHARLES DICKENS: Life & influences Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812. His many novels include such classics as A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations. Even in his own time, Dickens was widely popular, appealing to simple and sophisticated tastes, to the poor and to the queen, and technological developments (e.g., steamships, the telegraph) enabled his fame to spread worldwide very quickly.

Dickens’ origins were middle class. His father, a clerk in the navy pay office, was well paid, but subject to extravagance and ineptitude. By 1824, the family had reached bottom, when his father was sent to debtors prison and Charles, the eldest son, was set to manual work in a factory.

After his father was released, Charles briefly returned to school before leaving finally at 15.

From there he worked as an office boy, before becoming a newspaper reporter. In 1833, he began submitting sketches to various magazines and newspapers under the pseudonym “Boz,� which contributed to his first book, Sketches by Boz, published in 1836. In this same year, he married Catherine Hogarth, with whom he had 10 children.

In February 1836, he was invited to provide a comic serial narrative to accompany engravings by a well-known artist; seven weeks later the first installment of The Pickwick Papers appeared. Within a few months, Pickwick was the rage and Dickens the most popular author of the day. Dickens then undertook to edit a monthly magazine, Bentley’s Miscellany, in which he serialized Oliver Twist (1837–39), the first of his many popular novels. The story was inspired by how Dickens felt as an impoverished child forced to get by on his wits. In 1842, Dickens and his wife embarked on a lecture tour of the United States, which was immensely popular, although he voiced his opposition to slavery.

Early in 1843, as a response to a government report on the abuse of child laborers in mines and factories, Dickens vowed he would strike a “sledge-hammer blow . . . on behalf of the Poor Man’s Child.� That sledge-hammer was A Christmas Carol.

During the 1850s, Dickens published many of his most famous novels. He also separated from his wife during that decade and struck up with a young actress named Ellen “Nelly� Ternan.

In 1865, Dickens was in a train accident and never fully recovered. Despite his fragile condition, he continued to write and tour until shortly before his death. After suffering a stroke, Dickens died at age 58 on June 9, 1870 and was buried in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey, with thousands of mourners gathering. Remembered as one of the most important and influential writers of the 19th century, he has been lauded for providing a stark portrait of the Victorian era underclass, helping to bring about societal change.

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Enjoy the Show!

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ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES Elizabeth Barrett Belle, Martha Cratchit, Caroline, Maid At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Elizabeth Barrett is a recent graduate of Studio 58’s Professional Acting Training Program in Vancouver. She is thrilled to be joining the Western Canada Theatre team to tell one of her favourite holiday tales, A Christmas Carol! Previous credits include Harper in Angels in America, Maggie Jones in 42nd Street, Flaca in The Refugee Hotel (Studio 58), and Gordon in East Van Panto’s Little Red Riding Hood (Theatre Replacement).

You can catch Elizabeth in the new year in Greenthumb’s production of The Code.

Happy Holidays!

Michelle Chabassol Apprentice Stage Manager At WCT: Million Dollar Quartet Elsewhere: This is Michelle’s second show as an apprentice, and she is very excited to work on this wonderful show and be a part of such a fantastic team. She wants to thank everyone at WCT and the Kamloops Live!

Box Office, as well as her husband, Bill, for their love and support!

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Cohen Chow Tiny Tim Cratchit, Begging Child, Boy Scrooge, Ignorance At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: A Kamloops hometown boy, Cohen is very excited about his performance debut. Outside of theatre, he loves to run and plays soccer and baseball.

He also loves to listen to country music with his big sister, Meira, and is currently learning to play the guitar.

Quentin Clark Phillip Cratchit, Tommy, Boy with Turkey At WCT: Mary Poppins Elsewhere: Quentin is 11 years old and in his final year of Montessori at Aberdeen Elementary. He has attended several WCT Stage One Theatre classes; the highlight of his theatre life so far was playing Michael Banks in WCT’s Mary Poppins in 2015.

He has performed at the Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts for the past 5 years and been awarded top marks in Speech and Dramatic Arts from the Trinity College of London. In his spare time Quentin loves building with Lego and other crafts, singing, listening to music, skiing, skating, riding his bike, and playing with his little brother Alex. He’s also very involved in sports, with soccer, pond hockey, football and school sports, like volleyball and basketball, occupying much of his time.

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Andrew G. Cooper Assistant Director, Undertaker, Pocket, Dick Wilkins, Butcher At WCT: As Assistant Director: Mamma Mia! and The Cure for Death by Lightning.

As Actor: The House at Pooh Corner and Masterpiece Theatre: Redux (High-Wire Festival).

Elsewhere: As a director: Mockus, The Untold Tales of the Brothers Grimm, Perseus & Andromeda (Chimera Theatre), The Witness, The Disordered Mind, Crossroads (Tranquille Tunnel Theatre), and The Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda (Thompson Rivers University). Favourite acting credits include Bagheera in The Jungle Book, The Monkey King in The Wizard of Oz, Guy of Gisbourne in The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, and Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Project X Theatre).

Andrew holds his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from TRU, is a nominee for the Kamloops Mayor’s Artist of the Year Award in Performing Arts, and is the founding Artistic Managing Director of Chimera Theatre. He has won two awards for Outstanding Choreography for his work with the Academy of Dance.

In February, Andrew will be directing his new adaptation of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley at Chimera Theatre.

Rachel Farrow Belinda Cratchit, Christmas Past #1, Want At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Rachel has had the opportunity to develop her stage presence through talent shows and recently performed a solo in the spring rendition of A Jungle Book at her school. She has also performed at the Festival of Performing Arts Honours Concert on piano. Rachel is very excited to be working with such a great cast and crew in what will hopefully be her first of many productions! Special thanks to James MacDonald for giving her the opportunity to grow her abilities and explore acting as a possible career.

Brett Harris George, Young Scrooge, Topper At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Brett is originally from England and now resides and works in Vancouver.

Recent theatre includes Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (Chemainus), Lonny in Rock of Ages (Arts Club), Sam in Creeps (Realwheels/Cultch), Baby in Mojo, Wayne in Hidden, Lorenzo in Merchant of Venice (Itsazoo), Renton in Trainspotting (Rumble), and The Miser, Laburnum Grove (Western Gold). Select theatre, England: Torvald in Ibsen’s A Dolls House and Jimmy Porter in John Osborne’s Look Back In Anger. Two-time Jessie Award Winner for Best Actor in Mojo and Best Ensemble Performance in Creeps. Other: All the love in the world, and a happy ten-year anniversary, to my beautiful partner in crime–Kate.

Madison Henry Assistant Stage Manager At WCT: Stage Manager: The House at Pooh Corner, Bird Brain. Assistant Stage Manager: Million Dollar Quartet. Apprentice Stage Manager: The Comedy of Errors, Mamma Mia!, Made In Italy, In A Blue Moon, Habib’s Unforgettable All Night House Party, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, Mary Poppins Elsewhere: Stage Manager: TH’OWXIYA: The Hungry Feast Dish (Axis Theatre Company), Assistant Stage Manager: The Wizard of Oz (Project X Theatre). Other: Maddy is so excited to be apart of this wonderful show! Many thanks to James and Lori for the opportunity to work with this amazing team, and to Christine for leading the way and absolutely killing it!

Extra thanks to her Mom, Dad, and Greg for everything! Happy Holidays!

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Bryce Kulak Composer, Music Director, Edwin, Cousin Oliver For WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Bryce has been performing across Canada for 25 years, including productions at Mirvish (The Lord of the Rings), Marquis Entertainment (2 Pianos 4 Hands), Theatre Aquarius (Billy Bishop Goes to War), The Citadel (Oliver!, The Music Man), and Theatre Calgary (Camelot). Most recently he was pianist and composer for the world English premiere of To The Light at Alberta Theatre Projects. Bryce made his debut as a singer-songwriter with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Award-winning projects as a composer include the musical Nami Namersson, the play Bears, the short musical La Casati, and the movie-musical The Man That Got Away, in which Bryce also starred.

He co-created and tours with Tom Allen’s chamber-musicals Bohemians in Brooklyn, The Judgment of Paris, From Weimar to Vaudeville, and The Missing Pages. Bryce has performed a series of sold-out cabarets at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre; highlights are on their podcast.

His albums Welcome, Tin Can Telephone, and The Man That Got Away are on iTunes. Bryce thanks Max Telzerow and Sandie Newton. brycekulak.com

KAMLOOPS

Christine Leroux Stage Manager At WCT: As Stage Manager: The Best Brothers, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth, Made in Italy. As Assistant Stage Manager: The Cure for Death by Lightning, Ring of Fire, Comedy of Errors, Blythe Spirit, Habib’s Unforgettable All-Night House Party, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, Don’t Dress for Dinner.

Elsewhere: TH’OWXIYA: The Hungry Feast Dish, Raven Meets the Monkey King (Axis Theatre Company), and Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth (TIP). Other: Christine is very excited to be back for another Christmas with WCT! She would like to thank James and Heather for inviting her to be a part of this incredible production and everyone at WCT for their continued support! Enjoy the show!

James MacDonald Playwright, Director At WCT: Million Dollar Quartet.

James is also the artistic director of Western Canada Theatre.

Elsewhere: Originally from Edmonton, James is the former associate artistic director at the Citadel Theatre, where he directed or acted in 36 productions over 15 years. He has directed for theatres across the country, including the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, Canadian Stage, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and Alberta Theatre Projects. He is also the founding artistic director of the River City Shakespeare Festival and the former Program Director of the Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program. Upcoming: This season at WCT, he is looking forward to directing the world premiere of GLORY, based on an incredible true story of Canadian hockey.

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Dickensian Trivia Much drawn to theatre, Dickens almost became a professional actor in 1832.

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Thom Marriott Spirit of Christmas Present, Fezziwig, Tackleton At WCT: Slank in Peter and the Starcatcher; Old Man in A Christmas Story; and Lloyd Dallas in Noises Off. Elsewhere: Ben Loman in Death of A Salesman (Drayton Entertainment); George Crofts in Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Tarleton in Misalliance, Harry Brock in Born Yesterday, Sir Ralph Bonington in A Doctor’s Dilemma, Hector in Drama at Inish (Shaw Festival); Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gower in Pericles, Duke of York in Henry VI, Duke Vincentio in Measure for Measure, Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Gooper in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Stratford Festival); George Kittredge in Philadelphia Story (Theatre Calgary); Long John Silver in Treasure Island (Theatre New Brunswick); and Tremouille in Saint Joan (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). TV credits include Murdock Mysteries, Republic of Doyle (CBC), Suits (USA), Salvation (CBS), Nikita (CTV), and Man Seeking Woman (FXX). Other: Much love to Kerry Ann, and to his children, Liam and Anwen, for their love and support.

CONGRATULATIONS to WCT on another great production!

(250) 554-5413 peter.milobar.mla@leg.bc.ca @PeterMilobar

Narda McCarroll Lighting Designer At WCT: Mary’s Wedding Elsewhere: Favourite Designs: To the Light, Gracie, Slipper, Cockroach, The Circle, Red (Alberta Theatre Projects); Blow Wind, High Water (Theatre Calgary); Peter and the Starcatcher, Venus in Fur, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, Extinction Song, Vimy, The Penelopiad (Citadel Theatre); Vigilante (Catalyst Theatre); The 39 Steps, Turn of the Screw, The Haunting, Sweeney Todd (Vertigo Theatre); The Mikado (Calgary Opera); Gracie, The Trespassers (Belfry Theatre); and The Drowning Girls (national tour). Narda designed the costumes for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival in Edmonton for sixteen seasons. She also designed costumes for the feature film Cut Bank.

Coming up: Narda will be designing GLORY here in Kamloops and Brontë: The World Without at Stratford. She is the recipient of 4 Sterling Awards, 2 Betty Mitchell Awards, and a Victoria Critics’ Choice Spotlight Award. See her work at narda.ca.

Janet Michael Nell, Mrs. Dilbert, Mrs. Fezziwig, Aunt Bess At WCT: Blithe Spirit, Waiting for the Parade, Noises Off, Sexy Laundry, Molly’s Veil, Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout, Witness for the Prosecution, If We are Women, Unity (1918)…. among others.

Elsewhere: Janet has worked across Canada as an actor, director, writer, and designer at various theatres, including Rising Tide Theatre, Resource Centre for the Arts, Centaur Theatre, Workshop West, Richmond Gateway, Caravan Farm Theatre, Chemainus Theatre, and Vancouver Playhouse. She was honoured in 2016 to have her play Habib’s Unforgettable All Night House Party debut at Resource Centre for the Arts, St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Western Canada Theatre.

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Alex Mittelsteadt Young Ebenezer, Peter Cratchit, Violin At WCT: Flick in A Christmas Story Elsewhere: Fantastic Mr. Fox (XFest); Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliette, Seusical Jr, Cinderella, The Adventures of Mr. Toad, Hansel and Gretel, and Not Another Stage One Play (WCT Stage One Theatre School). Other: Alex, who is in grade 10 at Sahali Secondary, has great enthusiasm for the arts and languages.

He is in classical voice training with Tomas Bijok and recently achieved honours for his classical repertoire in The Provincial Festival of the Performing Arts. He has studied violin with Norris Berg and played with the Thompson Valley Orchestra for 4 years.

Dance has become a passion, with endless hours of tap and ballet classes every week and helping as a student teacher at The Academy of Dance. Alex is thrilled to be back at WCT and is so thankful to everyone who has helped get him here, especially his parents, grandparents, and brother, who are his most devoted theatrical assistants.

Amir Ofek Set Designer At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Amir was born and raised in Israel. He graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design (London) with a BFA in Theatre Set and Costume Design and an MFA in Theatre Set Design from Brandeis University (Boston). He designed for productions in London, Tel-Aviv, Boston, Waltham (MA) and Durham (NC), where he worked as the resident set and costume designer and a guest lecturer in theatre design for Duke University Department of Theatre Studies. Amir currently lives in Vancouver, designing for local theatre companies such as The Arts Club and Bard on the Beach. For a full professional resume and production photos, visit amirofek.wordpress.com.

Carmela Sison Fanny, Christmas Past #3, Lucy, Christmas Future #2 At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Selected Theatre: The Merchant of Venice, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Bard on the Beach); Dead Metaphor (Firehall Arts Centre); Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Calgary); Jailbait (Northern Light Theatre); Are We There Yet? (Concrete Theatre); and Cowboy vs Samurai (Chromatic Theatre). Selected TV: The Flash, Colony, Zoo, Bates Motel. Other: Carmela is ecstatic to be making her WCT debut with this wonderful show. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Emma Slipp Mrs. Cratchit, Christmas Past #2, Charwoman At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Emma is an actor based in Vancouver. Some of her career highlights include Henrietta in Silent Sky (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Tabby in The Elbowroom Cafe (Zeezee Theatre); Lydia Languish in The Rivals (Blackbird Theatre), Annie in Farewell My Lovely (The Arts Club/ Vertigo); Tina in Moss Park (Green Thumb/ GCTC); Fay in The Concessions (Touchstone/ PTC/Firehall); Sharla in Killer Joe (Itsazoo (Jessie Nomination)); Malefia in Sleeping Beauty (The Globe Theatre); Lina Lamont in Singing in the Rain (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Masha in Three Sisters (The Only Child Collective (Jessie Nomination)); Regan in King Lear (The Honest Fishmongers (Jessie Nomination)); Florence in Trolley Car (Solo Collective (Jessie nomination)); Mary Warren in The Crucible (Two Planks and a Passion); and Rosamund in The Violet Hour (The Belfry). She has toured with Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia in The Very Hungry Caterpillar across Canada, the USA, South Korea and Singapore. Emma is a graduate of Studio 58.

Dickensian Trivia The full title of the novel is A Christmas Carol: Being a GhostStory of Christmas 17

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Kirk Smith Fred, David, Christmas Future #1 At WCT: Don’t Dress For Dinner, The 39 Steps, Les Misérables, Boeing Boeing, Fiddler on the Roof, The Importance of Being Earnest, Noises Off, A Christmas Carol, Wit, My Fair Lady, Seussical and created a piece for the 2012 Highwire Festival.

Elsewhere: Some of Kirk’s work elsewhere includes Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Billy Elliot, A Twisted Christmas Carol, History Boys (Arts Club); Leading Ladies, Little Shop of Horrors (Persephone Theatre); Jeeves Takes a Bow, A Shayna Maidel (Chemainus Theatre Festival); The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon, Home Ice (Theatre North West); and The Importance of Being Earnest (Thousand Islands Playhouse). He has also appeared many times with Project X, including in James and the Giant Peach, Romeo and Juliet, The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr, The Rocky Horror Show, Twelfth Night, Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Kirk co-produced and acted in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me in a vacant commercial space in downtown Kamloops with Dancing Monkey Presents.

Michael Spencer-Davis Ebenezer Scrooge For WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Michael just closed his 7th season at the Stratford Festival, appearing in Timon of Athens, The Changeling and The Madwoman of Chaillot. Other productions there include Julius Caesar, Shakespeare in Love, Taming of The Shrew, Richard III, Possible Worlds, The Aeneid, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Beaux Stratagem. Michael has enjoyed working around the country and recent productions include Art (Grand Theatre); The Hound of The Baskervilles (Globe Theatre); Boeing Boeing (Theatre Aquarius); Vigil (Prairie Theatre Exchange); Having Hope at Home (Neptune Theatre); Innocence Lost (Centaur/ National Arts Centre); The Lonely Diner (Blyth Festival); Putnam County Spelling Bee (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Romeo and Juliet (NAC); The Elephant Man (Canadian Stage); Einstein’s Gift and As You Like It (Citadel). Michael goes on to perform in Silence by Trina Davis at The Grand Theatre, as well Jerusalem for Company and Outside the March Theatres, before heading back to Stratford. www.michaelspencerdavis.com

Dickensian Trivia – A Christmas Carol was published 19 December 1843. By the close of February 1844, eight rival theatrical productions of the novella were playing in London. The story has been adapted for film and television more than any of Dickens’s other works. While there have been numerous film adaptions of A Christmas Carol, the 1951 version starring Alastair Sims as Scrooge is generally agreed to be the definitive version.

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Marian Truscott Costume Designer At WCT: The Cure for Death by Lightning, The House at Pooh Corner, In a Blue Moon (coproduction with The Arts Club Theatre Touring Series), The 39 Steps, Silent Chap, My Fair Lady, amongst many others Elsewhere: Recent theatre credits: Newfoundland Mary (Lunch Box Theatre, Calgary); The Liar (TRU Actors Workshop Theatre); Alice In Wonderland (Theatre North West, Prince George). A few past credits: Bemused (Theatre North West); James and the Giant Peach, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (Project X Theatre), and Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Lunch Box Theatre). Other: This past October found Marian teaching the “Introduction to Costumes” session at Thompson Rivers University and, on a grassy bluff above Kamloops Lake, coordinating costumes for an Indie Short Film. Thanks James and WCT for asking me to work at home, where I can sleep in my own bed and snuggle with my mini-schnauzers!

Christopher Weddell Jacob Marley, Uncle Charles, Old Joe At WCT: Blithe Spirit, Silent Chap, The Importance of Being Earnest, Noises Off, Keeper of the Light, Amadeus, The McLean Boys Elsewhere: Waiting for Godot (Kaspar Theatre, Prague); Richard II (Bard On The Beach); Love On The Plastic (Pink Ink).

Upcoming: Pericles (Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival). Other: A graduate of the Playhouse Acting School, Christopher has played on stages in Europe and Canada.

Christopher is a founding member and past Artistic Associate of Bard on the Beach.

Weddell has written several plays, including a hit adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels for WCT family Kaleidoscope Theatre.EVENT In 2005, Christopher received the Edmund Kean Sword Award from the Bard on the Beach. In 2017, he received an NCRC award for sound design/ production of The Charles Campbell Story.

As founder/owner of Shakescenes, he teaches acting workshops across the country.

Weddell has taught at The Canadian College of Performing Arts since 2000.

Leon Willey Bob Cratchit At WCT: Leon has enjoyed many seasons at WCT. Coming here is a Christmas tradition it seems.

Past show favourites for WCT include Bert in Mary Poppins, Harry in Mamma Mia!, and Fighting Prawn in Peter and The Starcatcher.

Elsewhere: Having just finished a production of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline in Victoria, I am eager to switch gears and be a part of this wonderful adaptation of A Christmas Carol. A huge thanks to the creative team here in Kamloops for their continued support of great theatre. I want to thank my beautiful wife KJ and my little daughter Sawyer. Next, I will be heading to the Citadel Theatre for another go at Mamma Mia! Merry Christmas everyone!

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Victorian Revival of Christmas Many popular customs associated with Christmas have origins in pre-Christian festivals celebrated around the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year. When Constantine I became the first Christian emperor of Rome, he co-opted the December festivals of Saturn and Mithras for a celebration of Christ’s birth. Initially the arrival of the Magi, known as the Epiphany, celebrated on 6 January, and Easter were more widely celebrated. However, once the mediaeval Emperor Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day 800 AD, the date took on greater significance.

By the Middle Ages, Europeans had adapted pagan rituals into Christmas celebrations. On Christmas, believers attended church, then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today’s Mardi Gras. In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe; in England, it was even cancelled for a while when Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over in 1645.

Although Christmas was revived after The first commercially produced Christmas card, 1843, Cromwell, by the beginning of the 19th designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole. century Christmas was hardly celebrated.

Some businesses did not even recognize it.

However, in the 1840s and 1850s, Christmas had a revival and many of the traditions that we recognize today were invented, including the Christmas card and the cracker. Other traditions already recognized became more significant, such as the decorating of the home, which became much more elaborate, and carols, which were revived and popularized. continued....

Dickensian Trivia Like many poor families, the Cratchit’s in A Christmas Carol had nothing in which to roast meat. They relied on the ovens of their local baker, which were available on Sundays and Christmas when the bakery was closed.

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Victorian Revival of Christmas - continued Many attribute the change to Queen Victoria; with her husband, the German-born Prince Albert, they popularized some of the most prominent aspects of Christmas. In 1800, Victoria’s grandmother Queen Charlotte, also German-born, had introduced to the royal family the Christmas tree, which then became popular amongst upper society. When the Illustrated London News published a drawing of the royal family celebrating around a decorated Christmas tree in 1848, the tree was adopted by the populas.

Soon homes across Britain had trees bedecked with candles, sweets, fruit, homemade decorations and small gifts.

The Victorians also transformed the idea of Christmas so that it became centred around the family. The preparation and eating of the feast, decorations and gift giving, entertainments and parlour games – all were essential to the celebration of the festival and were to be shared by the whole family.

While Charles Dickens did not invent the Victorian Christmas, his book A Christmas Carol is credited with helping to popularize and spread the traditions of the festival. Its themes of family, charity, goodwill, peace and happiness encapsulate the spirit of the Victorian Christmas and are very much a part of the Christmas we celebrate today.

Adapted from history.com, bbc.co.uk, and historytoday.com

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upcoming The Birds and the Bees

By Mark

Crawford

January 31, 2018 • 11:00

S ex y

SAGEBRUSH THEATRE RomCom un F

GLORY

By Tracey

Power

February 28, 2018 • 11:00am Rous ing Wo d SAGEBRUSH THEATRE Premrl ie re

Children of God

A musical written & directed by

Corey Payette

April 4, 2018 • 11:00am SAGEBRUSH THEATRE

Powerful New Musical

Armstrong’s War

By Colleen

Murphy

April 18, 2018 • 11:00am PAVILION THEATRE

ing Inspirma Dra

A sassy, sexy, modern comedy about beekeeping, turkey farming, and romance. By one of Canada’s funniest and hottest young playwrights, The Birds and the Bees is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud at its hilarious observations on family, being an adult, and finding true love at any age. Perfect for a date night—or for a night at the theatre with your grown children or parents. A playful romantic comedy to heat up our chilly winter nights!

An inspirational new play based on an incredible true story of our national sport. In the 1930s, the Preston Rivulettes women’s hockey team won an astonishing 300 games and several Canadian championships, all while fighting through the Depression, prejudice, and personal upheaval. Featuring electrifying swing-dance choreography, this gripping production captures all the thrills, excitement, and tension of a great hockey game. Go Rivulettes!

A gorgeous, powerful musical about an Oji-Cree family whose children were taken away to residential school. The story of Rita, a mother never let past the school’s gate, and her children, who never knew she came, as they push towards redemption. A thrilling blend of ancient traditions and contemporary realities that celebrates resilience and the power of the Indigenous cultural spirit. Payette’s moving score includes echoes of Broadway masterpieces.

A story of courage, consequences, and compassion. Two very different Armstrongs meet in a rehabilitation centre: Michael, a 21-year-old soldier injured on tour in Afghanistan, and Halley, a spirited young girl paralyzed in a car accident. Haunted by their experiences, the two form an unlikely bond in this hard-hitting, uplifting drama about bravery and survival by the two-time Governor General’s Award winning Colleen Murphy.

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Proud to sponsor the Western Canada Theatre

New Afton welcomes your feedback.

Call us at 250.377.2100 or email us at info@newgold.com Follow us on Twitter @NewAfton www.newgold.com

Western Canada Theatre continues a history of delivering VIBRANT, professional theatre to our community.

The City of Kamloops is a proud sponsor and

wishes the company all the best in its 2017-2018 season.

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WCT STAFF James MacDonald, Artistic Director Lori Marchand, Executive Director

Administration Ron Thompson, Financial Manager Catrina Crowe, Marketing & Comm. Director Suzan Goguen, Growth & Engagement Director Terri Runnalls, Education Coordinator Bryce Herman, Fund Development Consultant Randy Chow, Accounting Assistant Jessica Buchanan, Events & Outreach Asst; GSD Sophia de Zeeuw, Marketing & Research Assistant Production Ross Nichol, Production Manager Bill Chabassol, Production Technical Director Brian St-Amand, Sagebrush Technical Director Paul Cuthbert, Sagebrush Assistant Technical Director Cindy Wiebe, Head of Wardrobe Rory Lynch, Head of Carpentry Angela Frye, Head of Properties Ken Wells, Scenic Painter Joel Feenstra, Production Assistant Liam Befurt, Technician Laurie Harder, Carpenter Kathy Schwab, Second Painter Sean Malmas, Wig Stylist Charlotte Wagner, Wardrobe Susan Dixon, Wardrobe

Finlay Nichol, Wardrobe Special Effects Mya Bormke, Props Wardrobe Assistants: Jennie Wiebe, Pat Owens, Jean Howes, Jean Riben, Maddison Hartloff

Front of House Kristi Williams, Client & Facilities Services Manager Jean Choi, Volunteer Coordinator Guest Services Directors (GSD): Carlin Bolt, Allison Clow, Krystine Lucas, Celine Majcher, Christina Poirier, Carling Ryan Kamloops Live! Box Office Geraldine Penny, Box Office Manager Michelle Chabassol, Box Office Staff Judy Day, Box Office Staff Linda McLean, Box Office Staff

WCT board David Ross † Tom Kerr ‡ Judge T.W. Shupe § D. Michael Dobbin * Peggy Gilmour * Mike Latta * Anne Manson * Maureen Marshall * Lanni Shupe *

Tim Rodgers - President Grant Chu - Past President Gordon Miller - Vice President Francis Barnett * Richard Block Lori Bregoliss Marilyn Crossen Beverley DeSantis Wesley Eccleston Sharon Frissell † ‡

Honorary Life Artistic Producer Founding Artistic Director

Honorary Life Chairman * Honorary Life Member

§

SPECIAL THANKS Douglas College Stagecraft and Event Technology Department • Kamloops Florist • Joel Eccleston, Kamloops Symphony Orchestra • Philip G. Heal, Westsyde Secondary School Hilltop Barber Shop • Actors Workshop Theatre, Thompson Rivers University • All our Volunteers!

With a Very Special Thanks to Heather Cant, who was our Associate Artistic Director until October. After six years in which she dedicated her energy, artistic vision, positive spirit, and organizational wizardy to WCT, Heather is off to new adventures in theatre and more. While we miss her, we’re already looking forward to having her back in January with Birds and the Bees as Associate Director and in April to direct Armstong’s War. All the very best to you, Heather!

Where the

w ww.p

di o . ne t

mloops

ur Street Ka

711 Seymo Tel:

A FAIR TRADE STORE

de

Music is Ma

r d in gs tu e rr ys re co 250-828-8

729

us.net

dperry7@tel

Local Homemade Frozen Meals-to-Go

• Shepherd’s Pie • Butter Chicken • Meatballs • Lasagna • Cabbage Rolls

• Soups, Salads, Sandwiches • Specialty Coffee & Tea • Local, Organic, Specialty Groceries • Grass-fed Beef & Exotic Meats

Fair Trade • Pottery • Candles

HOURS: 7:30am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri • 7:30am-5:00pm, Sat• Closed Sun

225 7th Avenue • 250-377-0055 • thesmorgasborddeli@gmail.com • lookkamloops.ca/the_smorgasbord.htm 27

SINCE THEN REBECCA BELMORE DANA CLAXTON LEAH DECTER + CHERYL L’HIRONDELLE DEMIAN DINÉYAZHI’ MARK EMERAK CLIFF EYLAND HELGA JAKOBSON GARRY NEILL KENNEDY JANET KIGUSIUQ KENT MONKMAN

PETER MORIN LISA MYERS JUDE NORRIS RÚRÍ JUSTIN SORENSEN DEREK SULLIVAN IONE THORKELSSON RACHAEL THORLEIFSON CHIH-CHIEN WANG CHRISTOPHER WOOL + FÉLIX GONZÁLEZ-TORRES

A curatorial investigation by Kegan McFadden, exploring histories of survival, endurance, cross-cultural exchange and legacy.

September 23 to December 30, 2017 Generously sponsored by Funk Signs Inc. Free admission every Thursday sponsored by BCLC 465 Victoria St • 250-377-2400 • kag.bc.ca

Locally Owned & Operated

Proudly Supporting

Western Canada Theatre homehardware.ca

Rick Kurzac Home Store Owner Kamloops, British Columbia

1325 Josep Way Kamloops BC, V2H 1N6

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Phone: 250-377-7234 Fax: 250-377-7256

Home Owners

helping homeowners Hours: Monday - Saturday 7am-6pm Sundays 9am-5pm

BRAVO! Western Canada Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals for their generous financial contributions through sponsorship and/or charitable donations. We are very thankful to everyone who plays an important part in helping us to bring the highest quality of work to the broadest possible audience. (Listings based on annual contributions, July 1, 2016 to October 31, 2017.)

Operating Grants The City of Kamloops Canada Council for the Arts Department of Canadian Heritage Canada Cultural Spaces Fund Government of Canada The Province of BC British Columbia Arts Council Foundation BC Interior Community Foundation The Hamber Foundation Presenting Partner Kelson Group, Ron & Rae Fawcett Season Sponsors CFJC TV Home Hardware Kamloops This Week New Gold Stone Hazell & Company Wayside Show Sponsors 98.3 CIFM Alastair Murdoch Accounting Group Ltd. B-100 British Columbia Lottery Corporation CFBX 92.5 FM Country 103.1 Schoening & First Memorial Funeral Services ideaLEVER Kamloops Airport Overland Press Radio NL Ramada Kamloops Hotel The River 97.5 The Riverland Inn & Suites Simply Computing TNRD Watson Engineering Ltd. Pre-Show Salon Sponsors Celista Winery Terra Restaurant Mainstage PWYC MatinĂŠe Sponsor BEST WESTERN PLUS Kamloops Hotel Spotlight Sponsors Canadian Mortgage Experts Canadian Tire Edward Jones - Brant Hasanen Kamloops Insurance Services KPMG Westland Insurance

Diamond Companions ($10,000 and above) Michael E. Black & the late Denise Fortier Platinum Patrons ($5,000-9,999) Rae Nixon Gold Patrons ($3,500-4,999) Put your name here!

Silver Patrons ($2,000-3,499) Peter Baron Roland & Anne Neave Copper Patrons ($750-1,999) Anonymous Edith Pletzer Russ & Jane Reid Bud & Daphne Smith David & Rosemarie Stoltze Tony Erlank James & Barb Wentworth Patrons ($500-$749) Ben & Lorene Anders Grant & Nancy Chu Sheila Collier Lois Crown Tom & Paulette Eccleston Glen & Sara Farrow Jessie & James Fedorak Jaylene Hanna Mirella Holden Michael & Debbie Kowbel June McClure Thomas & Sharon Moore Shirley & Kelly Rowland Murphy & Katharine Shewchuk Investors ($200-$499) Francis & Helen Barnett Dr. Anise Barton and Dr. Tom Wallace Dr. James and Anne Baughan R.C. Bidnell Ed & Patti Bruzzese Jean Burris Ann Byard John Corbishley Ian Dalgleish & Melisa Hunter David & Laura Farrow Lois Hollstedt Bob & Jo-Mary Hunter Cora Jones Joseph & Joyce Kalfics Gwyneth Lamperson Fred & Nancy Leake Ray LePage Sandy & Ellen McCurrach James MacDonald Terry & Joan McQuillan Donna Marchand Nathan & Marie Matthew Tanya Mihura

Vic & Sally Mowbray Jim & Beverley Mundle Richard Olthuis Colene Palmer Guy & Jeanine Parker Dennis & Sue Reedman Sulwen (Cookie) Reimer Peter Ryan Ray & Susan Sewell Colleen Stainton Shirley Sze Val Takahashi Trisha Watkinson Dave & Maryanne Whiting Lois & David Williams Benefactors ($100-$199) Anonymous Dianne Almond Barbara & Agnus Balle Beta Sigma Phi Walter & Odell Black Jack & Pauline Braaksma Mavis Chalmers Kathy & Randall Chan Ken & Brenda Christian Frank & Anne Churchley Bill & Evey Chursky Sally Cornies & Hap Ryan Brent & Eija Cryderman Joan Cummings Donald Dalgleish (In memory of Melanie McIntosh) Kathryn Dalgleish Roxanne Dauncey Pat Decker Rhonda Diaper Ross & Judy Dickson John Dittrich & Sharon Carrell Larry & Edie Dixon Dan & Denise Douglas Vivian Edwards Robert & Patricia Esdale Shirlee Ezowski Reno & Marie Fabbro Ronald Fairhurst Ruth & Michael Fane Faye Fike Marvyn Fitzpatrick Grayden & Sangita Flanagan Gillian Gaiser Louella Garner Adah Gruver Barb Hannah Homer & Ivana Hamm Susan Hammond Marianne Hardy Helena Hasler Rosemary Hibbard Dave & Dorothy Hilton Ken & Marylyne House

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BRAVO! continued Matthew Howes Rob & Lila Jennejohn Darrel Jones Sharon Kika Bob & Pat King Maryann Kowalsky Kirsten McDougall Doris McNutt Heather K. Murdoch Wendy Nielsen Maria Paccagnella Carl Pentilchuk Robert & Lorraine Pick Sandra Pryce Tracy Quewezance Terry Rogers Family Lynn Rutherford Susie Safford Rosemary Saint-Michaels Beverley Schroeder Tricia L. Sellmer Craig & Sharlene Sharpe Terry Shupe Barbara Smith Don & Sandy Staff Peggy Swanson Florence Thomson Lynne Totten Judith Treherne Bob & Jennifer Trudeau Gwen Watson Shirley Wiklund

Friends ($10-$99) Anonymous Lynn Albertson Karen Albiston Denise Lynn Anderson Ashlin Armstrong Jeanne Berdan Barry & Judy Brown Margaret Brown Shirley Buchanan Patrick Callahan Michael & Gerrianne Clare Marilyn Crossen John & Jean Crowe Donna Demarni John Dittrich Anne Dunn Elizabeth Dye Dave & Irene Edamura Blake & Linda Fox Jeanne Gagne Yanni Giftakis Peter & Judy Gray Sydney Griffith Cathy Hall-Patch Lance & Sue Jang Bill & Sally Jennejohn Bob & Robbie McLaren Dean & Wendy McLean Beverley Martin Heather Murdoch Stan & Louise Oakes

Wilma Pagan Mavis Paravantes Pauline Pollock Valentina Putoto Jay Rilkoff Bea Smith Rev. Dawne Taylor Nicole Tougas Edward Walsh Diane Webb Carman & Diane White In Memoriam of Sheila Collier Dianne Almond Francis & Helen Barnett Olga & Donald Baron Peter Baron Anita Barton Rita Belks Patricia Chamberlain Dr. Todd Collier Ronald & Doreen Fairhurst Majid Faridi C. Gonnet Ken & Marylyne House Dwight Koss Kathleen Otterstrom Sagewood Community Terry Simpson Wes & Phyliss Stephens L.D. Taylor

Dickensian Trivia A Christmas Carol was first published in 1843. Initially six thousand copies of the book were printed. More copies were ordered after the first printing sold out in only five days.

T R U AC TO R S W O R K S H O P T H E AT R E 2 0 17 / 1 8 S E A S O N

2 ONE-ACT PLAYS

LONE STAR

LAUNDRY and BOURBON

by James McLure | Nov 23-25 Nov 30-Dec 2 TRU, Old Main, Student Street | Curtain Nightly @ 7:30pm Tickets $14 available @ Kamloops Live! Box Office or Reservation @ 250.377.6100 For more information: tru.ca/arts/vpa/theatre | actorsworkshoptheatre.ca

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MC122713

Directed by Robin Nichol

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