Busy theatre season ahead
Three productions set for summer, fall in Baddeck
After two successful runs at the historic Masonic Hall, Theatre Baddeck’s historical-fiction comedy “Young Ladies of Baddeck Club” is coming to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site this fall.
The performance follows the antics of four fictional members of the very real Young Ladies of Baddeck Club that was founded by Mabel Bell in 1891 as they try to create a fitting event to celebrate the community’s incorporation as a village in 1908.
The ringleader, Marguerite McLeod, sees this incorporation celebration as the most important event likely to ever take place in their small community.
“The irony is that they have no idea that the very next year Baddeck will be on the world stage as the setting for the first powered flight in British North America,” said Christy MacRaeZiss, playwright and co-artistic director of Theatre Baddeck, in a news release.
The project that will run Sept. 8-24 is made possible by Theatre Baddeck’s partnership with the Alexander Graham Bell Foundation, a Canadian registered charity.
The foundation has been established to support the telling of the story of Alexander and Mabel Bell, including their legacy, contribution to the world and impacts that continue to be relevant to society today.
“Partnering with Theatre Baddeck on this production aligns perfectly with our mandate to further the legacy of Mabel Bell,” said Aynsley MacFarlane, chair of the board of directors, in a news release. “This new venue will allow for a fresh staging in a vibrant space.”
The play was written to celebrate Baddeck’s rich history, according to Hannah Ziss, a playwright and co-artistic director of
Theatre Baddeck. “Mabel Bell is so integral to that history — we wanted a unique and fun way to celebrate her legacy too. We couldn’t be more delighted to be bringing the show to the (historic site).”
Though the story is fictional, it is said to be full of Baddeck’s history and the influences of the Bells, which can also be found at the national historic site.
Theatre Baddeck will also be back at the Masonic Hall in July and August with two comedies.
“Murder at the Inverary Inn” is a fast-paced, suspense comedy about a love triangle in 1979 at Baddeck’s Inverary Inn.
“The play’s original title is Murder at the Howard Johnson’s,” said MacRae-Ziss. “But we wanted to give the play a local, unique flavour and the playwrights were more than happy to permit the title change.”
The show stars Canadian Comedy Award nominee Terry Barna, Theatre Baddeck newcomer Dan Payne and MacRaeZiss.
The second comedy is “Harvest” by Ken Cameron and was first seen by Theatre Baddeck audiences in 2016.
It features a farming couple from Margaree who decide to retire and move to a condo in Sydney but when they rent their farmhouse mayhem ensues.
Both shows run from July 13Aug. 20 at the Masonic Hall.
Visit www.theatrebaddeck.com for schedule and ticket information.