What is your role in. this production? What does that entail? If you are in the cast, describe your character. I have two roles. I am the Demon and I am Hwel, the playwright. Both of these roles require significant make-up and costuming. The Demon rears his head in a single scene to provide the witches with information about the state of kingdom . Hwel is a dwarf who did not cut it working in the mines and physically demanding dwarf culture. His imagination and creativitiy drew him to becoming the most gifted playwright in Discworld. It is not uncommon for him to be engaged in a conversation only to drift away as an idea pops into his head about a possible new play.What brought you to this production? Why did you audition/join the production team? I had read this script a couple of years ago and loved the quick Monty Pyton-like banter and humour. Having not been in a comedic production for a few years now, I thought it would be fun to audition for a role. Also, having worked with a number of the members of the production team on other shows, specifically the director, Nelson Niwa, and stage manager, May Kharaghani, in Mail Order Bride at Walterdale, I knew we would be in good hands.
What is your background in Theatre? With Walterdale? I got my start in theatre at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) in Yellowknife NWT in about 1983. I was a techie and got to try my hand in special effects, follow spot, lighting operator, sound operator, and assistant stage managing. I was out of theatre for 10 years during my time in the military. When I left the Canadian Forces I returned to Yellowknife and was coaxed into a role as one of the Murderers in MacBeth. I had always been behind the scenes, and I was not sure how I would fair on stage. Once I did it I was hooked. I was on the board of directors for Lunch Pail Theatre for about 8 years in Yellowknife and was involved in a number of great productions as an actor, production manager, sound designer, assistant stage manager and assistant director. When I moved to Edmonton in 2008 one of the first things I did was to audition for a role and was cast in Black Hearts in the Green Room at Walterdale Playhouse. Since then I have had an opportunity to be involved in a number of Walterdale productions as an actor and as a sound designer. I love Walterdale. People are what drive theatre, and the people involved on the board of directors for Walterdale Playhouse as well as the people who volunteer their time will drive this organization well into the future. I am honoured to be a part of community theatre at Walterdale Playhouse.
What is the most challenging thing about being involved in this production? I did not have any real challenges with this production. This, I think, is a testament to the production team who did a fantastic job of scheduling rehearsals for this rather large cast so that it worked for all the actors. If I had to pick something, I would have to say it was making myself shorter. I am, after all, a dwarf.
What is the most enjoyable thing about being invovled in this production? This is one of those scripts that although it is funny to read, it is funnier to see it performed. Many of the actors have taken their characters to a place where I had not expected them to go. Their character development has been amazing to watch. We recently had a full walk-thru-stumble-thru of the first act. It was the first time I had a chance to see how everyone gels as a cast of characters. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times at parts that I had not found particularly funny while just reading the script. The cast has really brought the words on paper to life.
What do you think audiences will experience if they come to this show? In a word… Fun. This is a light-hearted comedy that references a number of Shakespearian and other works. Even if the audience has not read the novel, Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett, they will be able to follow the story and should have no trouble connecting with the wide range of characters. Audiences should come to the Walterdale Playhouse ready to laugh.
Any other comments you would like to share? An audience sees the actors on stage portray a character in a story. That is what they expect when they come to theatre. As all of us actors know, we would be standing naked on a dark, quiet, barren stage if not for the hard working folks behind the scenes who make us look good. Costumes, set, props, lighting, sound, front of house (to name a few) are integral to a successful performance. The production team for this show is fantastic. I would like to thank all of them for the many long hours they have put into this production.
