SURREY — Winter weather is coming. There will be snow. Well, maybe not here this year, but this story isn't about the weather or whether you should have snow tires on your car. But as I listen to the storms back east and the trafficcrippling snow buildup on the roads, I must say I am glad we live here where the snow mostly stays on the mountains, where it belongs. In short, we can't blame the weather as an excuse to get out of the house to attend a live-theatre event.
Live theatre involves the audience in a way film cannot. You are engaged and part of the production even if you are not on stage. The reaction of an audience does often influence the actors on the stage. It's a mythic social interaction, live and no retakes. You can't stop and redo if something goes wrong. I actually know people who go to live theatre because something might go wrong. Takes all kinds.
Surrey Arts Centre hosts a continuum of theatrical events. Dance, music and drama come to life on the stages with productions from both professional and community groups. There is plenty of parking and enhanced amenities. Access is easy and central. Tickets to events are reasonable. So what is keeping you at home? Are you afraid of the social interaction required with a large group of people? I know, I know. It's just not for everyone. But just in case you are ready to try live theatre, here are some choices.
Arts Club Theatre Company, in association with Pacific Theatre Company, brings Larry Shue's The Foreigner to Surrey Arts Centre's Main Stage from Feb. 18 to 28 (shows Tuesday to Saturday at 8 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets $29 to $46, 604-501-5566, Tickets.surrey.ca).
The Arts Club, a professional theatre company, has had great success with its On Tour program, especially in Surrey. The three shows a year have gained audience members every year. If you haven't tried this fare yet, The Foreigner just might be your cup of tea. This funny farce (most people seem to like farce) asks you, the audience: Can you keep a secret?
In this script, only the audience and Charlie know that while on vacation at a fishing lodge in rural Georgia, he's decided the way to get some peace and quiet is to masquerade as a foreigner who can't speak English. I like this already. Haven't you ever done that while on a long bus ride or travelling by air?
Of course, like Charlie, you may hear people's assorted secrets and scandals — from silly to sinister. Join the audiences across North America who have laughed at this secret situation. It is more than just funny, though; director Evan Frayne says, "it's a tale of tolerance, friendship and the magic of kindness." Just what we need in all our lives: a little more kindness and understanding.
While it may be more difficult as an adult to change your preferences and interests, it can be done. But of course, if we really want live theatre to thrive (the answer here is, yes we do), then we should have live-theatre events available for children. Make it part of their education.
Imagine That! Productions, under the direction of Faith Toronchuk, has been offering not only kid-friendly productions for many years, but also training and theatre classes.
The upcoming show presented by Imagine That! is The Magical Lamp of Aladdin, dramatized from The Arabian Nights' Entertainment and written by Tim Kelly. This is a fun and colourful show, and great for the whole family. That includes those adults who haven't yet discovered the joys of live theatre.
This is the classic story of Aladdin (Ian Frayne), his monkey sidekick Alakazam (Ella de Bulnes) and the beautiful Princess Jasmine (Jessa Martens). Meet magician Jammal (Zavier Tanner) and his sister Halima (Abigail Davyduck), who try to trick Aladdin in a malicious scheme to acquire a magical lamp containing a wishgranting genie.
There's a large cast of kids and plenty of performance dates beginning Feb. 27, all at The Venue (5708 Glover Rd., Langley). Tickets ($15) are available at Brownpapertickets.com/event/1171285, which pops up conveniently when you visit the website Imaginethatplace.com. It may not be as easy as rubbing a magic lamp and have a genie to do your bidding. But there is magic in this world of live theatre. You just have to find it.