Brier fever is invading St. Albert in January 2010 and it’s named The Black Bonspiel of Willie MacCrimmon.
This W.O. Mitchell production is booked as entertainment during the Continental Cup celebrating St. Albert’s 150th anniversary and the organizing committee has tapped Maralyn Ryan to direct this light-hearted, whimsical Faustian tale.
Ryan, the founding artistic director of St. Albert Children’s Theatre, first introduced this humorous take on curling fanaticism in 1985 as a co-production between the children’s troupe and the St. Albert Public Library.
Once again she is holding auditions for the upcoming show to be held in the lounge of the newly renovated curling rink.
“It’s a great script. It has all the elements of great theatre. It has humour, pathos and familiar people, people who are supportive of each other. People who stand up for each other,” says Ryan.
“It deals with the whole sport of curling. It’s full of ritual, challenge and passion. It’s about competition. It’s about tricking the devil.”
In The Black Bonspiel, Willie, a dour shoemaker in small-town Alberta, lives for curling. He makes a deal with the devil to win the Brier in return for selling his soul. Willie makes a pact to curl in hell at the Celestial Brier upon his death. To avoid destiny, Willie takes on the devil’s crew of Judas Iscariot, Macbeth and Guy Fawkes.
“I’d really like to issue a special invitation to curlers as well as actors to audition. I can work with anybody. If you come with commitment and passion for curling and acting, we can create a wonderful theatrical experience.”
Ryan is also looking for individuals interested in back stage work such as stage manager, props and set assistants.
While the actual Continental Cup is played out at Servus Credit Union Place, five performances are scheduled from Jan. 14 to 16 in the curling club’s lounge that boasts a seating capacity of 250 people.
“We’ve always assisted with the International Children’s Festival and we’d like to have the building used. We’re not using it and this is a perfect opportunity. I keep saying this is a community facility and this is a perfect way to demonstrate it,” says St. Albert Curling Club president Doug McLennan.
Auditions are Friday, Oct. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Rendevous 2011 St. Albert 150th anniversary offices, 109B - 50 St. Thomas St. Entrance is on Perron Street.
How can the actors prepare? “Just have a shot of whiskey,” laughs Ryan.
