The last two plays I’ve been in have been more dramatic than comedic. Community Theatre groups like comedies because they put bums in seats. Audiences love to go to the theatre to be transported, to laugh and then go home, without giving much thought to what they’ve seen. And I don’t mean that in a negative sense. We are all so overwhelmed and overworked these days that comedy fits the bill. The laughter de-stresses us and we go home happy. And comedy isn’t easy, not everyone has the timing or the acting chops to pull off a good comedy. However, ask any actor and they will tell you that every now and then, it’s nice to try something a little different. I was lucky enough to get two opportunities to do that this year.

In the fall I did The Memory of Water with a great cast and crew in Langley. The play had very funny, almost slapstick moments as three sisters come home to bury their mother. But as that premise suggests, there were heart-breaking moments as the tension of the situation brought up past conflicts and secrets. I think all the women in the play cried at some point. I did, in several places, every night. I was in pyjamas for most of the play, with my hair tied up. My make-up was minimal and I know I sometimes had ugly-cry face. It was not a glamorous role, but it was very enjoyable, cathartic even. Heaven knows sibling and parent issues are universal. The cast was close knit and I think our strong relationships offstage played well onstage. We struggled at first to define what we were doing, but we finally decided on “ dark comedy” as “dark, funny, touching family drama” wouldn’t fit on the marquee.

Early in the new year I made a last minute decision to audition for another play with Langley, Blood Relations, a Canadian playwright’s take on the Lizzie Borden story. While it had a few laughs, it was more of a psychology thriller, even though we all know what happened in the story. Some audience members called it creepy, which was exactly what we were going for in some parts. Again, the cast and crew were great, and the relationships strong, on and off the stage.

I have enjoyed all of my theatrical endeavours. Each one has given me something to remember with fondness. Each one has given me new realizations, new skills and new relationships. However, these last two productions have given me more satisfaction as I felt I was really doing something good, something to be really proud of. Our production of Blood Relations won three awards at the Fraser Valley Zone Festival, and garnered six nominations from the Community Theatre Coalition and the Memory of Water got three nominations so I guess my pride was justified. Congratulations to everyone involved with these, and other productions. Theatre is important and I am continually blessed to have the privilege to be a part of it.