THE BATTLEFORDS — After another successful season including four shows and only a few interruptions and changes because of COVID we are pleased to announce that the continuation of our 70th year of providing live theatre to the Battlefords includes two comedies, one light drama and a farce.
The season starts with Educating Rita by Willy Russell, which had been scheduled for this May and June but changes to the cast meant moving the show to the fall.
This show is being presented Oct. 18 through Oct. 29 – with two show-only and six dinner theatre performances.
Second up is the madcap Christmas show Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol by David McGillivrary and Walter Zerline Jr. This show runs from Nov. 29 through to Dec. 10 and it, too, offers two show-only and six dinner theatre performances.
In 2023 our season will continue with Strawberries in January by Evelyne de la Cheneliere, a light drama by this Canadian playwright. The show will run from March 14 to March 25 and offers the same two show-only and six dinner theatre performances.
The season ends with a farce called Clever Dick by Charles Marowitz and runs from May 23 to June 3 and will bring a wild finish to our season with this tongue-in-cheek spoof.
In all cases, permission to perform must be obtained and we expect that there will be no need for any changes in the announced season.
Other activities for the club in the coming months are an open audition casting call to be held June 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and again on June 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. We encourage anyone interested in being part of shows in the upcoming season to attend one of this dates. We want to create a database of talent for the upcoming season and beyond and we encourage anyone interested in being part of shows to attend one of these dates.
The audition exercises will be conducted by veteran actor, director, playwright and teacher Roy J. Challis. This is open to everyone old and new and we hope to see a diverse showcase of talent at our building at 102-26th Street, Battleford.
Battlefords Community Players are planning a big fundraising garage sale on June 17 and 18 at the clubhouse and are accepting donations from anyone with something to add to the sale. Give us a call if you have something to donate or if you would like to help – 446-3133 or 441-3630. Many hands make light work and we are looking to have a fun time as well as raise some money for club operations and the purchase of new theatre lights.
Summer Theatre at the clubhouse will once again be held the week of Aug. 8 to 13, so stay tuned for more information on casting, the names of the plays and times. This will again be a donation only event and will take part both outdoors and indoors depending on the weather. A little Shakespeare for all.
I cannot end the year without a major shout out to all our patrons, sponsors, members and volunteers who have worked so hard to keep the club going over a very tough period couple of years. We have struggled like so many other groups and businesses with reduced or no audiences, with expenses at full and revenue at half and wondered if we would get through to the other end.
We look forward to opening our doors in the fall to an increase in patrons and a wonderful season of live theatre. See you at the theatre.
