Presenting Post-Depression radio shows is a little out the norm for the (BIV) thespians.
But these Shakespearean actors did so 鈥渁 great job鈥� presenting a 1940s radio play at a Township dinner theatre event last Halloween, the troupe has since been invited back to do it all over again.
Last year, BIV presented a vintage Hitchcock play by Joe Landry, The 39 Steps, explained president and actor Diane Gendron.
鈥淚t went over well,鈥� so well in fact that BIV was asked back, Gendron said.
鈥淧eople who attended last year鈥檚 performance remarked that when they closed their eyes it took them right back to when they were young and they gathered around the radio with their families in the evening listening to a play.鈥�
So, the next suspense-filled play, being served up with a buffet dinner at 91原创 Events Centre, happens on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
鈥淭he two plays will take people back to an era when families sat in their living rooms in front of their radios listening to tales being masterfully and magically sent to them over the air waves,鈥� said Gendron, who is directing both productions.
BIV is presenting an episode of The Whistler: The Necklace Was Incidental, which first aired in 1948, as well as an episode of The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Dead Duck Caper, first produced in 1947.
鈥淭his year we鈥檝e chosen two plays from series that were popular on the radio in the 鈥�40s: Sam Spade and The Whistler. Sam Spade is a very cool character and The Whistler tells a story of mystery and murder,鈥� she said.
Theatre-lovers will recognize the actors in this fun production from their many performances on 91原创 stages: Ken Boyd, Raymond Hatton, Colin Rankin, Shannon Lee, Ahnika Barber, Shawn McGrory, Jim Garnett, and 鈥� of course 鈥� Gendron.
But putting on these productions is much more about coordinating music and sound effects, then the acting itself 鈥� which is usually the focus during months of rehearsing for BIV productions, Gendron said.
Rehearsals in her home in recent weeks have concentrated as much on the traditional behind the scenes work, as the acting on stage, she explained.
鈥淥ne of the exciting things about our productions is that the sound effects are being made live onstage. Audiences get to watch as the foley artists (the people who created the sound effects for radio) create gun shots, fog horns, and dead bodies hitting the ground,鈥� she said.
Using only a few set pieces and props on the stage to help take the audience into a working 1940s radio station, the rest relies on the actors, costume maker Betty McGregory, and foley artists Shawn McGrory, Jim Garnett, and Lauren Trotzuk (on keyboard).
鈥淭hey all are important characters in the play,鈥� Gendron said. 鈥淭hey are not just in the background.鈥�
Tickets for the one-night-only dinner theatre are $42.50 each and now available .
For young aspiring thespians
In the meantime, Bard in the Valley is also preaparing for its upcoming youth theatre workshops.
Young aspiring actors, aged 11 to 15 years of age, can register for what Gendron calls an exciting 10-day theatre workshop this fall.
Bard in the Valley and the City of 91原创 are partnering again to create an opportunity for young, aspiring thespians.
The workshops will be held on 10 consecutive Tuesday afternoons, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning on Oct. 10 and ending with a performance on Dec.12.
A maximum of 14 young people will be introduced to improv theatre techniques and games, plot development, scriptwriting, costume designing, makeup application, set design, set construction and set decorating, stage managing, production team building and back stage cooperation, Gendron said.
The workshops will be held in the theatre at H.D. Stafford Middle School, where the young actors will have 鈥渢he thrill鈥� of presenting a show on a stage for their friends and family on the final day.
The goal for the BIV youth theatre program is to foster in young people a sense of discipline, confidence, critical thinking, and pride in accomplishments, so they can become positive contributors to the community, Gendron said.
The $50 workshops are being led by Shane Rochon, who will also write the production the children will perform at the final workshop.
Rochon is a graduate of Dawson College鈥檚 professional theatre program in Montreal. He acts professionally, as well as with local community groups. He is currently directing the fall production at the 91原创 Playhouse 鈥� Memory of Water.
鈥淲hat inspires me when working with children is the self-discovery aspect and watching them grow in their self-confidence,鈥� Rochon said.
For more information and to register, please contact Bard in the Valley at info@bardinthevalley.com.
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