Thanks for joining us for our production of School for Scandal, a New Adapation!

By William Harwell Wilson
Directed by Sue Davey
Produced by Claire Pinkett

Production Dates:
January 11-13, 2024 at 7:30pm
January 14, 2024 at 3:00pm
January 19-20, 2024 at 7:30pm

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**Claire Pinkett** (*S43 President and Show Producer)*
Claire has been on the Board of Directors of Stage 43 for more than 20 years. She is passionate about keeping community theatre in the community and making it accessible for all. She is a producer, a stage manager, a set builder/painter, a set dec artist, a props mistress, an actress, and anything else a production requires. She is most likely to be seen in the lobby, greeting patrons or selling 50/50 tickets, or onstage before the show telling everyone to turn off their mobile devices…lol!

Message from the President:

School is in. Today’s lesson is about how a play that was first performed at Drury Lane Theatre in London on May 8, 1777, can still be relevant today. William Harwell Wilson and the Scuttlemagoon Players of Oregon may have edited and updated some of the original work, but Sheridan’s marvelous language and keen observations are all still intact.

Not only is Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s play still relevant, but it might also be more apropos in 2024. Slander, hypocrisy and gossip, themes written about almost 250 years ago, have flourished with the creation of the Internet and social media. Gossip papers and websites are fueled by the public’s desire to buy into rumours, conspiracies and scandal. Spreading false or exaggerated information for ratings and titillation is not only a hobby for some, it is big business for others. Spill the tea. Dish the dirt. Tell me what you’ve heard.

“School for Scandal explores how people hide and are exposed, both literally and figuratively. As characters’ true natures are unmasked, hypocrites ae seen for who they are, while mistaken impressions and unearned reputations are corrected.” (litcharts.com) It would be nice to believe that in this day and age, good can triumph over evil, that wrongs can be righted, and that the bad guys never win. The world needs more of this right now.

We hope you find the same find the same humour and irony in this comedy of manners that we did, as we endeavoured to bring this modern dress version of School for Scandal to the stage. Kudos to first-time Stage 43 director Sue Davey, and her cast and crew, for giving us all something light, fun and creative to start off the new year. Don’t be afraid to laugh loud and laugh often – it’s good for your soul!

Synopsis
Can a rich, old bachelor and a spirited young woman from the country find marital bliss amid scheming neighbours, ruined reputations, and the latest fashion? A notorious high-society gossip employs several unscrupulous acquaintances in an attempt to break up a relationship between Charles Surface, whom she desires, and Maria, who stands to inherit a fortune and is in turn desired by one of the gossip's co-conspirators!

Wilson’s fast-moving, modern dress adaptation brings Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s classic comedy from 1777 into the 21st century with updated story telling, spunky women, and all the fun of an action-packed sitcom. Sheridan’s marvelous language and keen observations are all intact. Intelligent sparkle for all ages!

**Sue Davey** (Director)
Sue’s love of performing started early in life, starting with school productions, working for repertory theatre and then more formal training. She directed the annual school musicals during her teaching career as well as acting in community theatre in Ontario. Since moving to the mainland after retiring, she has directed and acted with the Dogwood Players, stage managed and acted with Stage 43 and the Ioco Players.

Message from the Director:

With apologies to Robert Frost…

Whose play this is I think I know,
It was written many years ago;
But now someone has changed the words
And updated they now will flow.

At first I thought it very queer
To direct it in a modern year.
The manners though remain the same,
Nasty tales and lies catch the ear.

The difference that time did make,
From talk to papers that were fake;
Now ‘tis internet chat we fear,That makes
our lives begin to quake.

The words are lovely, fun but deep,
The actions too will take a leap.
Directing this has been such fun
And these great actors I will keep.

OUR CAST:

**Kelsey Robertson** as *Lady Teazle*
Kelsey is delighted to be back on stage with Stage 43. You may have seen her take the stage with Stage 43 in *Calendar Girls* or in *The 39 Steps.* Other select credits include *Laughter on the 23rd Floor* (Vagabond Players), *Sherlock’s Veiled Secret* (Vagabond Players), *Trying* (NVCP), *Terror by Gaslight* (Vagabond Players), *Run For Your Wife* (Page Theatre), and *Almost, Maine* (NVCP). Kelsey won Best Supporting Actress for *Almost, Maine* at the Theatre BC North Shore Zone festival in 2019, and she holds a Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts from the University of Wales. Kelsey would like to thank Sue for this opportunity, the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication, and her friends and family for their love and support.

**Chris Gursche** as *Sir Peter Teazle*
Chris most recently played M. Bouc in Stage 43’s fall production of *Murder on the Orient Express*. Prior to that, he was Frank Burns in *M*A*S*H*, and has also appeared with various other theatre groups over the years. Now he has aged himself to take on the role of Sir Peter Teazle. Chris’ biggest regret is that the play does not contain classic lines such as, “Get off the lawn!” and “Keep your hands off the thermostat!” Chris might just be having too much fun being a codger—his wife may not let him out to play anymore.

**Cai Sun** as *Maria*
Cai is very excited for her first debut with Stage 43 as Maria for *School of Scandal*. Her previous showcases include *Charlie Brown* and Jeralyn in *Help Desk* (Treehouse Theatre) After a long hiatus from acting, she is eager to re-enter the scene.

**Alex Ross** as *Joseph Surface*
Alex has been in *Twelfth Night* twice. He is also a pretty good lighting designer.

**Sean Mawhinney** as *Charles Surface*
Sean is a 25-year-old amateur actor and less amateur computer scientist from Coquitlam. He is very pleased to be performing the role of Charles Surface in *School for Scandal*, having previously played another dilettante named Charles in *Sherlock’s Veiled Secret*. Sean’s other acting credits include *Laughter on the 23rd Floor*, *The Lion in Winter*, and *Much Ado About Nothing*. He would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support in his zany endeavours, Sue Davey for choosing him for the role, and of course, his wonderful crew and castmates.

**Michelle Stanley** as *Lady Sneerwell*
Michelle is “no hypocrite to deny the satisfaction…” of joining this talented cast and crew for her first Stage 43 production. Her recent roles include ‘Goneril’ in *King Lear* (EPTS) and ‘Cookie’ in Neil Simon’s *Rumors* (VP). Michelle offers gratitude to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Hunkuhmeenum) speaking people, upon who’s traditional and unceded territory our company has gathered to celebrate community and story.

**Paige Conzatti** as *Mrs. Candour*
Paige is so excited to be back performing at the Evergreen stage with Stage 43 and the amazingly talented cast and crew of *School for Scandal*. This is Paige’s 2nd production with Stage 43. Paige has been acting in community theatre for over 10 years and has recently joined the Golden Spike Can-Can dancers. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support. A big shout out to those who helped babysit so she could make it to rehearsals on time. She hopes you enjoy the show, and remember… “Tale bearers are just as bad as tale makers.”

**Halia Hirniak** as *Lady Olive*
Halia is thrilled to be back on stage again after a hiatus since 2020 while working exclusively in film and TV. (*Motherland*, *A Million Little Things*, and *Upload*) Much gratitude to Sue, who generously gave us all space to grow and play throughout the rehearsal process, and offered her support, wit, and experience when most needed. Thanks to our dedicated crew for their diligent work, and much love to castmates one and all - for your talent, collaboration, and friendship. As always, appreciation to Grant - my rock and mentor.

**Connor Hogg** as *Sir Benjamin Backbite*
Connor is a theatre performer from New Westminster and currently resides on the land of the Halq'eméylem speaking peoples. Connor has been part of theatre his whole life and is a graduate of Capilano University’s Musical Theatre program. Connor is starting to branch out into film and TV and is excited for all that is to come. His previous credits include *Grease* (KAS), Manfred in *Sunset Boulevard* (KAS), Leif in *The Snow Queen* (RCTC), and Anthoney in *Sweeny Todd* (Secondary Characters).

**Diane Tzingounakis** as *Mrs. Crabtree*
Diane is thrilled to be back on stage again with *School for Scandal* playing the delightful gossip Mrs. Crabtree! It has been fun to be so delightfully devious along with all the other scandalous characters in the play! Diane has been in another production at Stage 43, *The Creature Creeps,* as the weird housekeeper. Some of her other favorite productions include *Lend Me a Tenor*, *Inspecting Carol*, with Vagabond Players, *The Three Muskateers* with Emerald Pig, and *Anne of Green Gables* with Theatre in the Country. Many thanks to Sue Davey and the other members of the cast and crew of the show. It has been fun to be so devilish together. Enjoy the show!

**Shannon Dumas** (*Stage Manager*)
Shannon joined Stage 43 as an assistant stage manager for *The Creature Creeps!* and for the unfortunately canceled (at the time) *The Elephant Man*. Shannon had previously been a member of Royal Canadian Musical Theatre’s crew and board, and was part of the Millennium Theatre Group. Shannon was thrilled to be an assistant stage manager again for *The 39 Steps* and a stage manager for *Skin Flick*. Her favourite place to watch any show is from the wings! She is looking forward to many more productions with Stage 43.

Acknowledgements:

Stage 43 would like to express sincere thanks to the following:

The staff and volunteers of the Evergreen Cultural Centre for their support of community theatre and always making it a fun place to play.
Krista Pavane and the technical operations staff of the Evergreen Cultural Centre for their technical expertise and mentorship.
Jessica Fowlis and Emily Bayrock of the Evergreen Cultural Centre for their assistance in promotion.
Royal Canadian Theatre Company for the loan of the door flat.
Colleen Bignell, Margie Taylor, Halia Hirniak, and the Metzners for the loan of furniture pieces.
David Berrouard for transportation and signage assistance.
And, of course, YOU - our patrons - for your kind support of community theatre!

Production Team:

Producer – Claire Pinkett
Director – Sue Davey
Stage Manager – Shannon Dumas
Assistant Stage Manager – Margie Taylor
Projection Designer & Operator – Kelvin Bear
Lighting Designer & Operator – Stuart Chaplin
Sound Designer & Operator – Kelvin Bear
Costumer – Jennifer Strazhnik
Properties – Sue Davey & team
Backstage Crew – Katrina Ovans & Pat Prigge
Set Designer – Sue Davey
Set Decoration – Sue Davey & Shannon Dumas
Poster Design – Katrina Lashmar
Virtual Program Design – Sharon Notarrigo
Social Media & Publicity – Claire Pinkett & Sharon Notarrigo
Front-of-House Coordinators – Claire Pinkett, Sharon Notarrigo & Kate du Cros