SURREY — And now it is April. Spring, for sure. And the arts scene is just blooming with choice events. Go see and do.
Of course, I can only offer a few choices each week. Community theatre groups, arts societies, our arts centres and music providers have a wealth of activities for your participation, whether as a performer or audience. A good way to find out more about what’s on is to join the Arts Council of Surrey, Semiahmoo Arts, or get on the mailing list for Surrey Arts Centre. These are all excellent sources of events calendars. Get on the lists, and pass the word along.
Surrey Little Theatre’s spring play, and the company’s entry in Theatre BC’s Fraser Valley Zone Festival, is The Drawer Boy. This gently humorous look at relationships was written by Canadian playwright Michael Healey. The production runs at SLT from April 17 to May 17 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, 8 p.m. start; there are three Sunday matinees as well.
SLT has had a tremendously successful season so far, with most houses sold out. Of course, the theatre holds just 76 patrons at a time, so you could say it isn’t much effort to sell the house. Au contraire! It takes a great deal of effort by many volunteers to get the word out and always entice new audience members. We often forget that selling tickets to a community theatre show takes an all-out effort, not just putting up a few posters.
But advertising is essential, and I have found over the years that word of mouth tops the list in this city. If you have discovered a great little place that delivers watchable live theatre, don’t keep it to yourself. Share. Tell a friend. Even better, take a group of friends to this production.
The talented cast includes Mike Busswood, who has won 11 awards with Theatre BC for his past performances. Barry Walker, from North Vancouver, and Aaron Elliott, of White Rock, complete this small cast.
OK, so you want to know the plot as well before you commit to actually booking tickets. The Drawer Boy replays the adventures of a young actor from a Toronto theatre group who visits the rural Ontario home of two elderly bachelor farmers to “research†farm life for a new play. The young actor is based on real-life actor/director Miles Potter.
Director June Ainsworth relates the vital contributions of this cast. “Working with the three actors in this play has reaffirmed my belief in the collective nature of the creative process,†she said. “When we have questions about the script, each of us has answers, imagery and motivations to suggest. This team has been eager to try new ideas and, if they don’t work, to try again another way.â€
It is, you see, more than just memorizing words on a page.
Tickets are $15, but there is a special two-for-one promotion for everyone attending the productions on April 17 and 18. For reservations call 604-576-8451, email reservations@surreylittletheatre.com, or go to www.brownpapertickets.com. Visit www.surreylittletheatre.com for more information.
This time of year calls out for liturgical music – just as Christmas does. The Handel Society of Music is presenting two concerts of “St. John Passion†by J.S. Bach. And nothing says spring better than Bach. The Friday, April 4 concert is at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish, 140 Moody St., Port Moody, and the Saturday, April 5 concert is at Good Shepherd Church, 2250 150th St., Surrey, also starting at 7:30 p.m. The choir and orchestra is conducted by Johan Louwersheimer. Tickets ($20/15) are available at the door, or phone 604-585-9102 for the Surrey concert.
In the world of visual arts, Just Shoes, a juried art exhibition, can be viewed at Newton Cultural Centre (13530 72nd Ave., Surrey) from April 5 to 30, with an opening reception on Saturday, April 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. If you haven’t located Newton Cultural Centre yet, it is time you did. It is a bit tricky to enter (only eastbound on 72nd Avenue), but once you figure it out, you will be glad to have discovered this space. Its “black box†theatre has already been a well used venue, and the classroom space has been a bonus to the community. While there, you can join the Arts Council of Surrey (office located at the entrance), pick up a Spotlight (the arts council’s monthly newsletter) and also check out the art gallery. You never know what you might find when you walk through the door.
melminty@telus.net