Lots going on in the new year in the world of theatre

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By Ian Doig

EMC Entertainment - Well, let me start off by wishing everyone in our local area theatre scene, be they performers, directors, backstage or front-of-house people and especially those wonderful stalwarts who make the entire merry-go-round work so well in the first place - our theatre-going patrons and supporters - a wonderful and exciting 2012! Judging from what we've seen so far I think the "exciting" part of that wish is pretty well guaranteed, and I think the "wonderful" bit probably is too!

Let me say to start with that this article sounds a bit as though it was commissioned by the theatre community in Perth! Not so, believe me - I bend over backwards to give fair and balanced coverage to all the stages and troupes in our entire area - but I can only publish what I have been told about! And it must be admitted that a lot of the theatre we do in the area does take place in Perth - and one very good reason for this is that with four dedicated stages in town - none of which have any sources of income aside from paying customers - the pressure to get those rents or mortgages paid every month never goes away! So believe me, I am not playing favourites, and nor will I, ever!

Studio Theatre, Perth, An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley and Directed by David Parry

A family celebration, a mysterious inspector, a young woman's untimely death, there's more to this mystery than just "whodunit January 26, 27, 28, February 3, 4 at 8 p.m. and January 29, February 5 at 2 p.m.

The Brothers Grimm (2women Productions) Exactly 200 years since the Grimm brothers published their first folk tale collection raconteur Dale Jarvis, accompanied by folk musician Delf Maria Hohmann weave the events of the brothers' lives around their stories! Note that this, which sounds like a really fun evening, is for one night only, at 7:30 p.m., February 11, at the Full Circle Theatre.

On the audition front, first up is the Studio's already-heralded production of Steel Magnolias, scheduled for opening on March 22. Auditions for this all-female cast are called for the Studio at 7 p.m. on January 9th and 11th. (I have myself already offered to do a role in drag and been turned down flat!)

BarnDoor Productions will be holding auditions in January for their two summer shows. This summer's offering is a double helping of two of the greatest classic comedies of all time: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, slated for production at the beginning of August, and Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid, in a new adaptation, which will run in July. The auditions for both will be held on Wednesday, January 18 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Full Circle Theatre, 26 Craig St (Highway 43) Perth. There are wonderful roles in each for male and female and lots of them, so BarnDoor hopes for a good deal of interest in two of the greatest shows of all time. For further information please call 613-267-1884, or visit the Barn Door website.

Now here's a 'heads-up" for fans of our area's own professional company's 2012 programme, The Classic Theatre Festival presents Two for the Seesaw by William Gibson (author of The Miracle Worker, the story of Helen Keller) is a quirky romantic comedy of two lost souls finding each other in late 1950s New York City. Bristling with snappy dialogue, with a perfect combination of humour and pathos, it won the Tony Award for Best Play. Originally starring Henry Fonda and Anne Bancroft, this heartfelt play keeps audiences rooting for the characters right until the final curtain. Previews are scheduled for July 13 at 8 p.m., July 14 at 2 p.m., with Opening Night on July 14 at 8 p.m.

Their second production is the classic Mary, Mary by Jean Kerr (who also penned the beloved bestselling satire on suburban life, Please Don't Eat the Daisies). This is the eighth-longest running play in Broadway history, with witty dialogue that sparkles and characters you'd gladly invite over for dinner, this is a tale of a hasty divorce and second chances that is reminiscent of the best of the era's screwball comedies! Find out why audiences laughed their way through almost four straight years of Mary, Mary on Broadway. Previews are called for August 10 at 8 p.m., August 11 at 2 p.m., with Opening night on August 11 at 8 p.m. For both presentations performance times are Wed. to Sat. at 8 p.m., with Wed., Sat. And Sun. Matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are available from Jo's Clothes.

Film Night International... Full Circle Theatre, the home of Perth's Barn Door Productions, is building up their schedule of third party events for the winter/spring and, beginning on January 25, Film Night International will be presenting their series every other Wednesday at the barrier-free, ground-level facility. That's just the beginning of some great events at the Full Circle.

Go to www.barndoorproductions.ca for info, videos, photos, schedules and more or call 613 267 1884 about further auditions for further upcoming shows.