The play is the classic ‘Blithe Spirit’ written by Noel Coward; a terrific mix of supernatural thriller and British comedy. Sort of like a cross between ‘Ghost Whisperer’ and “Fawlty Towers” only without the hotel or Jennifer Love Hewitt (Dang!).
The plot involves a fictitious, wealthy writer named Charles Condomine, played brilliantly by East of 60 stalwart, Andy Toms and his incredibly believable English accent. (Okay, so he is actually British.) In the play, Charles sets out to have a séance with his current wife, Ruth, (wickedly portrayed by Calmar school teacher Angie Podgurny) along with another couple, Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (Calmar newbie Mike Keindel and Prairie Player veteran Tammy Bateman portray the pair to a ‘T’) Charles needs background material for a book he is planning about a homicidal medium. The working title of his anticipated tome is ‘The Unseen’, although I think he would be better served by; ‘Small Medium At Large’.
During the séance, however, the psychic they hired, a Madame Arcati, (hysterically brought to life by Calmar Dart League’s ace shooter, Cindy Thornton) accidently brings back the spirit of Charles’ first wife who died tragically seven years before. Paula Bancroft, who in real life is a nurse at the Devon Hospital, brings a seductive edge to the role of ghostly first wife, Elvira. Much hilarity ensues as Charles is the only one who can see or hear his ectoplasmic ex. Kelly Ainsworth rounds out the cast as the Condomine’s young maid, Edith, who is injured when Elvira tries to kill off Charles so they can be reunited in the hereafter.
The cast is a mixture of seasoned vets and those who are, shall we say, more lightly seasoned. At least half of the cast had their first taste of thespianism in the Devon play ‘A Christmas Carol’ just this past December. Having had such success with their small roles in that East of 60 production, they were bitten by the acting bug so severely, they needed calamine lotion. The only real cure for them, however, was to audition for the Prairie Players in January.
Little did they know that being part of a seven person play is VERY different than the 42 character classic they’d experienced previously. Role size in theatre is measured by the number of lines you’re entrusted with and that yuletide extravaganza had a bigger cast than King Kong with a broken leg. Even with multiple roles, there were very few lines to go around, other than for Scrooge himself. For example, in that production, I got to play Marley’s ghost, Old Joe the Pawnbroker, and the butcher that Scrooge sends for to deliver the prize turkey. My total line count was maybe 30. Contrast that with ‘Blithe Spirit’ where the lead characters have hundreds of lines and it becomes a whole different ball game. If nerves were curves, the cast of ‘Blithe Spirit’ would resemble Catherine Zeta Jones… except Andy and Mike. Not that they’re not nervous too but I just can’t picture them as ‘curvy’.
That’s the joy, however, of community theatre. No matter how professional-looking our shows have been described as, the actors are just ordinary folk from the area that have decided to try on acting as a life’s adventure. They are farther out of their comfort zone than Dave Chappelle at a Ku Klux Klan convention.
I could go on about their enthusiasm, creativity and talent, blah blah blah, and every word would be true, but the real reason these people have stuck with it is the same reason I became addicted. The creative outlet is nice and providing a little culture to the hinterland is arguably laudable, but the main reason we act is that it is simply a ton of fun. Our practises never cease to fill the cavernous Calmar Legion with the sounds of mirth. We clap for each other and support each other as we struggle with our roles that we are valiantly trying to learn. In that way, it is like slow-pitch or hockey or choir or any pursuit adults engage in to escape television and sameness in their lives. It is about being part of a team of friends achieving goals together and becoming greater than the sum of its parts. Except with acting, there’s way less running and skating.
Co-directing this play, along with ‘But Why Bump Off Barnaby’ alumnus, Leah Keller, has been an interesting experience. I admit I miss being up on stage but it is fascinating watching the play develop like a Polaroid pic. Each nuance the actors bring to their role is like a new colour in a magnificent portrait. Sadly, even Leah and I have to wait until opening night to see the image completed. For tickets, call SS Office Services in Calmar; 780-985-3600.
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