By Burke Campbell

Theatre by the Bay

August 2022

This production was a big one for me. It was my first time directing a farce, my first time directing at the Five Points Theatre, my first time directing a touring show, and directing a script that I had a big hand in the development of for more than two years.

Burke Campbell is quite the playwright. I remember being introduced to his work many years ago and I was impressed with the way he handled racy (sometimes outright explicit) themes/scenarios, while also writing compelling female characters, with the vocabulary of an unhinged Oscar Wilde. In fact, I have read approximately 20 of his plays and I have always been impressed with Burke’s desire to tell stories that were daring, unique, and had a strong commercial edge.

Performances ran in Collingwood for a week and then moved to Barrie. It was fascinating to see what comedy didn’t land in Collingwood but did in Barrie. There were definitely some times where I had to say to the cast “trust me, it will work in Barrie”. Of course, I was right.

An important element with this project was that there were many people on my team that were absolutely amazing. Despite all the special kind of chaos we went through to make this show happen, they were continually solid. I am truly grateful to them (and they know who they are).

The Cast

Lynn Weintraub* - Augusta Peacock

Elana Post* - Doris Lester

Jonathon LeRose* - Biff Worthington

The Crew

Production Manager: Santana Hamilton

Technical Director: Julia Beaulieu (JB)

Lighting Designer: Za Hughes

Props Master: Brenda Thompson

Composer and Sound Designer: Joshua Doerksen

Costume Designer: Sandra Roberts

Stage Manger: Khaleel Gandhi*

Assistant Stage Manager: Lesley Coo*

* The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.