Smiths Falls Community Theatre Opens Their 2017 Season with a Roaring Farce

Smiths Falls Community Theatre Opens Their 2017 Season with a Roaring Farce - theHumm February 2017

By — Submitted the Smiths Falls Community Theatre

Start with a script that played on the London stage for eight years, then add an all-star cast that loves to work together. You have a formula that virtually guarantees an enjoyable theatre experience.

No Sex Please, We’re British, by Anthony Marriot and Alistair Foot, directed by Nancy Keech, opens at The Station Theatre in Smiths Falls on February 24 and runs until March 5. It is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.

With farces, it’s not often the plot summary that matters most; in this case, however, it is an intriguing one. When a postal accident lands boxes of Scandinavian naughty pictures in the living room of newlyweds Peter (Jamie Schoular) and Frances (Katharine Coleman), they must do everything they can to get rid of them before Peter’s mother (Liz Steinberg) shows up, not to mention his uptight boss at the bank (Mike Adams). Add in a bumbling best friend (played by Robert Del Grande), a policeman (Dave Snider), a bank inspector (Rob Glas), and two “ladies of the evening,” and this day becomes one the happy couple will not soon forget!

Director Nancy Keech said in a recent interview: “we are about one month into rehearsals and the laughs won’t stop. Veteran cast members Jamie Schoular and Robert Del Grande, Liz Steinburg, and Katharine Coleman have welcomed some new faces to the Station Theatre to put on this rollicking farce. The cleverly designed set by Noel White keeps the cast hopping through seven doorways at breakneck speed — not to mention an occasional window! When the rehearsals are this much fun, you know the audience is in for a treat.”

Nancy’s connection to the theatre began at age fifteen, when she was cast as Ado Annie in Oklahoma. Since then, she hasn’t been able to say no to the stage. She has lived in Smiths Falls for twenty-five years, and throughout that time has directed many shows at SFDCI, including children’s theatre, murder mysteries and musicals. Twice before, Nancy directed for the Smiths Falls Community Theatre, doing productions of Waiting for the Parade and The Odd Couple, but this is the first show she has done with an adult cast since the Station Theatre building was completed. She has an excellent vehicle for her polished directing skills: a very funny play and a highly talented cast and crew.

No Sex Please, We’re British runs late February to early March: evening performances are at 7:30pm on February 24 and 25, and March 2 through 4; and matinées at 2pm on February 26 and March 5. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and are available at Special Greetings (8 Russell St. E. in Smiths Falls, cash only), at smithsfallstheatre.com or 283–0300 (credit cards). The website has all the details.

The Smiths Falls Community Theatre’s 2017 play season continues in April with a classic psychological drama, followed by a comedy, the world première of a play of local historical interest, a mystery, and a British-style Christmas pantomime — in that order. It promises to be a stunning year on the Station Theatre stage.

The theatre is offering patrons an opportunity to attend all six plays for just $99. This season ticket comes in the form of a “Six-Pack Flex Pack”. Patrons can select how they want to use their six vouchers to purchase tickets to any of the six shows in the 2017 season. The deal — which offers a savings of almost 20% compared to the regular adult ticket price — begins now and will be on sale until the last day of the first play, March 5. For details, please visit smithsfallstheatre.com .

Paddye Mann —Speaking theLanguage of Clothing - theHumm February 2017

By — Bruce Anderson (submitted Jeff Mills)

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Smiths Falls Community Theatre Opens Their 2017 Season with a Roaring Farce - theHumm February 2017