Drama Beat

New West Theatre rocks the rodeo

Tuesday, 29 June 2010 10:32 Richard Amery

New West Theatre has gone country for their latest production, ‘Rockin’ the Rodeo,’ which runs July 2-24. Jessica Ens and Ife Abiola are helping rocking the rodeo, July 2-24. Photo by Richard Amery
“We did a country show a few years ago. This one came about due to audience interest,” artistic director Hanson said adding New West Theatre receives a lot of audience feedback and does their best to accommodate their requests.

“We had requests to do another country music show, so we thought it would be great to do something to appeal to hard core country music fans,” he continued adding the music runs from Buck Owens to Taylor Swift.

“We wanted to keep it accessible to mainstream audiences. We’re fortunate country music is at the roots of a lot of pop and rock music today. There’s lots of crossover. Like the Eagles, who have one of the top selling album of all time, had country roots.”

Like most New West shows, comedy is a big part of the production.
“Comedy and country music have always coexisted on shows like Hee Haw and the Grand Old Opry,” Hanson observed adding both relate to ordinary people and ordinary experiences.
“So there should be lots of laughter. I think the audience will really enjoy themselves.”
Performer Fred Hillyer is glad to be back with New West after taking a break for a couple years. He is especially looking forward to the comedic aspect of the show.

“I always look forward to the comedy and I helped write some of it. Plus we have some of the original comedy veterans working together in the sketches. Kelly Roberts is there and he’s definitely one of the funniest people I know. And Erica (Hunt) is always great and Scott (Carpenter) is always funny,” he continued adding the cast is what he missed the most about being away from New West.

Importance of Being Earnest auditions coming up

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 09:34 Richard Amery

If you want to have some fun with one of the oldest amateur theatre groups in Canada, then get

involved with the Playgoers of Lethbridge’s February production of Oscar Wilde’s hilarious comedy ‘The Importance of Being Earnest.’
Auditions for the production take place June 28-29 at the Bowman Arts Centre at 7 p.m. each evening.
Playgoers are looking for five male and four female actors in an age range from the 20's to 60's
They are also looking for anyone interested in becoming part of the crew (set painting, set construction, costuming, make-up, stage hand, props, etc)
The Importance of Being Earnest is a witty outlook on the Victorian upper class, exposing a world of shallow indifference to true love. Young Jack and his good friend Algernon find themselves in a ridiculous situation after their fiancées learn they are coincidentally engaged to the same man. A glorious rendition of mistaken identity, Wilde's play is sure to get people of all ages and social class grinning, if not realizing themselves the importance of being earnest.
Everyone is welcome to attend the auditions.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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The Tooth Fairy is a load of laughs — and that’s the ‘tooth’

Thursday, 06 May 2010 20:19 Richard Amery

When you hear a production includes not only puppets, but the tooth fairy, you know it’s going to be an interesting experience. The Tooth Fairy is a ‘hoot’. Photo by Old Trout Puppet Workshop
So The Old Trout Puppet Workshop’s production of ‘The Tooth Fairy, which New West Theatre has running at the Yates through to May 8, does not disappoint.

In an hour’s span, it covers a range of emotions. It begins kind of sadly as the cast, clad in grey with big black boots, marches their way onto the stage and introduces the main character, Abigail, a little girl who has a perfect smile which is beloved by the whole village, but who is kept inside by her strict grandfather to preserve her smile.
But it soon becomes plain hilarious, especially watching the puppets, most of which the actors wear over their heads and maneuver their arms with sticks.

Abigail, played by Kyla Read, really does have the perfect smile, which is enhanced when she puts a mini boat around her neck and her grandpa’s Viking helmet on her head while grandpa puts a scare into her about the evil Tooth Fairy. This causes Abigail to run away from home to find the tooth fairy and stop him from taking her perfect teeth.

The Tooth Fairy features puppets and fun for all ages

Tuesday, 04 May 2010 14:00 Richard Amery

New West Theatre ends their season May 5-8 with an unusual show from the Old Trout Puppet Workshop in the Yates Theatre. The Tooth Fairy runs May 5-8 at the Yates.

The Tooth Fairy runs May 5-8 at the Yates.

Old Trout Puppet Workshop is a Calgary based group which produces plays prominently featuring puppets. The group tour across Canada and the world.
Their latest production, ‘The Tooth Fairy’ happened to be the right play at the right time.
“They are a company that does plays that feature puppets. But it’s not just a puppet show. These are intricate wood carved puppets as well as live actors, ” said Jeremy Mason, New West Theatre General manager.
“It’s recommended for ages seven and up. It really appeals to all ages. Young people and adults can get different levels of appreciation of it. It’s quite phenomenal. It has a very different quirky sort of style,” Mason continued.
“It’s about a young girl who goes looking for the Tooth Fairy. And basically the Tooth Fairy takes all of the young kids’ teeth and gives them to elderly people who are losing their teeth,” he described.