After singing rock n’ roll on the road for 12 years throughout Canada and the United States, Marilyn Holt decided to settle down, but her passion and talent for the stage couldn’t be kept a secret for long.
Holt will play Mildred Bagshot in Bard to Broadway’s upcoming production of Murdered to Death, a roll she sort of stumbled upon, but turned out to be perfect for.
It was her niece she was taking to audition for the play, having told her it didn’t matter if she got a part it was just important to audition.
“I said, ‘you have to put yourself out there or you’ll never get anywhere in life.’”
Holt had previously performed in Echo Players’ Menopositive The Musical with a singing role and was recognized and encouraged to audition for Murdered to Death while at the audition.
Her niece reiterated her words of wisdom and so Holt gave it a shot. She happened to have the script from Menopositive in her car and read the part of a British woman, without knowing Murdered to Death was a British play. She sang a Neil Young song at the audition and called it a day, not thinking she would be hearing anything back.
“And then Gary (the director) phoned me two weeks later and said we’d like to offer you the part of Mildred Bagshot,” she said. “I was so honoured and so excited.”
Holt performed theatrical rock shows during her time on the road, but as far as acting goes, this will only be her second role, her first non-singing role.
Although Holt has an incredibly busy July planned she accepted the part and is having the time of her life, she said.
The play is unbelievably humorous and clever, Holt said, and the cast is brilliant.
“I just think every part (Gary) has chosen for people, they are perfect,” she said. “Everyone has just risen to the occasion. I think people are really going to enjoy the show. I think they're going to have a fun night.”
Holt also spoke very highly of the set, designed and built by Roger Lappin, which flips around for the Ann of Green Gables set, Bard to Broadway's other show this season.
Murdered to Death is a comedy, murder-mystery spoof, starting July 4 at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach and running until August 6. For more information visit www.b2btheatre.com or call 250-752-4470.
reporter@pqbnews.com