A FARCE OF NATURE
Drinking Habits funny without being over the top,
There are laughs in a theatre production that’s a farce, but don’t assume because it’s funny that it’s also a comedy.
If that statement confuses you, let Carri Lelliott clear up the situation.
“In a farce, usually what’s funny is the context of what they’re saying. In a comedy, often actors have funny lines,” explained Lelliott, who is directing Drinking Habits, a farce that is the latest production from Regina Little Theatre. “In farces, it’s not the lines that they say, it’s the situation or the unknown that makes it funny. It’s a little sneakier than a comedy. You have to be paying attention or you’ll miss why the audience is laughing.
“Say you were looking at your phone, which you shouldn’t be doing, and you caught the line, but not the context. Then it wouldn’t be funny for you.”
Unlike characters in a straight comedy who are trying to be funny, characters in farces are oblivious to the laughter being created.
“The characters all are sincere and they aren’t aware they are funny. It’s the situation they are in that’s funny. There are silly things that happen, but everybody is serious about what is happening, if that makes sense,” said Lelliott.
Written by Tom Smith, Drinking Habits tells the story of two nuns who are secretly making wine to keep the convent open. Two reporters, who previously had a romantic relationship, go undercover as a priest and a nun, hoping break a major story. Add in a rumour that spies from Rome have been sent to shut the convent down and the end result is a farce full of laughs.
As opening night quickly closes in, Lelliott says rehearsals have been going extremely well. Although the production is full of laughs, that doesn’t mean it’s easier than producing a serious drama.
“I don’t think it is, especially with it being a farce because there’s always serious things going on and reactions to them and people trying to keep secrets,” said Lelliott.
“It’s really important to them. They’ve got a stake in keeping the secret, so you’ve got to have actors that can act sincerely and dramatically while in a script that is funny, in a situation that is funny, and hold all that together. Because as soon as the actors look like they’re overacting or they’re aware what is going on is funny, then it’s like you’ve poked a pin into the balloon.”
The cast is comprised of Jennifer Lyn Squires (as Sister Philamena), Christine Byerley (Sister Augusta), Kelly Schnurr (George), Darlene Barrs (Mother Superior), Braden Schmidt (Paul), Abbey Thiessen (Sally), Janaya Hanley (Sister Mary Catherine) and Scott Krieser (Father Chenille).
In its 92nd consecutive season, RLT is an amateur theatre company. While some people may have a negative view of non-professional productions, Lelliott stresses that RLT productions are more than worthy of a paying audience.
“Amateur people do it for the love of it, which professionals do as well, but amateur theatre doesn’t have to be amateurish. I think that we strive at Regina Little Theatre to give a production that’s as professional as we can,” said Lelliott. “It’s all volunteer run, but we have lighting, sound, costume people, but we don’t have the level that, say, Globe Theatre has. It’s not amateurish. There’s no prompter backstage, there’s no safety net. “It’s the real thing.”
Tickets for Drinking Habits are $23 for adults and $21 for seniors, students and youths. Tickets can be purchased at the RPAC box office by calling 306-779-2277 or online at reginapac.com.