All the best in community theatre from the Cowichan region, all under one roof.
Theatre B.C's annual South Island zone festival is being staged next week in Cedar, giving you five different chances to take in some drama.
Troupes from Shawnigan Lake, Duncan and Ladsymith are promising laughter, chills and Shakespeare as Yellow Point Drama Group hosts a four-night competition at Cedar Hall between groups vying to qualify for the Theatre B.C.'s ultimate event Destination Mainstage in July.
Here's what you can watch:
May 4: Yellow Point Drama Group (YPDG) presents three one-act plays, including Dapper Dan, a lighthearted original play featuring music of the 1930s, written and directed by Brian March, who also stars in the lead role. YPDG will also perform the thought-provoking Judgement Call, directed by Barrie Baker, and featuring three umpires at a training camp recounting how one safe call can add up to strike.
Then, North Oyster Players will perform the endearing classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Katherine Cunningham.
May 5: Get set for spine-tingling fun as Ladysmith Little Theatre presents Ravenscroft, written by Don Nigro, directed by Gordon McInnis, and billed as both "funny and frightening." In this Gothic thriller, ghosts roam, skeletons rattle and five dangerous women attempt to lead Inspector Ruffing astray as he investigates a murder in a remote house.
May 6: Shawnigan Players brings Shakespeare's beloved tragedy Romeo and Juliet to the stage, directed by Alex Gallacher. Fall in love again with the 400-year old tale of these star-crossed, ill-fated lovers and their feuding families. Expect swordplay, witty Shakespearean wordplay and a balcony scene to make audiences swoon.
May 7: Mercury Players from Duncan presents Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun, directed by Marinus Vesseur and Alex Gallacher, and written by acclaimed Canadian playwright Norm Foster, who describes his play as "the moving story of a friendship between Robert, a mentally challenged man, and Holly, a pregnant young woman." This poignant story begins with a chance meeting at a bus stop.
The festival runs from May 4 to 7, then wraps up with the Bowen Park Swing Band entertaining at the Awards Gala on May 10 at Cedar Hall.
Tickets are $20 a night, or $60 for a four-night pass. Gala tickets are $25 with dinner or $15 for the awards and entertainment only.
Tickets are available at the door at Cedar Hall, 2388 Cedar Road, by phone at 250-245-7516 or by emailing reservations@yellowpointdramagroup.org. For more information, go to www.yellowpointdramagroup.org.