麻豆传媒AV

Battlefords Community Players just returned from TheatreFest 180 in Swift Current, having swept the four top awards at the 2014 festival.

The festival, presented by Theatre Saskatchewan Inc. and hosted by Swift Current Little Theatre, attracted several hundred people, six community theatre groups and ended Saturday, April 26 with the presentation of awards.

At the 80th long play festival, the longest running festival of its kind in Canada, BCP returned home with tremendous recognition for their production Sexy Laundry by Michele Riml.

Jim Walls was named best actor, Lynda Lyon Walls was the winner of the best actress trophy and Donna Challis received the nod as best director.

The production also received the McIntosh Cup for best overall production for the week by adjudicator Gail Whiteford of Calgary. Whiteford said she was impressed with the production, the trust, the teamwork and the set and ended her adjudication of the play by saying, "My goodness! That was good."

The company for Sexy Laundry included: Doreen Wells, set decoration; Bill Wells, set construction; Liz Smith, stage manager; Kathy Beach, assistant stage manager; Geordie Smith, light design and operator; Bryan Beach, sound operator; and John Dyck, sound design.

"Thanks to the many other volunteers who helped with the set, the loan of props and set pieces and to our great patrons," said Challis.

"The club also had three apprentices attend the week's activities, which provided them a great learning experience and has given them the opportunity to see what kind of theatre is being done in our province," said Challis. "This year Kate Maggrah, Norma Klassen and Barry Ursaki enjoyed this opportunity and have returned to share their new-found knowledge with other members of the BCP."

The festival may be over, but the theatre continues with the players putting on an in-house production of The Actor's Nightmare by Christopher Durang this weekend at the BCP studio at 102 - 26th St., Battleford. The one-act comedy is directed by Joanne Hopkin

The event is licensed, with tickets set at $10 each or two for $15, available from Creative Interiors in Battleford or at the door. Space is limited. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. on each of three evenings, May 1, 2 and 3.