A Fun Take on a Festive Favourite

(L-R) Darren Thyne, Darlene Carr, Jennifer Cody, Cielo Richardson, and Kate Humphreys rehearse a musical number accompanied by pianist Adriana Proton

Rivercity Plays is delighted to return to the stage this November with a hilarious take on Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Written by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr., The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol is one of a series of delightful plays about the fictional society and their attempts to mount a production of a famous work.

The ladies, and long suffering stage manager, Gordon, mount a full assault on the much loved Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Miscues, costume and prop failures abound but it won't stop the stalwart thespians from bringing the story to their adoring followers.

The Rivercity Players production will be directed by Dee and Dick Poulton. The directors first saw the play performed in Vancouver several years ago, and as soon as Dick and Dee saw the Rivercity Stage they knew it was the perfect venue to present it in. Dee was quick to respond when Rivercity Players’ call for directors for the 2022-2023 season went out.

“This play is unique in it's wacky approach to theatre production,” says Dee. “This series of plays are not produced often because of the intricate dance of light, sound and multi-character acting required. There are not many plays that break the fourth wall throughout it's acts and the fact that the audience isn't familiar with this version of A Christmas Carol is really exciting for us.”

The cast features Jennifer Cody, Darlene Carr, Darren Thyne, Cielo Richardson and Kate Humphreys.

Opening night is Thursday November 24th at the Rivercity Stage at 7:30pm. The play runs November 24th to 26th at 7:30pm, with matinees Saturday November 26th and Sunday November 27th at 2pm. It then continues December 1st to 3rd with three more evening performances at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $25 and available now at www.rivercitytickets.ca

Rivercity Players Float Kayak

L-R: Dennis Hawkins-Bogle, Tim Myerscough, Darlene Carr, Kate Humphreys; Photo courtesy of Laura Mudge

Campbell River’s favourite small stage is welcoming audiences to enjoy the modern Canadian play Kayak by Jordan Hall. “I've wanted to bring this play to the Rivercity Stage ever since I read it" says producer Heather Gordon Murphy. “Kayak is a quirky, creative and thought-provoking play. It explores the challenging issues of family, climate change, politics and soul searching, and it does so with compassion and humour".

The powerfully written play finds Annie Iversen (played by Darlene Carr) on a vast stretch of water recounting the strange chain of events that left her stranded in her son’s old kayak. The doting suburban mother is blindsided when her son, Peter (played by Dennis Hawkins-Bogle), falls in love with Julie (played by Kate Humphreys), a passionate environmental activist. Unable to reconcile herself to Julie’s “radical” worldview, Annie struggles desperately to keep Peter from falling further into the young woman’s dangerous world.

Director Tim Myerscough, who is no stranger to Campbell River audiences, says he has found the play technically challenging and gratifying, “It’s been challenging to create the illusion of being lost on the water, flitting between Annie’s memories and hallucinations, and gratifying to see the growth in the actors' portrayal of their characters and the imagination of the technicians and stage crew to bring the illusions to life”.

The production runs February 17-27 with evening shows Thursday to Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Matinees Saturday and Sundays at 2:00p.m. Tickets are available at www.rivercitytickets.ca or call 250-914-0419. For more information visit rivercityplayers.ca or facebook.com/rivercityplayers.CR/.

Anyone entering the theater must be fully vaccinated and audience members are required to wear masks. For everyone’s safety, the theatre capacity will be reduced to 50%.

For media inquiries, contact:

Heather Gordon Murphy, Producer

heather @ coremoves dot ca