It is official now. The Sicamous Amateur Drama Club is in full rehearsal for their one-act comedy Now Boarding. The play is set to run April 14 to 17. So please set aside a date for laughter and mayhem.
Night at the theatre
Last September, I went to the most impressive, fantastic, breath-stopping performance in my life. No, it was not the circus. I was in London, England in the Queen’s Theatre, a beautiful old theatre, row number four. And there I watched, with my mouth open and in a big grin at the same time, a performance of Les Miserables. Many of you are familiar with the song I Dreamed A Dream, etc. To see this musical/modern-day opera live was amazing. The sets were unbelievable, the acting and singing beyond belief and, for two hours, I was transported beyond the barricades in Paris during Victor Hugo’s time.
The calibre of singers/actors was superb. When I read the bios in the program I learned that even the people in the chorus have extensive musical education and experience in musical theatre.
If you only get to see one play or musical in your life, make sure it is Les Miserables.
There are problems in North America with prices of tickets, however. My ticket in London, best in the house, was around $80. I checked on the Internet to see when another performance of Les Mis would play in North America. Eureka, I found the first one in Los Angeles. Then I checked for a similar seat as I had in London, and gasped. This could not be right! Sure enough, it was (gasp again) $335 for the same seat. How can anyone afford to go to the theatre at these prices? In the London theatre district there are 40 different theatres and there are always rush tickets for a very low price so that young people can afford to see the shows as well. This is as it should be. And what an atmosphere on the streets at around 10 to 10:30 when all the shows end. The streets filled with theatergoers, going for a very late dinner. I walked through throngs of people in the pouring rain, umbrellas getting hooked, back to our hotel. By the time I got there I had stepped in a lot of puddles and was soaked, but still with that happy grin on my face.
Coronation Street
Speaking of England, just recently I watched a documentary on the 50th Anniversary of the British soap, Coronation Street. I am not ashamed to say that I have been a fan for more years than I care to remember.
Even though I did not grow up in England, my street in Holland in The Hague, had a very similar atmosphere.
I am curious to find out if there are any fans here in Sicamous? And if so, let’s get together for a “ping” – that was supposed to be a “pint,” but years ago someone printed ping in error and it has stayed that way in the Canadian Corrie lingo.
A coffee will do instead of a pint. Call me, Carla, at 250-836-4705 if you want to get together.
Art classes
Interested in art classes? Check out Lisa Figuero’s website lisalovesflowers@cablelan.net
Photo club
By popular demand, the Eagle Valley Photography Arts Club is doing an encore presentation of their wonderful slide show on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2 p.m. at the Red Barn Arts Centre.
Admission is $5 at the door. This is a fundraiser for the club. For more info, contact vasso69@hotmail.com, or Dawn at 250-836-3150
The photography club is also putting on an Adobe Photoshop Elements workshop with Tia Lemieux.
A 12-hour course on Feb. 4,9,17,23, March 9 and 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.
The price is $40 for members and $55 for non-members (non-refundable). You must have a laptop computer for this workshop. For more information, call Dawn at 250-836-3150, or Kim 250-836-3248
Choir
Handel’s Messiah, performed by the Monashee Chamber Choir and Orchestra, Saturday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m. at the Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church in Salmon Arm. Tickets are $20 (students free) at Wearabouts in Salmon Arm and True Value in Sicamous.
Vernon performance at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets at Bean Scene, Bean to Coffee and Wentworth Music.
For info, call Mike at 250-836-2763 or Cess at 250-542-2635 (Vernon).
For art news, please contact Carla Krens at 250-836-4705 or carlakrens@telus.net.