The beam that lines the ceiling of the old cabin creaks and bends –– just like a tamarack tree does when the wind hits it.
In the play Tamarack, which Asparagus Community Theatre in Armstrong is presenting as its Okanagan Zone (O-Zone) Drama Festival entry, the cross-length of wood acts as a metaphor for a relationship that is reaching its breaking point.
“The set piece plays a third character in the play,” explains Tamarack director Bea Kirkwood-Hackett, who is also presenting the play to the public at Armstrong’s Centennial Hall, starting Friday.
The drama/comedy tells the story of Henry and Annie (played by Asparagus’ stalwarts George Young and Bev Peacock), who live in a remote cabin in the woods. During one especially long winter they experience what could be best described as the opposite of cabin fever when the power shuts off and the poplar won’t burn in the wood stove.
“They left the hustle and bustle of the city years before to live in the woods,” said Kirkwood-Hackett. “He wants to be a poet and tries to get peace and quiet, while Annie is just trying to survive. She plucks the chickens and milks the bovine bitch.”
Annie reaches her chilling point when the power won’t turn back on, so she threatens to leave Henry to his poetry and move into her own apartment in the nearby town.
But before the branch falls from the tree completely, Henry has to decide what is most important, his solid, stable tamarack that holds the roof over his head, or his escapism into words.
Bringing the guy back to earth, sort of, is reliable Norman, the next door neighbour who shovels the snow and drops by with stories.
“He’s the comedic relief,” says Kirkwood-Hackett, whose husband, Paul, normally the director, is this time acting.
“Wayne Ashton was originally going to play Norman, but he had to step back. I thought I had to set up new auditions and Paul said ‘I think I can do the show. I’ll be Norman.’ He’s added an Irish burr to the role. He’s from Nova Scotia originally, so is learning to pull back his accent a little. It’s an exercise is self restraint,” said Kirkwood-Hackett, who also gives top marks to her leading actors.
“These roles are huge. George, in particular, is on the stage the whole time, while Bev is making her acting debut, but she’s aware of the technical pitfalls.”
The play has a sad backstory, as the playwright who penned it, Edward Kuhn, never got to see it realized on stage, added Kirkwood-Hackett.
“He had entered into the 2009 Theatre B.C. new plays competition and won. However, he died a year ago in October before the play ever went on stage,” she said.
Asparagus is one of two B.C. theatre companies staging the play thus far.
“When we received the rights, I heard that Nanaimo’s Theatre One had already asked if they could premiere it. I contacted their director, and although we have a different audience with no chance of competition, we decided to open ours Friday instead of Wednesday to give Nanaimo the premiere.”
Coming in to mentor the production before the curtain rises is longtime Theatre B.C. member and actor Danielle Dunn-Morris, who will add some polish to the final stages.
Backstage, the technical crew is also busy at work.
Both Kirkwood-Hacketts have been performing double duty, with Bea attending to set design and Paul, lighting, while sound director George Bensmiller has created such effects as wind blowing and wood creaking. Armstrong mayor Chris Pieper has also contributed to the show, donating wood, while technical director Maryke Simmonds is helping set painter Molly March create the tamarack.
“We also have a new producer Heidi Coop Jordan, who is giving everything she’s got,” said Kirkwood-Hackett.
Tamarack takes the stage Friday, April 27 and continues Saturday, April 28 and May 1 to 4 at Centennial Hall in Armstrong. All shows start at 8 p.m. and tickets can be reserved by calling or visiting The Guy Next Door, 250-546-0950, 3450A Okanagan St., Armstrong, or email actokbc@gmail.com
Asparagus also leads off the O-Zone Festival with its presentation of Tamarack May 5. The Armstrong community theatre hosts the O-Zones May 5 to 12, also at the Centennial Hall. More information on the festival is available at www.asparagus.theatrebc.org.
