This spring, the Chemainus Theatre Festival is planting seeds for a bumper crop of “dinner-and-a-show” performances.
Starting Friday, March 21, the witty British play Jeeves in Bloom is unveiled, along with the dramatically-renovated Playbill Dining Room, for a six-week run of full bellies and full-belly laughs.
Once more, The Festival is bringing world-class theatre to Vancouver Island with the romantic comedy called “dry as a well-made martini and equally potent” by the Daily Herald.
Written by Margaret Raether (Jeeves Intervenes), the play features the stereotypically-charming characters of author P.G. Wodehouse, whose stories about the offbeat twosome have inspired several popular British television and stage productions since the 1960s.
The play is set in the seemingly tranquil English countryside, where life turns out to be anything but quiet or peaceful.
When absentminded bachelor Bertie Wooster arrives in town with his nerdy, tongue-tied friend Gussie and unflappable valet Jeeves, a trail of mischief and mayhem soon follow.
Though Bertie has come with good intentions, he is quickly mired in the schemes of a love-struck young woman, enraged cleaver-wielding chef, and sneaky aunt planning the ultimate burglary.
As everything unravels, it’s up to Jeeves to set things right, as usual.
Bringing the archetypal characters to life are: Warren Bain as loopy but loveable Bertie Wooster; Bernard Cuffling as smart and sharp Jeeves; Ian Farthing as grumpy uncle Travers, and temperamental French chef Anatole; Linda Goranson as mischievous aunt Dahlia Travers; Ella Simon as romantic and silly Madeline Basset; and Jesse Martyn as delightfully nerdy, newt-loving friend Agustus Fink-Nottle.
Before the laughs blossom on stage, the full Chemainus Theatre Festival experience starts in the extensively-renovated Playbill Dining Room.
The dining room recently underwent the most significant update in more than a decade, and the changes are meant to make the theatre experience “more tasteful than ever,” says managing director Randal Huber.
“Our pre-show meal has always pleased our lunch and dinner guests, but good food just wasn’t enough,” he said. “Now the artistry of a visit to the Theatre begins immediately and is a greater escape from the daily grind.”
Creativity now flavours the cuisine and the surroundings at the Playbill.
A menu of features and favourite dishes is refreshed every few months to match the current season and show.
Sitting down to the popular buffet, patrons can expect to find the dining room an equally grand and intimate feeling place to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. The restyling includes an opened layout, lowered ceiling, re-configured serving stations, new furnishings, bar and fireplace, and elegant new decor.
The complete dinner-and-a-show package can be enjoyed during evening and matinee performances from March 21 to April 26 at the Chemainus Theatre Festival.
Tickets and “theatre getaway” reservations can be made online or by calling The Chemainus Theatre Festival box office at 1-800-565-7738.
During its run, Jeeves in Bloom features “Talk-back Wednesday” performances where the backstage story and production secrets of this popular play are discussed with the audience.
— Submitted
