LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
A romantic comedy begins at the Village Theatre next week, filled with humour, life lessons and a well-loved cast and crew.
“It is an exceptional group of people working on this show who are incredibly inspiring in their lives and on the stage,” said 25-year-old Maggie Kirk who plays a lead role in Be My Baby. “So before I even read the script I wanted to be part of the show.”
Kirk began acting with Echo Players 15 years ago. Some of the admiral people she’s referring to in the upcoming production include director of the play, Eillen Butts along with veteran local actors Rosalee Sullivan (president of Bard to Broadway Theatre Society) and Alistair McVey (president of Echo Players), among others in the cast of six.
Butts is originally from Montreal and has been in the area since 1976. She joined Echo Players shortly after her arrival. She was a local science teacher and librarian for 33 years in the area.
Butts has directed and acted in a number of Echo Players productions. She said she’s a big fan playwright Ken Ludwig.
“I really, really like his work, so I was scrolling through his scripts and I came across this one,” she said. “He’s got a wicked sense of humour and he just seems to have a knack of putting people in unusual combinations.”
The play surrounds a young couple who decides to adopt a baby. They send their fromer respective guardians to pick up the child, but it turns out the two can’t stand each other.
The play is set in the 1960s and includes some vintage clothing and other interesting costumes crafted by costume manager Celia Wesselman.
“She could make a gown out of a paper bag,” said Kirk. “She’s able to tweak and pull and trim and twist and all of a sudden you’re in this magical piece. From wedding dresses to house robes to fat suits, you run the gamut in this show.”
At the very end of the show there will be a special costume surprise, Butts said.
And people will enjoy the great soundtrack filled with ‘60s music along with some poetry and scripture, said Kirk.
“There’s a little bit of everything!”
Don’t miss Be my Baby playing at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach from Feb. 20 to March 9. Tickets are $19 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $10 for students. Visit the box office during office hours to get tickets, located at 110 West 2nd Ave, call 250-752-3522 or visit www.echoplayers.ca.
Contest: Win two tickets to see Be My Baby. Email reporter@pqbnews.com with “Send me to Be my Baby” in the subject line. Include your name and phone number. Draw will be done Tuesday, Feb. 18.