After the pandemic forced the closure of the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach almost 18 months ago, the ECHO Players Community Theatre Society is back with a passion in their 2021-22 season.
They present four thrilling main stage productions, the fundraising favourite Spam and Maple Syrup (de Turd), the Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival, and a show spearheaded by the group’s younger members, the ECHO Youth Players.
ECHO’s first main stage offering is Yesteryear, by Joanna McClelland Glass, which will run Oct.7 until Oct. 24. Directed by Stephen Torrence, Yesteryear is a beautifully written comic love story with great characters, some backroom tippling, gossip, hockey talk, salty language and even a local bordello. Sponsored by Windsor Plywood.
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Prepare to be spellbound this holiday season as ECHO Players presents NARNIA: The Musical, from Dec. 9 until Dec. 31. Directed by guest director Brian Mather, Narnia: The Musical is a dramatization of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first and most famous of C.S. Lewis’ world-renowned series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Please Note: this production is not a part of the season ticket package. Sponsored by Quality Foods
Sylvia by A. R. Gurney, directed by Don Harper, will play from Feb. 17 until March 6, 2022. Empty-nesters Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan. But when Greg is approached by a dog in the park, his mid-life crisis takes on a whole new meaning. Greg and “Sylvia” form an immediate and profound mutual bond, but Kate sees this new pet in a very different light - a barrier to her career advancement, to travel, and to the newly found independence that comes with no longer having children at home. Sponsored by Berwick in Qualicum Beach
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For the final Mainstage production of the season, ECHO Players presents Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor’s How It Works (April 21 - May 8), directed by Karen Golden. In this story we meet four fascinating characters; Al, his ex-wife Donna, their troubled daughter Brooke, and Al’s new partner Christine – an outspoken but compassionate outsider. We follow the journey of these characters with humour and grace, moving seamlessly from past to present and back again. As we do, we discover the power of storytelling to heal broken lives. How it Works deals with internal struggle, abuse addiction and recovery. It does it with humour, sensitivity and a deep understanding - coupled with a profound respect for – individual humanity. Sponsored by Qualicum Beach Memorial Services.
In announcing the club’s return to live theatre after such a long hiatus, president Alistair McVey is thrilled to welcome audiences back in person.
“As the curtain rises at the Village Theatre this fall, we hope you will put your trust in us to ensure you are safely able to enjoy another entertaining season of live community theatre with ECHO Players.”
Tickets for ECHO Players’ 2021-22 season go on sale in September with a new season ticket and holiday production offering. Official media sponsor is the PQB News.
Visit www.echoplayers.ca for information.
– NEWS Staff, submitted