Theatre festival opens weeklong run in Labrador tonight
Happy
Valley-Goose Bay is hosting the 63rd annual provincial drama festival, beginning tonight and running until April 6.
The event opens at 8 p.m. at Lawrence O’Brien Auditorium in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. It’s the first time the festival has been hosted in the theatre, and the first time in Happy Valley-Goose Bay since 1981.
The show will showcase work from seven community theatre groups across the province, including Corner Brook’s Off-Broadway Players and Stephenville’s Bay Theatre. Other groups performing include the host Mokami Players, Northern Lights and the Carol Players from Labrador West, Gander’s Avion Players and School Zone Productions from St. John’s.
Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in creative and theatrical talent, said a government release. The drama festival is the ideal venue to showcase the work of amateur theatre groups who enjoy working together and sharing their artistic talents with appreciative audiences.
Michael Chaisson, a St. John’s actor, will adjudicate the festival. He has worked as an actor, director, dramaturg and artistic director in venues across Canada, beginning in the 1970s in Vancouver. Most recently he worked with Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival, performing in the 2012 summer production of “The Fly Fisher’s Companion.”
Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, says for more than 60 years this festival has showcased numerous performances, and has entertained audiences in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We appreciate the tremendous opportunities that the festival provides for people who want to get involved in the performing arts, and so we have been very proud to support this festival through the years,” the news release stated.
Robin McGrath, a writer based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, will review all seven plays for The Western Star and The Telegram. McGrath is a poet, novelist, essayist and radio broadcaster.
She is a member of the Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador and The Writers’ Union of Canada, and she serves on the editorial board of Them Days Magazine and the editorial board of Killick Press.
Her reviews begin Monday.