Local actors put on a quite a show and came home with some impressive honours from Theatre BC’s Central Interior Zone competition in Williams Lake, May 29-31.
While the 100 Mile Performing Arts Society's production of the A.R. Gurney play, Love Letters, didn't win best production, performers Renee Larochelle and Chris Adams did win some individual accolades.
Love Letters won best ensemble cast, Larochelle was named best actress in the novice category and Adams won the adjudicator’s choice award.
“Renee and Chris did a great job,” says director Marie Hooper. “There was a great audience there. They really enjoyed it. There were a lot of tears and a standing ovation. We knew we did a great show.”
Theatre BC, an umbrella association of community theatre groups across the province, has zone competitions every year. The events are good learning opportunities for community theatre groups, which put productions on for judges for a shot at entering Mainstage, an annual Provincial Theatre Festival held in Kamloops, July 5-11.
The local troupe had a great time at the regional event, performing along with two Williams Lake productions, Hooper says.
“It was great for Renee and Chris. They got to experience another theatre and they got to perform again, which they always love doing.”
Larochelle and Adams starred in Love Letters when it was shown in 100 Mile House last fall. The two-act drama centres on two characters – Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III – sitting side by side on stage, reading from letters and notes they've exchanged with each other throughout their lives. It's at different times a funny, romantic and tumultuous journey.
The 100 Mile Performing Arts Society will soon be releasing its upcoming season schedule following director pitches in May and June.