Fellow Royal City residents, did you know that we can lay claim to the longest continually running community theatre company in the province?
That's one of the facts I picked up at the opening night gala for the Vagabond Players' new production, Spirit Level. The comedy, which is playing at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen's Park, launched the company's 75th anniversary season.
Yes, our very own Vagabond Players - which began with a series of one-act plays staged at St.
Aidan's Church - have been offering community theatre productions every year since 1937.
And, judging by the enthusiastic crowd and the delightful production we were treated to at opening night, it's not hard to imagine another 75 years ahead.
Spirit Level tells the tale of Jack and Susie Cameron, a married couple who died in an accident and who now haunt the cottage where they used to live. It was a good choice for the season opener, with its nice balance of laugh-out-loud comedy and deeper philosophical questions.
Perhaps not surprisingly, leads Mike and Cathe Busswood - themselves a married couple - were spot-on as the Camerons, finding both the humour and the tragedy in their roles and making us genuinely care about their fate.
Rebecca Strom and Jordan Spanjers were equally perfect as the young couple taking up residence in the Camerons' house, and the three strong supporting players - David Wallace as the unfortunate real estate agent Mark Webster, Lynne Karey-McKenna as the imperious mother-in-law Marcia Bradshaw, and Mila YeeHafer as the overworked Guardian Angel - milked the considerable humour in their roles to great effect.
Kudos to the whole team, and to director Dale Kelly, for an entertaining night out.
If you haven't seen Spirit Level yet, there's still time - it's playing until Oct. 29.
For more, check out www.vagabondplayers. ca, or call 604-521-3055 for information. (For reservations only, call 6045210412.)
AUDITIONS SET
While I'm on the subject of the Vagabond Players, a reminder that the company is holding auditions on Oct. 16 and 17 for its next production, Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge.
The show will be on stage from Dec. 15 to Jan. 7.
Actors of all ages are being sought for a variety of roles, both lead and ensemble - you can check out all the details at www. vagabondplayers.ca under the Auditions link for specifics.
Auditions will be held on a first-come, first-served basis both nights, from 7 to 10 p.m.
CLASSICAL POPS
Music lovers, mark your calendars now for this one.
The New Westminster Symphony Orchestra is offering up a classical pops concert on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Massey Theatre.
The program includes some classical favourites: Verdi's La Forza del Destino Overture, Bartok's Romanian Dances, Shostakovich's Cheryomushki Suite and Delibes' Coppelia Suite.
Admission is by donation.
For more on the orchestra and its 2011/12 season, check out www.nwso.ca.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, jmaclellan@royalcityrecord. com. You can also follow her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
