The Old Mill Players have been entertaining audiences at annual dinner theatre productions in Mayfair for years.
The distance between Mayfair, Sask. and Broadway was shortened when the Old Mill Players opened the 2011 season with the production of The Thickwood Hillbillies, which was locally written and directed by Yvette Heide. Four sold out performances were held over a course of two weekends in February with a meal prepared and served by the Mayfair Recreational Board. The 2011 performances were in memory of longtime Old Mill member Susie Heide.
The cast and crew presented yet another successful production as the audience was kept laughing throughout the family friendly performance. The play was set in the Thickwood Hills northwest of Hafford and activity revolved around the hillbilly family and Ma's production of a 'special' tonic. Emphasizing that she was a genuine certified herbal doctor she was able to evade the grasp of the law as the local police chief, also Ma's daughter, grew closer to catching the bootlegger. The scenes were filled with life-like scenarios and humorous antics while mimicking the humorous side of living as hillbillies.
Albert Heide (Jeb) had the natural talent to act as storyteller and was true to the word when he said "the hillbillies in the Thickwood Hills were a unique culture like no where else in the world!" The remainder of the cast consisted of Norma Sherman as Ma (Alma), Don Heide as Pa (Clem), Sheila Bachelder as granny, Dolores Buckingham as Judge, Becky Bulmer as Pixie, Shirley Combres as Trixie, Bev Thomas As Marsha/police chief, Elaine Woloshyn as Harriette, Lorelee Powers as Agent, Esther Welsh as Kasha, Roman Ewanchuk as Flip, Eddy Thomas as Stinky and Dawg as himself. Musical interlude was provided by The Prairie Spirits: Muriel Kotelko and Kolin Bulmer.
Crew consisted of Gordon Sherman, Jaycee Bulmer and Yvette Heide on lights and sound; Ding Karp was music director; Andrea Jackson was photographer, Cheryl Bulmer was prompter; Eddy Thomas looked after the pre- and post production slide show and Autumn Partington was the sound effect producer.
Through the combined efforts of all involved the production held another successful year. It is a clear indication what hard work, commitment, and team work can accomplish.
Local theatre continues to be a popular fundraising event in many rural towns across the prairies. The Old Mill Players' proceeds from 2010 production went towards purchasing a new projector for the production and new chairs for the hall.
