By Leora Collingridge, BOC producer
The cast and crew of Carman’s Back on Cue Theatre are in their final crescendo putting the finishing touches on their latest production, The Horizon, which takes the stage at Carman Collegiate Community Theatre on Nov. 7 and 8.
Susan Mooney, a production executive for Carman’s local theatre organization Back on Cue (BOC), said she loves theatre people for their special joy of living that shines through in their personalities. She added that they make her laugh, think and sometimes even bring her to tears, and she is impressed by the vast array of artistic talent in the small community.
The comedic drama is set in a personal care home where seniors are discovering and creating their new normal lives. BOC actors and actresses, many of them younger performers, are taking on the daunting task of portraying 80-year-old residents.
Actresses Evelyn Hoogerdijk, Lisa Pinkerton and Christan Froese transform themselves completely in voice, tone, movement, appearance and facial expression. It is an interesting phenomenon to watch the performers lose their own personas — even their names — as they transition from reality to their stage characters. The director and crew begin referring to the cast by their character names without even realizing it, and the actors naturally respond.
Elderly male residents are portrayed by Jim Robson and Craig Blagden, whose characters are polar opposites yet share many circumstances in common. The care home staff, played by Deana Gauld, Jeff Knight and Jaclynn Knight, take on equally challenging roles. Jaclynn, a high school student, plays a young woman, while Jeff Knight and Deana Gauld also portray younger people convincingly. Gail Aubin rounds out the cast.
The expression “becoming your character” is no exaggeration in this gripping story of hilarity, tense drama and adventure. Director Faye Harms draws inspiration from a favourite Red Skelton quote about how laughter can help ease heartache, even if only for a few seconds.
In partnership with the Golden Prairie Arts Council and the Boyne Lodge Campus Charity, BOC invites audiences to come, laugh, cry and reflect with the talented cast and crew of The Horizon.
