Vector Theatre's inaugural show set for Walker House and Bruce County Museum

Vector Theatre is in rehearsals for its inaugural show, “Mary's Wedding,” to be performed next month at the Walker House in Kincardine, and the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton.

 

Formed by award-winning director Carol LeNestour of Kincardine, the fledgling theatre company is currently using her basement to rehearse which actually provides the intimate setting required for this play and for the two venues where it will be staged.

 

A year ago, the Bruce County Museum was looking for a show to complement its First World War exhibits, marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, said LeNestour. She proposed “Mary's Wedding,” an historical dream play by Calgary's Stephen Massicotte. It tells the story of Mary and Charlie, two young lovers in rural Canada, as recalled in Mary's dream, the night before her wedding.

 

She relives meeting her beloved Charlie, falling in love, receiving his letters from the trenches of war, and imagining his life there as he experiences the horrors of battle. From the blossoming of their love on the vast prairies to the bloody battlefields of France's Moreuil Wood, “Mary's Wedding” captures a time of innocence and courage with rare sensitivity and beauty.

 

With the play selected, it was up to LeNestour to put together a cast and crew. Kincardine Theatre Guild veterans Alanna Boucher and Steven Travale have taken on the roles of Mary and Charlie, while Elaine Slade is producer, Jackie Rosart and Pat O'Donell helped with costumes, and LeNestour's husband, Brian Reid, is assisting with technical aspects. Set design and construction are also being taken on by LeNestour and Reid.

 

“It's the first play we've done,” says LeNestour, noting that rehearsals began in April with a lot of table work – discussing and understanding the history of the period during the First World War, in order to give context to the play.

 

“That's important,” adds Boucher, “in order to bring the show to the stage properly.”

 

Boucher, 25, and Travale, 17, received the script about a year ago and were immediately onboard.

 

“We've both been in a number of plays with the theatre guild, but we've never been on stage together before,” says Travale.

 

Boucher says the play happens five years after the action (as recalled in the play) has taken place.

 

“The show is progressing really well,” she says. “It's a very intimate play and with just the two of us on stage, it requires a great development of character.”

 

LeNestour directed the Kincardine Theatre Guild production of “I Oughta Be In Pictures,” and won the Western Ontario Drama League's best director award. Boucher starred in that show and won for best actor. LeNestour also directed the theatre guild productions of “Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun,” and “Storm Warning,” and has done work with the Bluewater Summer Playhouse in Kincardine, and Sheatre in Wiarton.

 

She hopes to establish Vector Theatre as a company producing shows for small, intimate settings. “If there's a play we think will work, we'll do it,” she says.
 

“Mary's Wedding” will be performed at the Walker House, Kincardine, Friday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m., as a fund-raiser for the Paddy Walker Heritage Centre.

 

Limited, general seating tickets are available in advance at Jerome Flowers and Gifts in downtown Kincardine, or at the door. Cost is $15 each for veterans/students; and $20 each for adults.

 

The show will also be performed at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m.

 

Limited, general seating tickets are available in advance by contacting the museum at 519-797-2080; or at the door. Cost is $12 plus HST for members/veterans/students; and $18 plus HST for adults.