A New South Surrey theatre company, 16th Avenue Productions, is currently in rehearsal for its inaugural production, the Canadian classic Waiting For The Parade, by John Murrell.
Presenting a view of the Second World War through the eyes of five very different women living in Calgary, the show, directed by company founder Wendy Bollard, will run from April 28 to May 7 at Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd.
Both a professional actor and singer, Bollard said she is no stranger to the soundscape of World War Two-era songs, which will add emotional poignancy to the production.
She has sung many of them – including a personal favourite, I’ll Be Seeing You – as the leader of her own band and as a vocalist with Dal Richards Orchestra.
But she also chose the play as the first for the company because she has long loved the script and the story it tells – and she hopes to achieve an as-it-happened immediacy and authenticity that makes the era fresh to audiences.
These women didn’t know whether the war would be over in 10 days or 10 years – how do you keep your spirits up through something like that?,” she said.
To add extra authenticity, Bollard said, she has interviewed local women who lived through the war.
For ticket information, visit www.16thave
productions.com or call 604-536-7535.