work has appeared at Fringe Festivals in Victoria and Vancouver and now Karalena Walsh is hoping her latest production will be a hit when the curtain goes up at the Errington War Memorial Hall on October 7 and 8.
DREAMGIRL Productions is a theatrical company that Walsh started in 1998 in Vancouver. It has showcased not only her writing but also pieces written by aspiring writers in Vancouver.
Besides a one-woman show where Walsh performed a variety of monologues that she wrote to an intimate invite only crowd, this is the first show that DREAMGIRL Productions has produced in 10 years since Walsh left Vancouver and moved to the Island.
Walsh feels it is time to get back into the swing of the theatre world and she is presenting two, one-act plays that she has written and produced.
“I thought it was about time that I got back in the saddle so to speak.”
Walsh describes the plays as an over the top view of friendship and relationships with comedy interwoven throughout both productions.
“It is hard to categorize them. They definitely have some comic moments in them,” she said.
Her show, called Scenes from a Lounge will showcase two one-act plays; The Sanction of Marriage and Happy Hour.
The Sanction of Marriage surrounds the trials of friendships and relationships of 30-somethings.
Happy Hour is a quirky play about two strangers, also in their 30s, who meet for the first time in a lounge.
She said the performers in her shows are seasoned actors from Vancouver and include Chris Moon and Scarlett Luke in The Sanction of Marriage and in Happy Hour; Tiffany Mayrhofer, Kathy Bishop, Phil Fredrickson and Sigrid Walsh. The stage managers for the plays are Tracey Unger and Susan Ostermann.
Walsh wrote both plays and said they are fictional and don’t come from any of her personal experiences.
“I just start writing and it comes out. I find the characters and run with them.”
Walsh admitted they are a bit racy and the show is not recommended for those under the age of 16 because of the mature subject matter.
“Most of the plays I write are geared towards the adult crowd because of content and language.”
Walsh, who now resides in Coombs, said she likes to produce new plays that have been written by local talent.
“I find it very rewarding. I look forward to producing my plays and hopefully other local playwright’s plays in the near future,” she admitted.
Walsh is a big fan of comedies and after putting on a number of comedy skits she settled on her first love, the one-
Walsh said she likes the speed and length of shorter productions and finds her writing always ends up favoring this genre of play.
While she has been away from the stage for a while she said the theatre has remained in her heart and she can’t wait to showcase her latest work.
“There’s nothing like watching your writing being performed, it’s exhilarating.”
The plays will debut on October 7 and 8 at the Errington Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $13 and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Cranky Dog Music in Parksville and at The Bookcase in Qualicum Beach.
reporter@pqbnews.com