June Ainsworth learned just how critical timing can be to in recreating a 1940s radio play, when it comes to syncing sound effects to the directions she was giving actors on stage.
She’s the director of the upcoming murder mystery dinner theatre production of The 39 Steps: A Live Radio Play. Her computer was lagging behind during a rehearsal one night. She found herself giving actors some funny mis-directions.
“So we got the door open sound for the drawer opening twice. Then the drawer opening when an actor was supposed to come through the door,” she recounted.
“My direction would be… If you hear a drawer opening – climb out of it,” Ainsworth chuckled, hoping these little missteps don’t occur again when the Bard in the Valley (BIV) team go live – one night only – on Oct. 17.
Needless to say, Ainsworth hopes the little bugaboos have been worked out of the system, and that they won’t be a factor when BIV brings a murder mystery to the Langley Events Centre mid-month.
BIV is well known for its free Shakespeare productions in Douglas Park and Fort Langley through the past seven years, Ainsworth explained. Now, seeing the team make a sidestep into an Alfred Hitchcock production, rewritten for the stage by Joe Landry, is what she calls a fun and rewarding challenge.
“This vintage Hitchcock radio play is another expression of our talent,” she said.
The show runs one night only – Monday, Oct. 17, in partnership with the Township of Langley.
It’s being presented as a murder mystery dinner theatre, and admittedly it is the first time that Ainsworth has directed a dinner theatre.
She is a Walnut Grove resident and long-time theatre groupie who has tried out her hand on and off the stage – and admittedly, she claims to be much more comfortable when she’s not in the spotlight.
But, for the first time in four years (the last time was in the cast of White Rock’s production of Ten Little Indians), she’s stepping out onto the stage in The 39 Steps, playing the producer of the radio show, at the same time she’s juggling duties as the director and sound designer (along with her daughter, Jacq, and fellow actor Shawn McGrory).
“There are eight cast members, four of them are also crew… We do it all,” she said, acknowledging the “incredible” contributions” of Jacq, McGrory, Ken Boyd, Brad Williams, Peter Walton, Janet Ingram-Johnson, and BIV president Diane Gendron.
The entire team has been rehearsing two to three days a week for the past month to prepare for the single show.
And while Ainsworth is the one that found the script and assigned the actors, she’s particularly excited to have one cast of those member on her team.
A family affair
She’s pointing to her daughter, Jacq Ainsworth, who as worked along side her in several BIV and Langley Player productions through the years.
“This show is very special for me, as my daughter will be joining me on stage,” said Mom.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jacq got her start helping her mom backstage at the age of 10.
“It’s great to see her having fun doing the thing that I love most,” gushed a rather proud momma.
She quickly added that her grandson, Jacqu’s son, is also a thespian – but he’s not involved in this production.
Prefers working backstage
Ainsworth and her family migrated to Canada from England in 1974.
“I fell in love with theatre in Fort St. John, when I joined the local theatrical group, Stage North.”
She learned from attending workshops, working on shows, and watching many talented people, Ainsworth said, noting she was 30 when she took on a lead role in The King and I.
“After 15 years I felt the need to direct my own show. I wrote and directed a pantomime. From then on, I found my passion was directing and designing.”
After moving to Langley 12 years ago, she has worked with groups on both sides of the Fraser River, “getting to know even more talented people.”
One of those talented individuals was the late Alan Thain, a Langley thespian whom she met in 2009.
Thain had a dream to bring free Shakespeare productions to those who might not usually see them. And along with Gendron, the other founding member of Bard in the Valley, a new society was born.
“I have been privileged to design and direct for Bard in the Valley, producing annually, free shows in the park,” Ainsworth said.
Now, in what she calls a new era, just ahead of Halloween, she’s directing a thriller for a dinner theatre.
Tickets include appies, dinner, prizes
“As a founding board member of BIV, I have a great interest in making our work accessible to the community,” Ainsworth said.
She noted that the Township has been a “big” sponsor and support of BIV – the thespians who brought Taming to the Shrew to local stages this past summer.
So, when it approached BIV with the idea of a dinner theatre for about 100, they quickly agreed they “wanted to make it work.”
The evening event runs 6 to 10 p.m., and tickets are $49.50 each. There is a cash bar and dinner includes appies, a buffet dinner, dessert, and a chance to watch the murder mystery unfold right before their eyes.
“Correctly solve the mystery, and be eligible for the grand prize,” said event organizers.
People can call 604-455-8821 for information and to purchase tickets.
