From the wetlands of Georgian Bay at the edge of the 'Hens & Chickens Harbour', Collingwood has evolved over the past 150 years into a unique Town with a rich history and colourful characters.
In celebrating the community's sesquicentennial this summer, Theatre Collingwood's Artistic Director Steven Thomas takes us back in time to a form of theatre popular a century ago - a vaudeville show.
Opening the 2008 summer theatre season, Theatre Collingwood's production of the Hen & Chickens Vaudeville is live onstage at the Gayety Theatre for just 10 performances, evenings at 8 p.m. from July 2 to 5 and 8 to 12 with one matinee on July 3 at 2 p.m.
Possessing the finest deep water harbour in all of the Great Lakes and recognized by the little collection of islands just outside the harbour, Collingwood's unique maritime past is celebrated in Thomas' brand-new 'old time' entertainment. Production sponsor Noble Insurance joins season sponsor Blue Mountain Resorts Ltd. in supporting this world premiere.
Steven reminisces, "It was a joyful challenge to research and discover many interesting, famous cultural figures who hailed from Collingwood, such as Norah Mary Holland, known in the late 1800's as Canada's finest female poet, or dancer Jessica Alexandra Hodgson, who used the stage name Gail Collard when she was performing in the front lines of the Ziegfeld Follies and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.
"While this vaudeville is historical in its scope, it's not a history. It's a theatrical salute to the comedy, song and dance performed 100 years ago, which is every bit as entertaining today."
This 'rollicking good time' is performed by: Brad Borbridge (as Bill Ryan), Jay Wilson (as Sandford Lindsay), Lorena Mackenzie (as Gail Collard), Mark Allan (as Frank Gorman), Naomi Zara (as Essie Jennings), Jason Allin (as Jim Gerald) and Music Director Meaghan Hope (as the pianist, Con Conrad).
This 'gift to Collingwood residents' has been executed by production team: Steven Thomas (Stage director and Set Designer), Sharron Fleet (Choreographer), Linda Phillips (Costume Designer/Head of Wardrobe), Peter Fehlhaber (Lighting Designer/Technical Director), Hella Sandberg (Hair/Makeup Designer), Cathy Elliott (Scenic Artist), Julia Rannala (Stage Manager), Meghan Speakman (Head of Properties/Production Assistant) and Devon Thomas (Production Assistant).
Vaudeville is a form of variety entertainment born in the late 1800's which had its roots in the British Music Hall and American Minstrelsy. It would typically feature a wide variety of acts ranging from classical ballet to dance hall, from slapstick comedy routines and sketches to serious short dramas, from opera to the latest show tunes of the time. Each evening, the performance bill was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts. Often, the promoter himself would appear on the stage as a sort of Emcee and introduce the acts.
Bring the whole family to explore the very things our great-grandparents enjoyed. There will be surprises, comedy and mystification - wholesome good fun for all ages (recommended for ages eight and up). To reserve tickets by phone with a credit card, call (705) 445-2200 / 1 (866) 382-2200. Or, for more information, visit the website.
