Last weekend the curtains came down to raucous applause at the concluding performance of The Importance of Being Earnest - written by Oscar Wilde and expertly directed by Martin Clarke. A sold-out run with standing ovations in all six performances underpins the success of the latest of TOTI’s productions and can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
The fine Cast was made up of nine Bowen Islanders who transformed themselves from being our neighbours and friends, to the absorbing characters in the play. Kudos to Frazer Elliot, Calder Stewart, Ainsley Szewchuk, Katalina Bernard, Susan Clarke, Susanna Braund, Graham Ritchie, Michael Epp and Marc Gawthrop for making us believe.
The stage and set design was magnificent, in no small thanks to Maureen Sawasy as Stage Manager, Judi Gedye as Props Master, Shirley Wrinch & Nadyne Hindle for such gorgeous costumes, Jonathan Ritchie for sound, and finally to the creative Set Design and Construction team of Michael Epp and Ian Davidson.
Promotion and ticket sales was skilfully executed by the Publicity team of Jacqueline Massey, Tina Nielsen and Kate Coffey. Frazer Elliot designed and printed the superb Program. Appreciation too to Barbara Wiltshire at Bowen’s Forum and Meribeth Deen at the Undercurrent for their support. Thank you as well to The Bowen Island Pub for the food!
And last but not least, much thanks to Quinn Buchanan at Phoenix Books for much of the brisk ticket sales, to Jack and Julie Headley for making the Tir na nOg Theatre available to us and to the Bowen Island Arts Council for sponsorship of the ever-important insurance.
My oh my, it really does take a village, doesn’t it?
More theatre is on the way. Please watch out for Graham Ritchie’s upcoming production of All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare.
Sincerely,
Martin Clarke
