Goodnight No Disgrace!

Armstrong’s Asparagus Theatre big winner at MAINSTAGE ‘99: Five Thespians!

The Mainstage productions were varied and interesting - it was especially gratifying to note that five of the nine productions were written by Canadian playwrights. Stage 43 of Port Coquitlam opened the festival with A.R. Gurney's comedy, SYLVIA. On Sunday July 4, the Courtenay Little Theatre Club took the stage with Joanna McClelland Glass's dramedy IF WE ARE WOMEN. Michael Mercer's GOODNIGHT DISGRACE was presented by the Okanagan's Asparagus Theatre on Monday, and Pender Solstice Theatre Society presented Tom Stoppard's farce THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND on Tuesday. Norm Foster's romantic comedy THE AFFECTIONS OF MAY was staged by Prince George Theatre Workshop on Wednesday. On Thursday, July 8, the audience was treated to two productions, David Mamet's A LIFE IN THE THEATRE by Terrace Little Theatre and the very original theatre of the absurd soundscape CROSSING, created by John McGie of Theatre West Van. THE FIGHTING DAYS, a biographical drama by Wendy Lill was presented by Sidekick Players of Delta on Friday. Closing the festival on Saturday, was Whitehorse Drama Club's production of DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, a drama by John Shanley.

The audiences in Nanaimo's new PORT THEATRE were large and enthusiastic, with between 400 and 500 filling the seats every night. Many participants noted that they had more people in the audience at their festival performance than during their entire run. In fact, the Pender Island group speculated that the audience that attended their production at the Port was the same size as the total population of their community. The businesses and citizens of Nanaimo welcomed the festival and showed their support in many ways, attending performances, sponsoring productions, events and awards, donating office space and equipment, providing items for the silent auction and giving discounts to Festival participants. The many corporate and individual donors who helped make this festival such a success are listed at the Mainstage '99 website.

The Port Theatre proved to be a very comfortable and professional home for the festival. The participating casts and crews all raved about the friendly, knowledgeable and co-operative technical crew who went out of their way to help ensure the most polished productions possible.

Also drawing raves was adjudicator Glynis Leyshon. Her warm down to earth manner and in-depth knowledge of theatre in general and the festival productions in particular definitely added to the audience enjoyment of the nightly performances and to the participant's understanding of the challenges inherent in their choices and how to best achieve their goals. As a result of her insight and wit, the coffee critiques attracted record crowds.

It was obvious that registrants paid close attention to the Green Room themes noted in previous newsletters - either that or theatre people really do dress weird. In any event, the Green Rooms were a great success and I'm sure that Rocky Horror Night will be talked about for years to come (although not to non-attendees - remember the Oath).

In summary, MAINSTAGE '99 was a great week - a wonderful time to enjoy theatre, meet new friends and re-connect with old ones, to learn and to laugh. Mike Patton and his Mainstage Committee have a right to feel some pride in a job well done. We hope to see you all again July 1 - 8, 2000 in Delta, when The Sidekick Players will do it all again.

Best Production:
(Sponsor: Ascot Financial Services)
Goodnight Disgrace
Asparagus Theatre, Armstrong (OKZ)

Burnaby Trophy (Runner-Up):
(Sponsor: Community Theatre Coalition)
The Affections of May
Prince George Theatre Workshop (CIZ)

Best Director:
(Sponsor: Nanaimo Theatre Group)
Paul Kirkwood-Hackett
Goodnight Disgrace (OKZ)

Best Actress:
(Sponsor: Centra Gas B.C. Inc.)
Mary Sloan
Danny and the Deep Blue Sea
Whitehorse Drama Club (YKZ)

Best Actor:
(Sponsor: Okanagan Zone)
Wayne Empey
The Affections of May (CIZ)

Best Supporting Actress:
(Sponsor: Sharon Lynch)
Maribel Karmazyn
The Fighting Days
Sidekick Players Club (VAZ)

Best Supporting Actor:
(Sponsor: Harbourview Autohaus Ltd.)
Chris Gauthier
Goodnight Disgrace (OKZ)

Best Set (Design):
(Sponsor: Royal Bank, Business Banking, Nanaimo)
Wayne Ashton, Mark Levey, & Paul Kirkwood-Hackett, Goodnight Disgrace (OKZ)

Best Technical (Lights & Sound):
(Sponsor: WestSun)
John McGie & Carl Craig
Crossings, Theatre West Van (NSZ)

Best Costumes:
(Sponsor: Kamloops Players)
Terrace Little Theatre, A Life in the Theatre

Best Ensemble Acting:
(Sponsor: Howard Johnson Harbourside Hotel)
If We Are Women
Courtenay Little Theatre, (NIZ)

Certificate of Merit for Significant Artistic Achievement in Original Script and Visual Concept:
John McGie, Crossings (VAZ)

The Sydney Award
(Best Backstage Co-ordination):
(Sponsor: Eaton‘s)
Goodnight Disgrace, (OKZ)

The Eric Hamber Award:
(Sponsor: Harmac Pacific Inc.)
Jim Harding, Executive Director (‘87-99)
(Distinguished long-time Service to Community Theatre)

Darrell Phillips Memorial Award -Workshop Plays Award:
Tony Arnold, Village Wooing
Welcome Theatre Co., (NIZ)

Jessie L. Richardson Scholarship:
Michael Dickinson, Delta, BC

Sid Williams Memorial Scholarship:
Jennifer Konopelski, Powell River, BC

Graphics Competition:
Season Package, Nanaimo Theatre Group

See you in Delta, July 1-8, 2000 for MAINSTAGE 2000!

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