May is often described as the merry month, but this year May will be even merrier than usual.
From May 14 to 21, Courtenay Little Theatre is hosting the 2017 Theatre BC North Island Zone Festival.
This exciting event will offer seven plays in seven days from seven different companies, all at the Sid Williams Theatre. A feast of theatrical talent with the bonus of expert commentary.
In recognition of Canada’s sesquicentennial, every play will be by a Canadian writer, giving a week of fine stories from where we live. Located in a range of settings, the plays move across the country starting in the iconic Prince Edward Island.
Time periods are set from early-20th century to contemporary days, cast size varies from three to 30, and no two plays share the same theme. Such variety packed into a single week will provide a challenge for adjudicator Andrew McIlroy.
The host theatre company traditionally performs first, so Courtenay Little Theatre kicks off the week on May 14 with their production of The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey.
This play tells of the arrival of a young actor at an Ontario farm disrupting the lives of two bachelor farmers. Directed by Catherine Hannon, the production recently had a successful run in the Comox Valley.
Monday, May 15 brings the much enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, now a Canadian classic. Written by Wendy Karpuik, the story of Anne, Marilla and Matthew will be presented by the enthusiastic Portal Players Stages Youth Theatre Program, based in Port Alberni.
On Tuesday, May 16 there is a comedy from Campbell River with River City Players’ production of Jenny’s House of Joy by Norm Foster. Foster is one of Canada’s most entertaining writers, so the world’s oldest profession is guaranteed to provide much laughter.
Wednesday, May 17 has a distinct change in tone when Nanaimo Theatre Group performs Toronto Mississippi by Joan MacLeod. Jhanna is 18 years old, funny, exasperating and mentally challenged. When her absentee father turns up, her life is turned upside down.
Thursday, May 18 offers a performance by the highly regarded local company TheatreWorks. Written and directed by Kymme Patrick, Asylum addresses the malpractice experienced by women in a Manitoba provincial institution. Working with real and fictional characters, the play faces many difficult truths.
For Friday, May 19, a theatre group from Quadra Island, The Collective, will present Waiting for Something to Happen by Chris Thompson. A young woman wakens to find her muse in her bedroom. She is not happy to have him around, but then, he is not happy to be there.
Saturday, May 20 closes the festival with Echo Players of Qualicum Beach performing Marion Bridge by Daniel McIvor. This Cape Breton festival town is beside the eponymous bridge over the Mira River.
Three sisters return to be with their dying mother and, with some pain, recall happier times, gradually building bridges between each other.
Such variety provides a challenge for adjudicator McIlroy. After each performance he will talk to the audience, providing a brief perspective on the evening’s entry.
However, the adjudicator’s opinion is not necessarily shared by audience members.
People have been heard leaving the theatre with comments such as, “Didn’t he even notice that actor?” or “I think she is biased against comedy!” or “How could he possibly think that?” And lively discussion can continue in the foyer.
There can be even more controversy the following morning. For two hours the cast and crew, plus any member of Theatre BC, meet with the adjudicator for what is nicknamed the Coffee Critique.
There is coffee and there is certainly critique.
Each company is anxious to hear the adjudicator’s more private comments.
These are generally given with a gentle touch indicating where the production could have been stronger, and what directors and actors may want to change. But there are always positive notes as well, which is both a reward and a relief for all concerned.
In addition to discussing the previous evening’s performance, a scene from the play is often re-worked by the adjudicator.
This is an opportunity for teaching the group how certain moments could be highlighted, or an entrance strengthened, or a performance enlarged.
It is a fine learning opportunity for members of local theatre companies to learn from professional experts.
When McIlroy agreed to come to the Comox Valley and share his experience with festival participants, members of the Courtenay Little Theatre NIZ organizing committee were delighted.
McIlroy is a faculty member with the Canadian College of Performing Arts, and a much-in-demand instructor for the Union of BC Performers and the Vancouver Film School.
A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, he is a successful actor and director for both stage and screen, and has taught at universities in Canada and the U.S.
Participants in this year’s NIZ Festival are fortunate to have the support of such a skilled and articulate adjudicator. Both audience members and performers will benefit from McIlroy’s perspective.
Actors are especially fortunate as he has also agreed to offer an afternoon’s theatre workshop, bringing an excellent opportunity to improve performance skills.
As the festival closes, adjudicator McIlroy will award what can be called “mini-Oscars.”
Considering each play, he will nominate both honourable mention and winner in categories such as Best Actor – Male, Best Supporting Actor – Female, Best Sound, and, of course, Best Production. It is this nominated play that will represent the North Island Zone at the Theatre BC provincial festival.
The annual event brims with entries from zones across B.C. This year it will be held in Vernon, from June 30 to July 8.
Tickets for the Theatre BC North Island Zone Festival can be obtained from the Sid Williams Theatre, sidwilliamstheatre.com, 250-338-2430, or at the theatre box office.
Excluding fees, single tickets are $18, with a three-day pass for $48. The best value is a full festival pass for $98, only $14 per production. This is excellent value for theatre of such quality.
As a true festival, there is ‘festival seating’, which means every seat is available on entry to the theatre. All plays begin at 7:30 p.m.
