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Showing posts with label The Weir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Weir. Show all posts

Monday, October 22, 2012

People are Saying Great Things About The Weir...

Here are some of the reviews for Walterdale's 54th Season Opener, The Weir.  It sure is flattering to hear all this praise for our work!

"The potent mix of McPherson's gift for storytelling, blarney, charm and poignancy,sympathetic direction (Anne Marie Szucs) and an excellent cast that seem as authentic as the peat moss burning in the grate, will keep you entranced."

"The warmth of the pub atmosphere is key to the success of The Weir as a play. The production’s strongest point is its ability to transform the seats of the theatre into the seats of a pub where you just happen to be overhearing a night of stories. Everything from the technical elements to the cultural details to the non-verbal communication between characters contributes to the believability of the characters and, by extension, the believability of their stories."

"Yes, this is a play about ghosts and fairies, about unexplained phenomena—some hearsay, some from personal experience. In total, the characters will tell you four stories about an incident related to the paranormal, and if you have a very active imagination I can guarantee you will get goosebumps as you hear each one of them."

"The Weir combines theatrical art, entertainment and a bit of a spiritual quest. The stories are brilliant, the dialogue lyrical and cast truly embodies their character."

Friday, October 19, 2012

Check Out The Art in the Lobby and Get a Sweet Theatre Deal!

This Saturday (tomorrow, October 20th) if you are checking out the Strathcona Farmer's Market, do yourself a favour and pop into the theatre to see our current Art in the Lobby display.  Every show the art is changed and new work from Alberta Artists is on display.  While you are there taking a peek at the beautiful work, grab a coupon to get a fabulous deal on The Weir, now playing at Walterdale.  The coupon will get you a $5.00 discount on selected nights of the show. 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Opening Night - The Weir!

Tonight we kick off Waltedale's 54th Season with The Weir.  The weather seems perfect for the show.  It's the kind of show that calls for a windy Fall evening.  We hope that you make it out tonight and that we can share the spirit of community so present in the piece.  The more I think about it, with it's themes of the supernatural, storytelling and community, this show feels written for Walterdale.

Here are a few media previews that came out today.

The Gateway - Preview Article

Edmonton Journal - Ten to Do

Join us tonight at 8 p.m. for the show and upstairs for our reception afterwards where we shall all raise a glass together!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Anglia Redding and Jeff Turkiewicz- ASM and Sound Op. on The Weir

Anglia has been attached to The Weir since before auditions when she stepped up to ASM. She recently brought her husband Jeff onboard to join the team as Sound Op.

What is your role in the production?
Anglia – I’m one of two assistant stage managers who are working behind the scenes to make sure that the actors have all necessary props on hand. When you see them spending money, I made sure it got into the pocket!
Jeff - I was recruited to be the light operator, but I was promoted* to sound operator before I even set foot in the booth.
*Note: there is no official ranking between sound op. and lighting op. but for this show, sound op. has more cues...

What is your background in theatre?
Anglia – I was quite a shy person (hard to believe, I know) until I was cast as Jacob Marley in a elementary school production of A Christmas Carol when I was 12. My love of theatre really snowballed from there. I attended Artstrek, a summer theatre camp, for three consecutive years. I completed a two-year Visual and Performing Arts diploma at Keyano Theatre in Fort McMurray. I played roles in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Les Belles Soeurs, The Trojan Women, The Grapes of Wrath, and the female version of The Odd Couple, as well as many others. Whatever show I wasn’t cast in, I always found a way to weasel my way backstage. The Weir actually ends a 12-year hiatus from the theatre.
Jeff – My background usually consisted of me being an audience member. This is the first show I’ve actually participated in.

Do you have a favourite ghost story you can relate?

Anglia – I am alternately terrified and fascinated with ghosts. I love watching ghost-hunting shows and became particularly entranced by a British series called Most Haunted. There was a group of people and they would set up cameras and other equipment and hang out in a supposedly haunted location all night long. One episode had them hanging out in an brewery. A member of the team went into the basement by himself armed only with a camera. There was a keg ramp that was used to roll the metal containers down onto the floor – it was quite a steep grade. As the guy started talking to whatever entity he thought was there, a keg full of stout began rolling UP the ramp – a feat that’s impossible unless two people are pushing it. And he was down there by himself! I actually shrieked out loud. Jeff made fun of me for at least a week.
Jeff – Although I consider myself a skeptic, I do love a good ghost story. When I was a kid, the movie The Changeling starring George C. Scott, terrified the hell out of me. I remember sneaking out of bed and hiding behind my mother’s armchair to watch it when I should have been in bed. I had nightmares for weeks. Having re-watched it as an adult, it certainly wasn’t as scary as it was when I was little, but that memory has always stayed with me.

Why do you think audiences should come and see The Weir?

Anglia – It’s the perfect play for October. There’s always been a little but of spookiness associated with it because of its lead up to Halloween. The Weir is great way to get a little chill down the spine before it’s time for all the ghosts and ghouls to come out for real.
Jeff – I think it’s great to come out and support local theatre. Plus what Ang said.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Introducing Gavin O'Toole - Finbar Mack in The Weir

1. What is your role in this production? I play the part of Finbar Mack, a real estate agent, hotel owner and opportunistic entrepreneur. Although raised in the same rural area in which the play is set, Finbar left for the town under the auspices of seeking his fortune, his departure however may have been underpinned by a more haunting disturbance. For a return visit to this small community that should provide him the opportunity to affirm his carefully cultivated status, he is met by an evening that takes on some unexpected turns.

2. What is your background in theatre? I began my actor training in the school classroom, with a dedication to entertaining teachers and students rather than tending to the daily activities presented on any blackboard. It took a decade from there before giving actor training any serious consideration. Between the Gaiety School of Acting and Bull Alley Theatre Training Company in Dublin, I spent three years tinkering with the calling. Before coming to Canada in 2004 I played roles as Shakepeare's Romeo, Wagner in Doctor Faustus and Paddy Maguire in one of Irelands longest running plays, Goodbye to the Hill. This will be my first full length production in Canada and Walterdale.

3. Do you have a favourite ghost story you can relate? Having the karma to be born with an older brother who saw his siblings as real life test dummies for his wildly creative, but macabre, sense of humour; most of the ghostly occurrences/stories that have lasted, were enacted pranks executed by him close to bedtime. Gore-ified mannequins were placed behind curtains and set to topple from windowsills to our beds, hand made monsters attached to string slowly emerged from under our beds, made mobile through a deft-hand stationed on the landing. Tape recorders were slid under beds with time delay periods before heavy breathing and eerie sounds would begin to rise up from under our mattresses. Ghostly Stories and movies have had to take second place to a childhood impacted by these temporarily-real moments of true terror!

4. Why do you think audiences should come and see The Weir? If you have an appreciation for the art of storytelling and enjoy seeing the craft of a master weave the lines between the natural and supernatural, this tale is a standard by which others can be measured. The elements are all in place at Walterdale for ten chilling nights of soul penetrating mischief.

The photos:
Headshot from 2006 - supplied
Before going onstage to play Isaac Tallentire in The Hired Man by Melvyn Bragg - supplied

Friday, September 28, 2012

Spotlight on Cody Porter - Jack in The Weir

1.What is your role in this production?  I play Jack in The Weir. He is a mechanic in a rural Irish garage. Jack is one of the local lads who frequents Brendan's (Justin Deveau) pub. He has a best mate Jim (Kieran O'Callaghan), a rival Finbar (Gavin O'Toole), an unwilling protege in Brendan, and a new and interesting acquaintance Valerie (Gwyneth Kellii). I suppose you could say he, like many of the characters in the play, leads a complacent little life in a small sphere. The kind of existence where a seemingly minor change in the ordinary course can create a huge ripple effect in their experience. The thing which might distinguish Jack most of all is his ability/desire to “take the piss” out of everyone and everything (himself included), and his ability to use the lens of his limited perception to extrapolate greater truths about the world at large. He is a big fish in his little pond, but it may not be a mantle which sits well on his shoulders.

2. What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I started doing theatre in high school. Coming from a small town in Saskatchewan (Carnduff) there wasn't a horde of willing participants to perform in plays. That being said, I did get several chances to tread the gymnasium boards. I enjoyed that so much that I decided to apply to the University of Regina theatre program, and after auditioning I was accepted. A few years later I auditioned for and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. When I came back to Canada I moved to Edmonton and started acting here in 2004. The first show I was did in the city was Our Town at the Walterdale. Since then I have been acting rather steadily, primarily on independent and fringe stages. I have been quite active with (Walterdale Artistic Director) Sarah Van Tassel's independent company Guts&Guile, also with the Other Theatre, and Forces of Chaos. Aside from acting I have written and directed a few shows over the years. I have done a decent amount of Walterdale shows as well including: Swimming with Goldfish (one acts), The Cripple of Inishmaan, Antony and Cleopatra, and You are Here.

3. Since The Weir is a bit of a spooky play, do you have a favourite scary movie or play? I don't know if I really have a favourite scary play, movie or story. I am a real fan of the thriller/horror genre and I would say there is a certain type of story that resonates more with me as an audience member. In these stories the characters are not attacked by monsters, ghosts or aliens but rather serve as conduits for malevolent forces. I am most interested in the effects of misanthropic behaviour on our social constructs, whether made manifest by contagion, vampirism, zombies, possession, isolation or simply psychological dysfunction. My favourite stories use these devices to create parables about the sometimes dark and brutal nature of humanity. I like to think, as most of them conclude, that our baser natures can be overcome.

4. Why do you think audiences should come and see The Weir? I have a very big place in my heart for Conor McPherson. His ability to tell simple, honest, and evocative stories is second to none. What on the surface looks like a bunch of lads getting together share some “small ones” and tell a few “old cod” stories, ends up whispering some much larger themes. Anne Marie Szucs has put together a crack team of people for this one, and the world that is being created is as haunting, rich and nuanced as the best of Irish folklore. The premise is deceptively simple for this show, but as you immerse yourself in this dark little place and commune with these characters you may find that the experience creeps in and lingers with you long after the lights go up.
  * photocredits: Headshot - provided; Photo of Cody from You Are Here by Douglas Dollars Stewart

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Spotlight on Kristen M. Finlay - Master Painter for The Weir at Walterdale Theatre

What is your role on this Production? I am the Master Painter for the The Weir.  For this particular show this means that I am picking the paint and deciding how to colour the world created by Set Designer Jim Herchak.  I also coordinate the painting volunteers and show them what to do and decide on textures and techniques to paint the set.

What is your background in theatre?  With Walterdale? I have been involved in theatre since grade 7 when I played a party guest in A Christmas Carol. I was upgraded to fiddler at the party because the girl who was supposed to do that failed to show up for the performance.  Luckily it was miming the fiddle because I do not play.  I grew up in Fort McMurray and in high school I started doing work both backstage and onstage at Keyano Theatre.  After teaching math and science for several years I moved into teaching high school drama, it was there that I started directing and later playwriting.  I moved to Edmonton in 2005 and met some Walterdale members while doing an ELOPE show.  They recommended Walterdale's One Acts and I auditioned for and was cast in Lunatic in spring of 2006.  I knew the minute I stepped in the building that I had found a home.  Since then I have appeared onstage here several times (Steel Magnolias, Black Hearts in the Green Room, The Threepenny Opera), have had a play produced (Pieces - 2007 version), have directed (Crimes of the Heart, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rabbit Hole, Nine), have designed a set (Village of Idiots) and props (Much Ado About Nothing) and have been master painter (Wyrd Sisters). I have also served on the Board of Directors as Secretary and Treasurer and am a former Artistic Director (2009-2011).  Next I will be onstage again in The Misanthrope in December. You might say I like it here.

What is your favorite scary story? Well, I am not a scary story fan.  Ask my husband, he will tell you I jump at the slightest "Boo!" in a movie.  However, I am a fan of Walter, our resident ghost.  I believe that Walter is a benevolent spirit who might like to goof up the works when he is feeling saucy, but I like the idea that the building is thought to house a ghost.  It's nice to think that the building is never completely empty.

Biggest Challenge of this production for you? This is a really big paint job - lots of surfaces and lots of textures and I have had to figure out a lot on my own in terms of colours (Jim trusts me).  Usually I rely heavily on Joan Hawkins to help when I have to figure out how to do something as she is the paint guru at Walterdale, but she is out of town.  The challenge for me has been trusting myself to get it right.  I turned a corner this week and I like where it is going.  I hope you all do too!

* headshot photo credit: Janine Hodder
* snuggie photo - Kristen and Nathan Stasiewich (her Assistant Director) at the Nine Sitz Probe

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Spotlight on Justin Deveau - Brendan in The Weir coming to Walterdale's stage in October 2012

Who do you play in this production? I play Brendan the bar man. He is a local farmer and owns and runs the pub where the play takes place.

What is you background in theatre? I have been involved with local theatre for 4-5 years now. With Walterdale? This is my fifth show with The Walterdale.

* Justin was in three shows at Walterdale in the 2011-2012 season: reasons to be pretty, Wyrd Sisters and Love of the Nightingale.  He was also in Much Ado About Nothing in the 2010-2011 season.  At Walterdale he has played a nice guy, a villain, a fool and a king.  Now he plays a pub owner.
Spooky stories feature in this play.  What is your favorite scary story? One of my favorite creepy stories is the Tell Tale Heart. It is always creepy to have a character talk about how sane and rational they are when that is clearly not the case. I have recently read stories by Sheridan Le Fanu an Irish writer that I enjoyed very much. Highly creepy.

Any last comments? This is a great cast! The atmosphere at the read through alone was great to be a part of.

Photos:
Left: Justin in reasons to be pretty; photo credit: Douglas Dollars Stewart (Rad Grandpa)
Right: Rachel Kent, Justin and Marsha Amanova in Love of the Nightingale, photo credit: Douglas Dollar Stewart

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Endings and Beginnings... Introducing the Cast and Team of the The Weir

Another show closed at Walterdale last night, however, there is no rest for the building.  In the middle of the run of Nine, Director Anne Marie Szucs and her team were busy holding auditions for The Weir, the first show of the 2012-2013 season.

I am please to announce the Cast and Production Team of Connor McPherson's The Weir, coming to Walterdale's stage in October 2012!

CAST
Cody Porter - Jack
Justin Deveau - Brendan
Kieran O'Callaghan - Jim
Gavin O'Toole - Finbar
Gwyneth Kellii - Valerie

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director - Anne Marie Szucs
Assistant Director - David Johnston
Stage Manager - Kayla Lee Willey
Assistant Stage Manager - Ian Fitzgerald
Assistant Stage Manager - Anglia Redding Turkiewicz
Production Manager - Catherine Wenschlag
Set Designer - Jim Herchak
Light Designer - Brad Melrose
Sound Designer - Darrell Portz
Costume Designer - Patti Zeglen
Dialect Coach - Marliss Weber
Props Coordinator - Elinor Tofin
Master Builder - Richard Hatfield
Master Painter - Kristen Finlay
Lighting Operator - Liz Furber
Sound Operator - Nathan Stasiewich

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Auditions for The Weir - First up in the 2012-2013 Season

AUDITION NOTICE
The Weir by Conor McPherson

PERFORMANCE DATES: October 17-27, 2012
AUDITION DATES: July 8 & 9, 2012; Times: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Avenue)
Call-backs: Sat., July 14th, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Walterdale Playhouse

DIRECTOR: Anne Marie Szucs;
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: David Johnston;
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Catherine Wenschlag;
STAGE MANAGER: Kayla Wiley;
ASMS: Ian Fitzgerald, Anglia Redding Turkiewicz;
SET DESIGN: Jim Herchak;
COSTUME DESIGN: Patti Zeglen;
LIGHTING DESIGN: Brad Melrose;
SOUND DESIGN: Darrell Portz;
DIALECT COACH: Marliss Wweber;
PROPERTIES: Elinor Tofin;

In a small rural bar in western Ireland, four men gather every night to drink and tell stories. Tonight, they are joined by a young woman from Dublin. What starts as a visit to the local pub turns into a night of ghostly tales and an unexpected twist that changes everything.

Characters:
(Please note that ages should reflect what you read as onstage – not your actual age.)
Jack, male, fifties
Brendan, male, thirties
Jim, male, forties
Finbar, male, late forties
Valerie, female, thirties

•Rehearsals will begin in August. Rehearsals will be scheduled around actor availability whenever possible.

Audition Expectations:
◦You will be auditioning with a group of 4 to 5 other actors in a half-hour slot. Please prepare a monologue that tells a story (clear beginning, middle, and end). You may be asked to cold read from the play, so please familiarize yourself with it before auditioning. We are looking for actors who can speak with an Irish accent – you may be asked to do so during the audition.

•Please bring any conflict dates you have to the audition. Headshots and résumés are recommended, but not required.

•Copies of the script are available for reading at Walterdale. Contact the Theatre Administrator at walterph@telus.net or 780.439.3058 to sign one out.

•Walterdale is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers.

TO BOOK AN AUDITION or for further information, please email Anne Marie Szucs at amszucs@xplornet.com or phone 780-903-5136.

(Drop-ins will be accommodated as time allows)

Friday, May 25, 2012

Retrospective - Introducing Walterdale's 54th Season

Wednesday afternoon marked the official launch of Walterdale's 54th Season, Retrospective.  I was happy to be a part of the event, as I introduced and sang a song from next season's musical, Anything Goes.  It was fun to be on Walterdale's stage to sing such a clever and upbeat song and great to see all the people who came out for the Launch. I also introduced a scene and song from Nine, the final show in this year's season.

Next season at Walterdale, we will be treated to the following pieces:

The Weir, by Conor McPherson
Directed by Anne Marie Szucs
On Stage: October 17-27, 2012
Auditions: July 8 & 9, 2012

An amateur production of

The Misanthrope by Molière, in a version by Martin Crimp
Directed by Janine Hodder
On Stage: December 5-15, 2012
Auditions: September 2 & 3, 2012

Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Mary-Ellen Perley
On Stage: February 6-16, 2013
Auditions: October 21 & 22, 2012
 
Burning Vision by Marie Clements
Directed by Sarah Van Tassel
On Stage: April 10-20, 2013
Auditions: December 9 & 10, 2012

From Cradle to Stage: An Evening of One-Acts New Works by Local Playwrights
Submission Deadline: September 14, 2012
On Stage: May 20-25, 2013
Auditions: February 10 & 11, 2013

Anything Goes, Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
Directed by Barbara Mah
On Stage: July 3-13, 2013
Auditions: March 3 & 4, 2013

Monday, January 9, 2012

Walterdale Brings Back the Donor-Voted Show!







Have you ever wanted to have your say in what shows get on the Walterdale Stage? Now's your chance! Two seasons ago we had our first Donor Voted Show (a fabulous idea which came to the Board from then Vice President Justen Bennett) which allowed those theatre sponsor who donated a minimum of $20.00 to Walterdale Theatre to vote on one of three shows to be presented on our stage in the following season. That vote led to the wonderfully saucy production of Much Ado about Nothing. Due to the fabulous response to the event we are reprising it this year!


The rules are the same. Anyone who donates a minimum of $20.00 to the theatre between January 1, 2011 and January 20, 2012 will have the opportunity to vote on one of three shows selected by our Artistic Director, Sarah Van Tassel. The show chosen will go up in our October slot of the season. There is only one vote per donor allowed, however, nothing is stopping you from getting a group of friends together to support the show you really want to see on our stage! Donations will also be accepted the evening of the event (January 20th) but cash or cheque only, please.

The three shows up for your consideration are:

Dial ‘M’ for Murder by Frederick Knott
Believing that he has planned the perfect crime, a cold-hearted husband hires a thug to murder his wife. The audience members hold their breath as they watch to see what happens next. Will the husband get away with the heinous deed? Will the wife survive?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dial_M_for_Murder



Dracula by Steven Dietz*
Everyone is familiar with the dark tale of Dr. Seward, his fiancée, Lucy, and their mysterious neighbour, Count Dracula, but here the events take on intensified effect through the heightened action and simplified staging of a this fast-moving new version.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula#Adaptations


*If selected translation will either be by Crane Johnson or Steven Dietz



The Weir by Conor McPherson
A bar in a remote part of Ireland. The local lads are swapping spooky stories to impress a young woman who recently moved to the area from Dublin. As the drink flows and the stories become increasingly frightening, it’s clear that Valerie has something on her mind. She has a tale to tell that’ll stop them all dead in their tracks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Weir



Readings from the 3 works will be held at this special event on Friday, January 20th at Walterdale Playhouse. There is no charge for this event, but if you want to vote you have to donate!

Program of the evening:
7:00pm Doors open
8:00pm Readings from play selections will begin
8:45pm Final votes (voting will close at 9pm)
9:30pm Announcement of play selected

Each donor will receive one ballot. If you give as a family or couple, you are considered a single donor and will only receive one ballot.